Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Namesakes #178: The Game


Do you like to play games?

I'm betting you won't want to play some of these...

Game on!


THE GAME #1

The Game came from Mitcham in Surrey and looked set for big things in the mid-60s until an appearance on Juke Box Jury with their single The Addicted Man ruined everything. On the comeback trail in 1995, songwriter Alan Gowing explained, “A lot of the scandal was pure hypocrisy. We were just made an example of. The panellists on the programme, Jimmy Savile, Alan Freeman, Pete Murray and Simon Dee said they thought The Addicted Man was pro-drugs. Yet Jimmy Savile has since told us he tried to persuade the others that they were misinterpreting the lyrics. The BBC banned the record and the chairman of EMI, who was also a member of the House of Lords, withdrew it from sale.” Still, it must feel good to know they had Jimmy Saville on their side.

The Game – It’s Shocking What They Call Me

GAME #2

Next up, a Florida rock band, getting ahead of the game in the late 60s / early 70s. I tried really hard to find their 1971 single Fat Mama / Girl Next Door, but it might have been cancelled. You’ll have to make do with this…

Game – Stop, Look & Listen

 

GAMES #3

Followed by a California band from 1977…

Games – Feeling This Feeling

Other bands playing Games in the plural were to be found on discogs… but not anywhere else.

 

THE GAME #4

The sound of Norwegian reggae from 1981…

The Game - Innespærra

 

GAME #5

Italian “synth-boogie” group from 1982… hardly a game-changer.

Game – Gotta Take Your Love


GAME #6

Aussie rockers, at the top of their game in 1984…

Game – Strange Passion

 

GAME #7

Also in 1984, try some Italian prog… that's mug's game.

Game - Stella di Andalusia

 

THE GAME #8

This was the sound of 1988, on Power Quality Records from California. I couldn’t find any pictures of the band, but I figured you might want to write to their fan club, regardless…

The Game - Savin' It All For You

 

THE GAME #9

French New Wave electronic band from 1989. Without giving the game away, they're a little bit Depeche Mode, a little bit Goth…

The Game - Under the White Bible Law

 

GAME #10

Imagine a South Korean Clannad, from 1990.

Game (게임(김태원) - 초연 I

 

GAME #11

New Jack Swing (whatever that means) group from 1991…

Game – No Exceptions

 

GAME #12

From the year 2000, Game Kutya was a Hungarian rapper who popped up on a couple of singles by the slightly more famous Hungarian pop-rapper Mohaman. I wouldn’t normally include him, except that I love the photo above, in which it looks like one of your mate’s dads has stolen your BMX… and what are you gonna do about it?

Mohaman featuring Game - Funky

 

THE GAME #13

Bobbins, from 2003.

The Game – Crash Test

 

THE GAME #14

Rapper and actor Jayceon Terrell Taylor is the most famous The Game (or Game to his mates) on today’s list – even if it’s unlikely anyone reading this blog has ever heard of him.

Here’s his biggest UK hit from 2005…

The Game ft. 50 Cent - Hate it or Love it


GAME #15

And finally, a hardcore punk band from London influenced by Gism, Zouo and Siekiera. You know - Gism, Zouo and Siekiera. D’oh.

Game – Who Will Play?

 

Game over?


5 comments:

  1. Nothing special there, probably #9 by default. #4 and #5 weren't as bad as I thought they would be by the description, which perhaps counts for something. After listening to #3 I will make sure to avoid anything produced by the Tatkin brothers.

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  2. I'm reluctant to be a miserable old sod (but it's never stopped me before, ho ho). I'd rather sack off all of these and go and watch David Fincher's 1997 vehicle for Michael Douglas, The Game. But that doesn't count here, I know.

    ReplyDelete
  3. #2 is a great track!!!!!!1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. #5 tested my patience, and I will try not let your description of #11 to put me off. High hopes for the italian prog track

      Delete
    2. #8 is total shite, as is #13. so It's definitely #2 for me

      Delete

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