"Playing Games" | ||||
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Single by Summer Walker | ||||
from the album Over It | ||||
Released | August 23, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2018–2019 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 2:23(extended version) (with Bryson Tiller) 2:23(album version) | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | London on da Track | |||
Summer Walker singles chronology | ||||
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Bryson Tiller singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Playing Games" on YouTube |
"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]
Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork said that,in the song,Walker "addresses the lame dudes that continue to take their 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]
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 them flowers and apologizing. [5]
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 Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [13] | 16 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [14] | 16 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [15] | 9 |
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [16] | 37 |
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [17] | 36 |
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
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New Zealand Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ) [18] | 15 |
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [19] | 10 |
Chart (2019) | Position |
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US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) [20] | 75 |
Chart (2020) | Position |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) [21] | 64 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [22] | 2×Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [23] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [24] | 2×Platinum | 160,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [25] | 2×Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [26] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [27] | 5×Platinum | 5,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 23,2019 | [1] | ||
United States | October 1,2019 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [28] |