"Baby Plays Around" is a song by Elvis Costello from his album "Spike" released in 1989. The song explores the theme of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The story revolves around a narrator who is deeply in love with a woman who continuously goes out and leaves him alone. Despite the heartache caused by her actions, he still considers her to be the most important person worth waiting for in his life. The chorus, "Baby plays around," suggests that the woman is not taking the narrator's feelings seriously and treats their relationship as a mere game. He feels like a plaything in her hands, never fully understanding her intentions or why she keeps leaving him. Throughout the song, the narrator struggles to keep his emotions in check. He tries to be strong and maintain his pride but deep down, he is hurting. He feels neglected and unable to communicate his pain to the woman, who seems oblivious to the impact of her actions. The lyrics also highlight the narrator's dilemma in holding on to someone who repeatedly causes him pain. Despite knowing that he shouldn't love her so much, he cannot help himself. The love he feels for her is overpowering, making it hard for him to let go, even though he knows it would be better for his own well-being. Overall, "Baby Plays Around" captures the complexities of unrequited love, the frustration of being left behind, and the struggle to move on from a relationship that brings more pain than happiness.
