I just listened to the song "Don't Play Me" on The Truth album and I was just wondering what people thought he was talking about in that song, his message so to speak?

One line in the song states: I been to the mountain top and it ain't what you say, don't play me. Is he saying that M. L King is lying when he said that in his I have a dream speech, or is Prince just misunderstanding what M. L. king was saying? Or what?

Is don't play me referring too radio stations not playing him or don't play me like, "Don't try and pull one over my head, I'm not stupid?"

This is a very deep song, what and or who is Prince talking about in this song?

yeah very deep.. I like The Truth album


after that one his lyrics fell off the earth. not sure what he spouts now

It's a double entendre.
Don't Play Me as in don't take me for a fool.
and Don't Play Me as in leave my bootlegs alone/and or a finger to radio.
So maybe a triple entendre and all bases covered.

He's talking about the music industry.

When he says "I've been to the mountaintop, and it ain't what it seems". He's sayying being a superstar isn't what it appears to.

When he says Don't Play Me, he's talking about radio stations.

Although, it could have a double meaning, too.

Flowers2 said:

what other version is there besides the acoustic

Sdldawn said:

err rather, I should have said live..

Flowers2 said:

ahh ok gotcha

Flowers2 said:

U referrin to when he played at the lifetime achievement award?
b4 he started playin, the stool was in his way so he picked it up and threw it down off to the side of the stage
then threw his guitar off over his back when he was through playin (i wonder if it broke )
the man means wat he says y'all "don't play me"
What u think he means by wat he said when he got up on the stage... "everything u think is true"

Paris9748430 said:

I agree with this.

Flowers2 said:

JayJai said:

he played live at the Webby Awards... not sure what he meant by that statement, but at that time he said that, him and Mani were divorcing..

mplsmike said:

yes.. I have these moments not realizing what I type lol ..

Flowers2 said:

Its early

mplsmike said:

lol it is.. I think I had typer's block lol .. I do need some coffee

Flowers2 said:

Im having some Coke

I just went and pulled up that live version

LOVE this song!!!

I think this is my song for the day .. still playing it

Purple123 said:

...prince is talking about GOD and the JOY of saying His Name...mzsexybaby

Paris9748430 said:

That's exactly what I thought this song meant.

mzkqueen03 said:

That's not wat the entire song is about mzkqueen
That's just a line that backs up the prior line which says "it's all good when u know the only fame"...then it continues..."is the light that comes from God and the joy u get 2 say His name".

I think that this song is probably the most personal interms of his dealings in the music industry. I can't think of another song that is as telling of his experience as this one.

He was saying 'Don't play me for a fool'.

Purple123 said:

Can I be the first to offer 'Had You'?

Paris9748430 said:

Yeah, thats' how it all hit me, too.
I think he also mentions the N-word and non-blacks using that term with him (a definite no-no -- don't play me! lol).

AND, the ending is like a cool double entendre, too - "Don't play me. I already got played.'' Like he's conceding that the music industry played him, too, at one point, but also that, hey, he already got played on radio, so he got one of the things that he wanted - big time airplay ... in the 80s especially.