Playing Games

"Playing Games" is a song by American singer Summer Walker from her debut studio album, Over It (2019). The song was released as the lead single from the album on August 23, 2019.[1] The extended version features guest vocals from American singer Bryson Tiller. The song samples Destiny's Child's song "Say My Name" (1999).[2]

For the William Wei song also known as "Playing Games", see Play Game.
"Playing Games"
Single by Summer Walker featuring Bryson Tiller
from the album Over It
ReleasedAugust 23, 2019 (2019-08-23)
Recorded2018—2019
GenreR&B
Length2:23 (extended version) (with Bryson Tiller)
2:23 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)London on da Track
Summer Walker singles chronology
"Girls Need Love (Remix)"
(2019)		 "Playing Games"
(2019)		 "Come Thru"
(2019)
Bryson Tiller singles chronology
"Thru the Night"
(2019)		 "Playing Games"
(2019)
Music video
"Playing Games" on YouTube

Critical reception

Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork said that, in the song, Walker "addresses the lame dudes that continue to take her passion for granted" while not acknowledging "their relationship on Instagram".[3] The Fader named it one of the best songs on Over It, reasoning their choice by stating that the chorus is a "full interpolation of one of Destiny’s Child’s most ubiquitous preachings" despite Walker not "phoning it in" and compared it to an old Nelly song.[4]

Music video

The music video was released on October 8, 2019, and was directed by Christine Yuan.[5] Despite being featured on the extended version of the song, Bryson Tiller does not appear in the clip. The video features shots of Walker sitting and lying on a bed surrounded by bright city lights in the backdrop.[6] During the video, Walker has one man tied up and hanging from the ceiling while another one is seen being confined to a chair.[7] Being fed-up with lies, Walker goes on to ignore a man bringing her flowers and apologizing.[5]

Charts

Original version
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 83
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 43
Ireland (IRMA)[10] 76
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 20
UK Singles (OCC)[12] 24
UK R&B (OCC)[13] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[14][15] 16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 9
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[17] 37
US Rolling Stone Top 100[18] 36

Extended version
Chart (2019) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 15
US Rolling Stone Top 100[20] 10

Original version
Chart (2019) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 75
Chart (2020) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22] 64

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[23] Gold 40,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[25] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References
  1. D'Souza, Shaad (August 23, 2019). "Summer Walker drops new single "Playing Games"". The Fader. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  2. Malone, Chris (October 4, 2019). "Summer Walker Is Over It On Her Debut Album". Forbes. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  3. Pierre, Alphonse (October 9, 2019). "Summer Walker - Over It". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  4. "Our 5 favorite songs from Summer Walker's Over It". The Fader. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  5. "Watch Summer Walker's "Playing Games" Video Featuring Bryson Tiller". Rap-Up. October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  6. Robertson, Darryl (October 8, 2019). "Watch Summer Walker's "Playing Games" Video Feat. Bryson Tiller". Vibe. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  7. Lamarre, Carl (October 9, 2019). "Summer Walker Is a Woman Scorned in "Playing Games" Video Featuring Bryson Tiller: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  8. "ARIA Chart Watch #546". auspOp. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  9. "Summer Walker, Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  10. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  11. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 2, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  13. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  14. https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1183838124453126144
  15. "Top 100 Songs: October 19, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  16. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: October 19, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  17. "Rhythmic Songs: December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  18. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. October 10, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  19. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  20. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. October 10, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  21. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  22. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  23. "Canadian single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games". Music Canada. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  24. "British single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 23, 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Playing Games in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  25. "American single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 26, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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