Don't Play Me
Prince · The Truth
I'm over 30 & I don't smoke weed
I put my ass away & music I've played
aint the type of stereo U're tryin to feed
Don't play me
Don't play me
I use proper English & I'm straight
I'm in the news again for paying dues my friend
And not the type of ganda U prop in my way
Don't play me
Don't play me
I've been to the mountain top & it aint what U say
Don't play me
Don't play me
I'm the wrong color & I play guitar
My only competition is well in the past
Time & time if time existed movin ever so fast
Don't play me
U couldn't play enough of me now
2 make me feel like a star
Don't play me I already do in my car
Don't play me
Don't be mad at me
The curtain puller in the game
Maybe how U call us Niggers aint the same
It's all good when u know the only fame
Is the light that comes from God & the joy U get to say his name
Don't play me
Don't play me
I've seen to the mountain top & it aint what U say
Don't play me
Already got laid
Don't Play Me
Released on Prince's 1996 album The Truth, "Don't Play Me" stands as a pivotal track in his later discography, reflecting the artist's evolving musical direction and personal themes. The song exemplifies Prince's signature blend of funk, R&B, and pop, characterized by its driving rhythm and introspective lyrics that explore the boundaries of artistic control and public perception. Recorded during a period of significant creative experimentation, the track showcases his ability to merge electronic textures with traditional instrumentation, reinforcing his status as a genre-defying icon. As a key component of The Truth, the recording captures the raw energy and vulnerability that defined his work in the mid-to-late 1990s, offering listeners a glimpse into his ongoing dialogue with the music industry and his audience.