Entertainment

Demi Lovato's New Song "Games" Has Fans Wondering Who It's About

by Billy Lorusso
Safehouse/YouTube

Oh happy day, Lovatics! Queen Demi's sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me, is finally available to bless our undeserving ears. Since the release of the album's lead single, "Sorry Not Sorry," back in July, fans everywhere have been craving more of Demi's signature powerhouse vocals, emotional lyrics, and IDGAF bops. Of course, if there is one thing Demi is known for, it's writing and singing songs that are influenced by her life. That being said, track number 10 on Tell Me You Love Me, "Games," obviously relates to Demi's personal life, which has fans wondering: Who is "Games" about?

The lyrics to the synth-based pop song show that Demi did not come to play with this album; they read,

Text on 'read', and it ain't no accident Boy, I ain't gon' ask again now you got me in my head Waiting by the phone at night, that's shit that I don't do And I just can't explain what's happening

Sending all these messages alone at night, on Patron at night In the morning different story ain't that right

I don't know why you play these games Come on now say what you wanna say Careful when you play these games You might find out the hard way that two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play these games And you know it's driving me insane Careful when you play these games You might find out the hard way that two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play these games

I date men, but you're acting like a little boy And no, I ain't your little toy Honey, I don't need new friends Figure out just what you want, and what the hell you're waiting on Before you hit my phone again

Sending all these messages alone at night, on Patron at night In the morning different story, ain't that right?

I don't know why you play these games C'mon now, say what you wanna say Careful when you play these games You might find out the hard way that two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play these games And you know it's driving me insane Careful when you play these games You might find out the hard way that two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play

And I know you're used to winning And I'm tired of keeping score But if you're ready to quit it, maybe I can be yours

I don't know why you play these games C'mon now, say what you wanna say Careful when you play these games You might find out the hard way that two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play these games And you know it's driving me insane Careful when you play these games You might find out the hard way that two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play Yeah, two can play

Clearly lines in the song like, "I date men, but you're acting like a little boy" and "if you're ready to quit it, maybe I can be yours" make it seem like the song is pointed at someone in specific. Demi has a long history with ex-boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama and the two were photographed together earlier this year, so maybe it's about him? Or maybe it's just a fun pop song that Demi thought her fans could relate to. Either way, it bops.

In the past, Demi has written songs about her relationships with family and friends, her love life, and her struggles with mental illness and addiction, so it's no surprise at all the songs on Tell Me You Love Me have that same emotional, personal vibe to them. Indeed, the singer spoke with Entertainment Tonight about the inspiration behind the album's first single, "Sorry Not Sorry"; she told the outlet,

The message in that song is for the haters. A lot of people think it's about a relationship, and it could be for other people, but for me it was -- I had never written a song about the bullying that I experienced when I was in middle school. It drove me out of public school and I started home schooling because it got so bad. It [is] just a feel-good song. I had the title idea "Sorry Not Sorry" and I came in with the concept and then we wrote to it. It turned out to be more so about the haters rather than an ex, which was cool, and I think it makes it more relatable for people.

This is Demi Lovato's first studio album since her 2015 masterpiece Confident, and the singer has said this album carries a different sound than her previous works. Though she's recently collaborated on upbeat, dance singles with artists like Cheat Codes and Jax Jones, Demi says Tell Me You Love Me isn't as dance-focused. The singer told Entertainment Tonight back in August, "[Her] music will be more R&B, more soulful and you'll just have to wait and hear the rest."

Tell Me You Love Me comes after a short hiatus from the spotlight for Demi. Shortly before the release of "Sorry Not Sorry" the singer uploaded a picture to Instagram with a heartfelt letter attached to it. The letter reads,

Thank you for allowing me to take the time I needed at the end of last year to step away from all the craziness. I'll admit, I was worried that people would get upset with me. But what I saw was that instead of getting upset, literally every single one of you wrapped your arms around me and showed me how unwavering your love and support is," she wrote. "I'm so happy that I was able to come back to writing music more energized and inspired than ever, and to be able to give my all and more, to this new chapter. 'Sorry Not Sorry' is the first of many songs that I've been working on, and I can't wait for you guys to hear all of them. I hope this song makes you get off your seat and dance like you never have before. This is an anthem for anyone who's ever been hated on and has risen above it and come out from the other side like a f--king savage!!!

If taking time away from the spotlight is what Demi needed to deliver this album, then I'm not mad at all.

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