The Game

“The Game” is a track composed by George Martin, and recorded by Mary Hopkin for her debut album, “Post Card“, produced by Paul McCartney.

The most enigmatic selection on Post Card is ‘The Game’. It is an evocative work, with deceptively simple words and music, both written by George Martin. He recalled the song for his book Playback but disclosed little: “I’d written a tune, and when I played it to Paul he said he liked it and wanted to use it for Mary. I then went away and concocted a lyric — which was rather rare for me — and she recorded it as ‘The Game’. I played piano on the track too.” Mary adds: “George arranged it as well. He is lovely, it’s a beautiful song, and it was a privilege to work with him.”

From the liner notes of the 2010 reissue of “Post Card“

I nearly cried when I did this song, because I got so annoyed with myself. It’s a beautiful, beautiful song, and it deserves to be sung well or not at all. I tried it so many times, and I was so upset about it. I knew I could do it – but I didn’t do it, and I now think I’ll never do it the way I would like to. I was probably all-keyed up and too involved in it, so it didn’t come out naturally.

Mary Hopkin – From New Musical Express, February 22, 1969

Lyrics

Variations

• A Stereo version
• A1 Mono version
• A2010 2010 remaster

Officially appears on

Videos

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.