Thin Lizzy - Don't Play Around

[Rugby0747]

One of the first bands to use duel guitars in harmony

[1jackiea]

yeh be faithful .

[fultonfroth]

This song is totally bad ass. The cover is cool too. Fucking favorite rock band now, not sure another can take their plac.

[rogoldomedonfors]

IMO musically a great song but lyrically dire. Loved Lizzy since the days when Phil was alive but he got too dark sometimes round 79/80 and after - it's obviously not OK to stab someone who 2-times you - Phil did lots of 3rd party songs e.g. Nightlife LP; but no way is this is "social commentary". And to acknowIedge that isn't asking for censorship. I think Phil was coked up in 79/80 and desperate not to lose face to punks - check out KOTL video if you doubt it.

[blacksabfan]

@rogoldomedonfors

I didn't say it was "social commentary". In fact, I said the exact opposite. Ever been so mad you wanted to kill someone? I think everyone has at some point. That's what Lynott is going for...that emotion. It puzzles me that some people hang on Lynott's every word like he's seriously advocating domestic violence and murder. But now days you can't say/write anything that might be marginally offensive without people crying about it. It's probably why most pop music sucks now.

[fultonfroth]

@blacksabfan Some people say Phil was not a great lyricist or that he was an imitator. People like that miss out on so much I almost feel sorry for them. When the man wanted something done, he stepped up and made it happen. When he wanted to grab your attention, he used the right words/melodies. Arguably the best ever I know it is bias but for me, the guy was on the money.

[phenix749]

@fultonfroth people are fuck n crazy this guy was the best man fuck them

[luvhungryman]

@blacksabfan

Hey, yes, you hit the nail on the head, seems like nowadays so many people take offence for no other reason than claiming to be a "victim" of something or other. Weak minded people who cannot see outside of what is dictated to them by the fucked up media we have today. If we cannot say things that are edgy, different, confrontational, subversive etc, or in any way different from the so called "norm" in 3 or 4 minutes of music, then we have no hope.

Cheers Blacksab.

[killerontheloose80]

Snowy lays it down on this one.........BEST B SIDE EVER......BEST BAND EVER.....blacksabfan ALWAYS has "Da Good Shit"

[fultonfroth]

@killerontheloose80 Agreed, I am grateful. Fuck the World was a lott cooler when Phil was around :(

[gingermol76]

"I want to tell you she was lucky with what she got."?? I think she made out kinda shitty on this deal... Anyway, happy birthday to Phil Lynott on what would have been his 62nd birthday today! One of the greatest musicians of our time. Very sorely missed, particularly in light of the music industry presently.

[Viajeroinmovil]

It is a pity this song is just a b-side. It is one of my favorite Lizzy songs! And probably one of my favorite track generally speaking. It is so powerful, dramatic, sad and emotional! And those bloody twin guitars!

[051500]

No one was knocking Hendrix for "Hey Joe".......where they?

[TheMichaelseymour]

Love lizzy since the70s - and i love this song melodically ...but i cant agree with the subject matter as there is too much violence toward women from cowardly fuckers -if a woman does this to you -you NEVER speak to them again and let that speak for itself .

[blacksabfan]

@TheMichaelseymour

Fair enough, although I doubt the song is meant to be a social commentary on domestic violence.

Do you feel the same way about "Killer on the Loose"? Phil himself said 'KotL' was meant to be "a warning", much like this song, to me, is meant to be a warning. Of course, certain people complain, misinterpret things, and think the subject matter is being glorified or condoned, when it's just a realistic song describing human nature. I'd rather have this than, say, censorship.

[TheMichaelseymour]

@blacksabfan back to the original remark: "killer" was from the persona of sutcliffe -cool ." Dont play " ...features a line giving his own opinion : "what she got was not enough " ....A WARNING ? -What ? Dont play around women ! {we can though right?} ...cos us men will stab ya ! Fuck off ! As a slice of realistic life -yeh , does its job...I'm simply saying THATS UGLY. - Valid it is though. {so we are on the same page

[TheMichaelseymour]

@TheMichaelseymour Yes.i agree -to a point . It doesn't mean you should air everything you think though . I know you do a lot of good stuff on your videos -and a lot of people are appreciative {as i am } that said , killer on the loose had specific warnings about peter sutcliffe , i remember it well , ..but really listen to dont play around -its about she "got hers " ..i am pretty sure you will disagree -so lets leave it at that . I respect your site and your work very much.

[blacksabfan]

@TheMichaelseymour

I don't get what you mean when you said, "It doesn't mean you should air everything you think." I'm not sure if you're implying that I agree it's okay to stab women, which is why I posted this, or that the song may be offensive, so I shouldn't post it. I'm leaning toward the second one, but either way I find that argument ridiculous. Lynott wrote a lot of songs that were street-wise and true to life (as dark as it is sometimes). It's not all sunshine and rainbows.

