The song "Play Dead" by James is about feeling lost, alone, and betrayed. The lyrics express the narrator's plea for help and rescue from their emotional state. They feel abandoned by their friends and compare themselves to an orphan. The betrayal they experienced came from someone they had faith in, who betrayed them with just a single kiss, causing them to feel blown away. The phrase "All in my head" suggests that the narrator's emotions and struggles are all taking place internally. They are willing to pretend to be dead, both metaphorically and literally, if that's what others want from them. This could imply a sense of surrender or resignation to their circumstances. Overall, the song conveys a sense of sadness, isolation, and the desire for escape from the pain that music, or emotions in general, can bring.