Playing Games

For the William Wei song also known as "Playing Games", see Play Game.

"Playing Games" is a song by American singer Summer Walker from their 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]

"Playing Games"
Single by Summer Walker
from the album Over It
Released	August 23, 2019 (2019-08-23)
Recorded	2018–2019
Genre	R&B
Length	2:23 (extended version) (with Bryson Tiller) 2:23 (album version)
Label	LoveRenaissance Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Summer Walker London Holmes Roark Bailey Aubrey Robinson LeToya Luckett Kelly Rowland Beyoncé Knowles LaTavia Roberson Fred Jerkins III Rodney Jerkins LaShawn Daniels Cameron Griffin Bryson Tiller
Producer(s)	London on da Track
Summer Walker singles chronology
"Girls Need Love (Remix)" (2019) "Playing Games" (2019) "Stretch You Out" (2019)
Bryson Tiller singles chronology
"Thru the Night" (2019) "Playing Games" (2019) "Hands on You" (2020)
Music video
"Playing Games" on YouTube

Critical reception

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]

Music video

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]

Charts

Weekly charts

Original version

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

Extended version

Chart (2019)	Peak position
New Zealand Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ)[18]	15
US Rolling Stone Top 100[19]	10

Year-end charts

Original version

Chart (2019)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20]	75
Chart (2020)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21]	64

Certifications

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‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[25]	Platinum	600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[26]	5× Platinum	5,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Playing Games"

Country	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	August 23, 2019	Digital download streaming	LVRN Interscope	[1]
United States	October 1, 2019	Rhythmic contemporary radio		[27]

References

1. D'Souza, Shaad (August 23, 2019). "Summer Walker drops new single "Playing Games"". The Fader. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
2. Malone, Chris (October 4, 2019). "Summer Walker Is Over It On Her Debut Album". Forbes. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
3. Pierre, Alphonse (October 9, 2019). "Summer Walker - Over It". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
4. "Our 5 favorite songs from Summer Walker's Over It". The Fader. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
5. "Watch Summer Walker's "Playing Games" Video Featuring Bryson Tiller". Rap-Up. October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
6. Robertson, Darryl (October 8, 2019). "Watch Summer Walker's "Playing Games" Video Feat. Bryson Tiller". Vibe. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
7. Lamarre, Carl (October 9, 2019). "Summer Walker Is a Woman Scorned in "Playing Games" Video Featuring Bryson Tiller: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
8. "ARIA Chart Watch #546". auspOp. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
9. "Summer Walker, Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
10. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
11. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 2, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
13. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
14. "Top 100 Songs: October 19, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
15. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: October 19, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
16. "Rhythmic Songs: December 14, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
17. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. October 10, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
18. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
19. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. October 10, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
20. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
21. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
22. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
23. "Brazilian single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
24. "Canadian single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games". Music Canada. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
25. "British single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
26. "American single certifications – Summer Walker – Playing Games". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
27. "Top 40/Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2023.