[TheMichaelseymour]

@blacksabfan dont patronize me - i know full well that sunshine and rainbows are reserved for folk who dont have sisters and mothers and nieces and partners who have been victim to male brutality . I never said you should not have posted -nor that you think its ok to stab women . Simply sayin "hey -dont forget this is wrong'

Even though lynott is a long time hero of mine -he's not immune to criticism .Most women would agree i'd say -most men unaware...o' i forgot...its just a song right?

[blacksabfan]

@TheMichaelseymour

Don't patronize me? Are you really being fucking serious? You really think I'd forget this stabbing people is wrong? Talk about patronizing someone...or that thing about telling me I need to listen better.

I didn't have any problem with you after your first response, but your second had plenty of little jabs in it. You don't come to my home court and start telling me 'how it is' or when the discussion is over.

[TheMichaelseymour]

@blacksabfan And i have apologised to you on your page -and praised your work ...i hope i explained myself well .I can do no more than that -you are obviously an intelligent person and i just assumed people would see the merit in what i was saying - it was not a personal attack on you.

[blacksabfan]

@TheMichaelseymour

Actually the song isn't "She got hers". That's just the end result of ignoring Lynott's warning. He says "Don't play around" only 9 times (I counted after "really listening"), so I'm not really sure how it could be any clearer.

Perhaps if Lynott took your advice though, and wrote the song saying just to "not speak to them again", his message would of been just as meaningful and resonant......

[TheMichaelseymour]

@blacksabfan I suppose what you are trying to say ....is : It would not make for a very dramatic song if lynott was taking my advice -that you need to address these issues by taking on the persona of menace - is that correct ? Maybe i dont credit my fellow man enough ...foolishly i believe my feeble reasoning could ever dare challenge a demigod ? Maybe i over-simplified my love of the fairer folk & the innate need we have to protect them from the monsters of the world

[USgovernmentLies]

@TheMichaelseymour fuck that. My ex's body is in a freezer in my basement. Every now and then I go down there and throw darts at her face. The eye ball automatically wins the game if you hit it in the pupil.

[PrepDogg]

love this song...yet another hidden gem from thin lizzy

[vboxeca]

I find them better than most english rock bands from that time and earlier...

[Doyle141]

@jmann229 Oh hells yeah. I can't wait for a definitive "demo track" album or something. That would be... yeah.

[gingermol76]

Release this song on an affordable, (and easily obtainable), compilation album!!

[thinfloyd]

hellacool



[WolvesInferno]

Awesome song, and Definitely a 10/10 song for me. The solo at the end is sheer class and very unforgettable.

[mrMotorheadxxx]

chord prgession sounds a bit like watch tower..??

[TheZbycho]

WSPANIAŁY GŁOS !!!! WSPANIAŁA GRA !!!!!! PHIL LYNOTT OK !!

[ClawsOfLaughterDead]

why was this a b-side. in my opinion there are a few songs on Chinatown it could've replaced and made it a much stronger album.

[dudester415SR]

The song captures the new wave music of London at the time as much as metal

[maikel620]

great!

[SONOLEON]

anyone know the tabs or a site having this awesome riff?

I'd love to play this for future gigs, long live Thin Lizzy!

[pedalist49]

I will beat my future wife to this track.

[middi6]

I PREFER THIS SONG TO KILLER ON THE LOOSE!

[aggelospapas]

The solo at the end was my FM music radio show advertisment :):).. Thnx Phil 4 this, we love you...Don't stop rocking the heaven mate

Greetings from Greece. Olympiakos Gate 7

[blacksabfan]

@aggelospapas

Might be a year late, but that's the best radio show advertisement I've ever heard.

[gingermol76]

62 likes (me included) and 1 person very sensitive to domestic violence issues.

[gingermol76]

Oops, I should have read the preceeding comment. I know where to find this now. Thank you ausinitesince1979.

[gingermol76]

Ok guys, help me out. Is this song available on any album? Love this song!!

[austinitesince1979]

love this song. not on a regular album, but on the re-release of 'Renegade' as a Bonus Track and also on a release by [Polygram] from Australia I think, a great 2 disc called 'The Boys Are Back In Town'. The twin guitar sound never sounded better!

[LeBigMoneyShow]

Damn those guitars at the end of sooo fricking good.

[orangeisacolour]

Love the guitar at the end

[blacksabfan]

@orangeisacolour

My favorite part as well.

