This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas, please
Fold 'em, let 'em hit me, raise it, baby, stay with me (I love it)
Love game intuition, play the cards with spades to start
And after he's been hooked, I'll play the one that's on his heart
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
I wanna roll with him, a hard pair we will be
A little gamblin' is fun when you're with me (I love it)
Russian roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby, when it's love, if it's not rough, it isn't fun (fun)
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
I won't tell you that I love you, kiss or hug you
'Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lyin', I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunnin'
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand 'cause I'm marvelous
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (she's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas, please
Fold 'em, let 'em hit me, raise it, baby, stay with me (I love it)
Love game intuition, play the cards with spades to start
And after he's been hooked, I'll play the one that's on his heart
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
I wanna roll with him, a hard pair we will be
A little gamblin' is fun when you're with me (I love it)
Russian roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby, when it's love, if it's not rough, it isn't fun (fun)
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I got
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
(Mum-mum-mum-mah)
I won't tell you that I love you, kiss or hug you
'Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lyin', I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunnin'
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand 'cause I'm marvelous
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (she's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face (mum-mum-mum-mah)
Lyrics submitted by Technophobia
Poker Face Lyrics as written by Stefani Germanotta Nadir Khayat
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
She's a whore and she's using men and she's so good at hiding it that they don't suspect it until she does it to them?
HAHAHAHAHAH!
Actually, Poker Face is about her having sex with men and putting on a poker face b/c she is fantasizing about women. This is what Lady GaGa says. I dont see where she got this song from that but whatever.
She has actually revealed she's bisexual... so, that's where she got it from, my guess.
she is a hoe...have you seen her videos?
It is certainly about a woman who maintains a cool unfeeling facade, but not necessarily one who is immune to emotional involvement. "Shes gonna love nobody" is the message her face sends, but Russian Roulette is a game with risks for both participants. She prefers to have the upper hand though, concealing any arousal or actual affection, while trying to draw the man in.
It's really too bad it wasn't "She's gonna' love nobody". Even though the song is amazing and has such good meaning, I think the ONLY way it could have been better was if that was the true line, but instead it's "she's got me like nobody". <br /> If it had been what you interpreted it to be, I think it would have synced with the song's theme very well. People who wear a "Poker Face" in a relationship usually can't love, or don't know how. So that line would have been awesome, when I first read the correction, I was a bit disappointed.
nah
@Letmein BRAVO!!! I think you are SPOT ON!!! The rest are just haters who didn't get the real meaning…lol
Ahhh.. I think I actually got it.
She's with these guys and they're so blinded by her that they think she loves them, but she just wants their money, and that's all she's using them for.
Or I'm wrong and the previous comment is right?
I'm taking the pokerface & gambling lyrics literally.
YOUR BASICLY RIGHT SHE IS PLAYING THEM FOR MONEY AND FOR A GIRL LOL POKER FACE MEANS NO ONE KNOW WICH WAY SHE OR HE IS GOING RATHERS BOY ON BOY OR GIRL ON GIRL MAYBE BOTH
Actually, Poker Face is about her having sex with men and putting on a poker face b/c she is fantasizing about women. This is what Lady GaGa says. I dont see where she got this song from that but whatever.
SourBlue, I have to agree with paigeraguel i think the first one made more sense <br /> But this is a complicated song I would make two comments just to make sure
You're missing the intricacy in the lyrics. It's not so straight forward. It's all about pokemon.
Yes! wolfgangamadeus gets it!
Actually, I believe this song has more than just one meaning. It has to do with gays too. Gay have to bluff sometimes. Society is hard on them and they have to put on a poker face. But it also has the meaning of a woman having sex with other men to get their money in the process of strip poker.
Wolfgangamadeus, you have made my day.<br /> <br /> I am just completely dumbstruck that this is the tenth most viewed artist on songmeanings.<br /> <br /> Is there honestly THAT much to analyse in Lady Gaga's lyrics? This has to be a wind-up.
I think the whole point of the "poker face" is to leave him guessing. To make love torturous hard and yet intreaguing. A little like a dominatrix.<br /> <br /> The biggest clue to me is the refference to russian roulette and then to love. She never says that she loves him, and the poker face keeps her in control.<br /> <br /> I guess she could really keep a guy on his toes. <br /> <br /> RJ
Lady Gaga interpreted "Poker Face" at the 20th Annual White party. "Poker face is the one she puts on while she's with a man but really fantasizing about a woman". As according to Perez Hilton. I found this interesting because I wondered what the meaning really was and I never could come up with one definite answer. So, I hope this helps. It's all about the ladies loving the ladies!
i don't think the song is about leading men on with her money. she is comparing messing with somebody's feelings - with poker. a guy played her and she is acting like she still likes him and then when he falls for her, BAM "can't read my poker face" he'll end up being hurt in the end :) i love those kinds of songs. stupid boys :B
oh and i love the beat to this song. to me, its a mix of old school and new wave pop i like. Lady Gaga seems to be the only latest pop artist that can seem to pull it off. reminds me of Madonna a bit. A new Madonna.
How about a new Gwen Stefani??<br /> <br /> Listen to Boys Boys Boys and LoveGame. Very Gwen.
well I was watching an interview with lady gaga and she explained that poker face was about "poker facing" your sexuality. She talked about how she made love with her old boyfriend and she would put on a poker face during the sex. she said she pictured another female to make the sex better for her. i have to say I love this song even more now
agreed. she's such an artist and inspiration =3
It is love glue gun. I typed it wrong. According to Lady Gaga's official lyrics it's also "she's got me like nobody" rather than "she's gonna love nobody" (which is distinctly what I hear), and it's also "I'll get him HOT, show him what I got." I really thought I heard hard. Haha. :]
I made the same mistake whenever I sang the song it was always "hard" I said until my friend kept saying it was Hot. It really does sound like she says hard.
My friend and I have a theory - that Lady Gaga really MEANS "hard." If you look at the second verse, she says "I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be", which makes NO sense. It would make more sense if she said "HOT pair." <br /> <br /> Therefore, I think Lady Gaga wanted us to interpret this as word switch - if you replace "hard" with "hot" and "hot" with "hard" in both of those places, the song works better, and is much sexier. It also sounds more accurate when you listen to the song.
I definitely hear love game. And lovesickened, if it was "hard" she'd be just a little more trashy. Haha, not that it'd matter, I'd still love her.
it's about her bisexual experiences! whenever she's with a guy she can't let him know that she is actually thinking about a woman
"no HE can't read my poker face SHE'S got me like nobody"
she always leads him on but all she really wants is to be with a woman =)
I finally know what it's about! I read in an article that she said it was about her bisexuality. Her being with a guy but fantasizing about her being with a girl. She has a poker face on so he doesn't know.