We're playing those mind games together
Pushing the barrier, planting seed
Playing the mind guerrilla
Chanting the Mantra "peace on earth"
We all been playing those mind games forever
Some kinda druid dude lifting the veil
Doing the mind guerrilla
Some call it magic, the search for the grail

Love is the answer and you know that for sure
Love is a flower
You got to let it, you gotta let it grow

So keep on playing those mind games together
Faith in the future, out of the now
You just can't beat on those mind guerrillas
Absolute elsewhere in the stones of your mind
Yeah, we're playing those mind games forever
Projecting our images in space and in time

Yes is the answer and you know that for sure
Yes is surrender
You got to let it, you gotta let it go

So keep on playing those mind games together
Doing the ritual dance in the sun
Millions of mind guerrillas
Putting their soul power to the karmic wheel
Keep on playing those mind games forever
Raising the spirit of peace and love
Love
I want you to make love, not war
I know you've heard it before


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Mind Games Lyrics as written by John Lennon

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Mind Games song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

36 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +6
    General Comment

    This is just what I think...

    We're playing those mind games together...we are just minds and life is meaningless if we take it too seriously, its equally valuable as a game of kick ball.

    Playing the mind guerrilla...we are alone and against the unknown and eachother. Guerrilla aka a small irregular force against a larger regular force

    Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil...we've been relying on religion for "truth"

    Some call it magic, the search for the grail...some people name/label/talk about things they don't know.

    Love is the answer and you know that for sure...lets cut all the bullshit, its all a game anyways.

    Love is a flower, you got to let it, you got to let it grow...love all, be the love don't just say the love.

    Faith in the future, outta the now...we should have faith in the future by living in the now.

    Absolute elsewhere in the stones of your mind...God is ingrained in our minds, and only in our minds. (Lennon was an Atheist)

    Projecting our images in space and in time ...The idea that the universe has a n absolute human quality, love and hate for example, but in reality its only projected from inside our minds. There is no God, but the projection of fear.

    invisible vagabondon May 27, 2007   Link
  • +3
    Song Meaning

    If you read the book Mind Games by Jean Houston and Robert Masters, which came out in 1972, the meaning of this song becomes obvious. John and Yoko bought several copies of it and John even called it one of the two most important books he had read that year, the other being Yoko's book Grapefruit.

    nowtripon January 06, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    It's about mind games. If you think about it, every human interaction involves a certain level of head games. It's a sad fact that you can't even communicate with your own mother without some level of head games, 99% of the time. This is a sad fact that John Lennon is lamenting in this song, in a satirical way. Sad. And great.

    alex155286on August 29, 2014   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think it is about how everyone always talks about changing things, making things better (peace on earth) But everyone is just playing mind games, hoping things will get better and not taking action. (Faith in the future, out of the now)

    meanmrmustardon February 06, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    John was having an ongoing fight with the media, so I think this was him just saying, you know, 'For fuck's sake, can we just cut all the bullshit and be God's children?'

    alfiebabyon April 30, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Unfortunately I've spent the majority of my life not having heard this song until recently..I agree with Boggyplanet in the last line that love to lennon was a higher level of thinking and the song generally is about playing mind games with a loved one..that to stay in love keep playing those mind games together.. however i believe the quote "doin the ritual, dance in the sun" could be related to a different quote of his which was "Rituals are imporant. Nowadays it's hip not to be married. I'm not interested in being hip" you can look up a variety of quotes on brainyquotes.com if interested..all of his quotes make such great sense when applied to everyday life..

    Eyespeakstroofon July 11, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The only way to stop these silly mind games is to not play along. What really matters in life? Love.

    daboognish88on April 27, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Post Beatles John was all about revealing truth. Sometimes when I listen to 'mind games', I think he's hinting. ..no, taunting his audience...even ridiculing them for having been taken in by his, and their (Beatles), mind games. Perhaps while employing those mind games over the years he wasn't fully cognizant of their employ.....or was but didn't care...and was only now becoming angry with the revelation of their previously unrevealed negative cultural significance. I know it sounds ludicrous as I put this out there, but what if he was saying that the peace/love mantra was about sedating the masses under the thumbs of the oppressors? A machiavellian effort to put down the revolution? Opiate the fucking peasants. "Love is the answer and you KNOW that....for sure....no Love is surrender...." "Faith in the future is absolute elsewhere... outa the now"....means that you've been duped into concerning yourself with nonsense like heaven, religion, meditation, sex and drugs....instead of what really matters like equality and human rights and the fight against tyranny. I feel I could go on and on and deconstruct the lyrics to this song for a year.....but for now....just try it on once and see if it resonates at all ok. Listen to the song again with these ears. I'm sorry....it's painful. But if you do....you just might see a whole other level of genius in John.

    Paulnotpaulon December 14, 2017   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I kinda agree with meanmrmustard, to me the song isn't so much a love song but a song about empty promises. People say they want to change the world but they don't. John is saying love each other instead of just playing the game and saying what people want to hear. less talk more action is what i get from the song.

    earpon March 17, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    John was having an ongoing fight with the media, so I think this was him just saying, you know, 'For fuck's sake, can we just cut all the bullshit and be God's children?'

    alfiebabyon April 30, 2006   Link

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

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/