[ClawsOfLaughterDead]

just became my fave thin lizzy song! how this didn't make it onto chinatown beats me, could have replaced sugar blues or even killer on the loose and the album would be even stronger

[MorrowPr0ject]

Ahhhhhhh.real music..beautiful.

[middi6]

this may seem retarded but is there somewear i can by/ download this track?

[chocolatebicycle]

Oh yes, I used to make everyone listen to this hidden gem... 10 points!

[AndersonJB0965]

Thanks for sharing this song, I have all the Thin Lizzy LP's(yes vinyl) and never heard this song. I've seen numerous comments made about the China Town album, and I was surprised. Eric Bell came back to the band and they had Snowy White on this album. So, for me it's not truly a Thin Lizzy album, because of the influences of the two guitarist. Also, this is around the time when Phil Lynott dies. Scott Gorham and others, had had enough of Phil. So they took a break, bringing in the others.

[ofdoubtsandgod]

Has a feeling of "Dear Lord"...

[blacksabfan]

@ofdoubtsandgod

How so? The two songs are nothing alike, message wise or musically.

[ofdoubtsandgod]

@blacksabfan - It's the melodic line of "if you give your love to someone" compared with "if you give your soul to heaven" - it may be tentative but (maybe as a musician) I hear these melodic similarities. This isn't the best example maybe - but thare (of course) lots of crossovers in any groups tracks. I was just reminded of Dear Lord when I heard this...

[blacksabfan]

@ofdoubtsandgod

Fair enough.

[middi6]

@ofdoubtsandgod dear lord was the 1st lizzy song i thought of when i herd this too

[TimBraggMusic]

@middi6 - thanks; I'm not going mad then or losing my ears! :)

[SuperStephen33]

Christ what a magnificent tune and what a magnificent group. R.I.P Phil, too young to die at 36!

[FatMetalFan]

La mejor rola del mundo

[son6ics]

I think i´ve heard it on either on a

Soundcheck or live ! Can´t remember !Get back to me if you have any Idee what I mean!! Cheers mate!!

[son6ics]

Great song! I´ve got it on a double 7" inch. With A./Killer on the loose/ B./ Don´t play around and on the 0ther rec it´s C/

. Chinatown "live" D./ ¨Got to give it up "live"Cheers mate!!

[digbycurrents]

Probably the best band the world has ever seen.

[0209fish44]

@digbycurrents yea man the day as phil died my hard breakes away

[fultonfroth]

@digbycurrents AGREED and after taking the trip I can confirm. This song is bad ass!

[ThinLynottFan]

Now that's what I call a REAL Thin Lizzy album cover!

[LarssaLarsson]

its the back sleeve on the Chinatown record

[hilikus74]

ye its on boys are back in town album.i think i still have the tape somewhere,great song.....

[LarssaLarsson]

acually got this song from an bootlegd vinyl from 1983 with the name The boys are back in town think its been pressed in Germany

[Jim7711154]

Did Phil have a cold recording this one?

[pzrplam]

this song is awesome! i can hardly beleive this is unreleased on one of their studio albums.....holy shyt Thin Lizzy is amazing

[eyeboan]

this is the only original lizzy 45 i have

[Rollotony]

This is fuckin good. No reason it shouldn't have been on Chinatown.

[ShamusGarfunkle3]

Great song but all of you don't seem to know the song "A song For While I'm Away" I keep looking everywhere for it but it's not here LOOK IT UP PEOPLE it's my favorite Thin lizzy song it's beautiful.

[denton908]

It's on youtube. It is a beautiful song.

[jimmo42]

Vagabonds was never one of my favorites, but "A Song For While I'm Away" definite demonstrates Phil's talent as a poet.

[insipidotu]

Mine too, man....that song is pure poetry!!

[denton908]

I even found 'Having a Good Time' charming.

'That was Snowy White! He likes it um... In the Night!'

Those lyrics are so bad it's funny... Heroine addicts can't write lyrics, well, Phil could, but he had his off days.

[denton908]

Motherfuckers... why have I got thumbs down? I am a massive Lizzy fan, and I should be allowed to have criticisms, but no...

[jimllfaxit]

I've just added another thumbs down im afraid..

[jimllfaxit]

I added a thumbs down but seeing as we are all Lizzy fans i took it back and gave you a thumbs up.

[denton908]

Wow, thank you! You do understand where I am coming from about the heroine addiction though right? It's just that most Thin Lizzy fans tend to just ignore the fact that Phil was an addict... but in my opinion it was a big part of who he was and a true fan has to take the good with the bad.

[jimllfaxit]

Yeah dude i understand.I found your post funny about getting thumbs down so i added another to have a laugh.

I'm not sure either about "snowy white,he likes it um, in the night.

What do you reckon?

[denton908]

Well I reckon Phil was going through some tough times with his marriage, and he just had his guitarist leave the band (Gary Moore), and obviously he was on smack at the time so I think he was desperate to get an album out. As a result there was an album with some AWESOME songs (Genocide and We Will Be Strong) and some terrible ones (Hey You and Having a Good Time).

[THINLIZZYFANno1]

you're right about most things there apart from hey you an having a good time being terrible songs. i myself love both of those songs. didnt i couldve been leftout instead of this tho maybe

[denton908]

Didn't I is a very nice song. Having a good time is a song about 30 something year olds who aren't in their prime anymore but really wish that they were.

[SoldierofFortune07]

I love Hey You and havin a good time. although Hey You was probably one of the most depressing songs lizzy ever wrote

[CianByrne14]

Hey, I agree. The lyrics to "baby please don't go" aren't great. (Though the solo is amazing)

[SoldierofFortune07]

I'd disagree mate. The chorus is really good and it gets stuck in your head. In my opinion a sign of a great songwriter

[CianByrne14]

Yeah, it's catchy, but you have to admit.. Not as much thought put in to it lyric-wise comparing it to other Lizzy songs. Nice name by the way.

[CianByrne14]

Nice harmonies.

[u1u0]

Time for them to bloody remaster CHINATOWN, and to stick the b-sides on it. This song is great!

...and I love both of the songs Genocide AND Chinatown! LOL.

[Banner1979]

@u1u0 I totally agree. It's an underrated album and deserves more credit than usual. Even Renegade had some sizzling moments.

[1978deus]

@u1u0 No. Remastering destroys the dynamic range of the original. Re-release it in it's original form w/extra tracks by all means.

[magtownrep]

I think it would be the best song on chinatown if it was on it.

[Snufferson]

I agree. I guess they left it out because of the lyrics.. "He slipped the knife into her gut,"... hahaha. A bit much perhaps. As a whole, I thought "Chinatown" was the weakest of the post-Robertson recordings. I did however LOVE "Renegade" with Snowy White. That whole album kicks ass. Critics for some odd reason seemed to like "Chinatown" better. I think they're fuckin' nuts... hahaha.

[BlueShark45]

Another observation of mine is that sometimes a video can kill the mood of a good song.

Take Killer On The loose and Renegade for examples.

I love the song Renegade but the video ruins the mood for me.I do realize it was early 80's and videos had a tendency to be pretty sad.

However TL is still my favorite band of all time. Phil is a great singer/songwriter and his bass playing is superb in my opinion.

I agree with AspiringSanta,it is impossible for me to choose a favorite TL song.

[Goddafodda]

Why didn't they include this cool song instead of "Genocide" or "Having A Good Time"?

[blacksabfan]

This is definitely better than "Having a Good Time", but "Genocide"?? "Genocide" is one of the best songs on that album.

[Goddafodda]

Glad you agree on the first one. And yeah, I don't like "Genocide" because it just sounds (excuse me) boring. The lyrics are good, but I always yawn when I listen to it lol :S

[blacksabfan]

For me, the surprise yawner on Chinatown is the title track. I've never really cared for that song. Even "Didn't I" I eventually came around to liking, but "Chinatown" got worse the more I listened to it.

[Goddafodda]

haha, what a surprise! And I think "Chinatown" is Thin Lizzy's best song XD

[BlueShark45]

That's the beauty of it,everyone has thier favorite TL songs and being a huge fan I enjoy reading what songs other Lizzy fans like.

I am unable to choose a favorite song but I admit to liking it all from the first album to Thunder & Lightning.

[AspiringSanta]

King's Call.. When Phil does it with Knopfler but thats not 100% TL.. Maybe Bad Reputation is my favourite. But I have a principle of not naming a best of best as its inpracticle and impossible

[SeChabal]

Why does everyone commenting here feel the need to correct their speeling it's not that important we can figure it out.

[SeChabal]

I mean spelling.

[bitsiani20]

Dont play around, should be a movie soundtrack for a love story in a very passionate movie

[JohnnyFox86]

This is absolute quality. Surely they could have squeezed in onto Chinatown. The harmony at the end is one of the very best.

[bitsiani20]

yes nothing but the best

[mountaineseiceblink]

"too" not two!

[mountaineseiceblink]

could have been on the album two though

[mountaineseiceblink]

cool track, haven`t heard it before thanx

[savagerock]

Rock.

[dannyeverton5]

sounds very typical of the chinatown era.. cant understand why this didnt make it on to an album.

[denton908]

This is an amazing song.

Man, Thin Lizzy were really the perfect band... even their b-sides were killer.

[ITheVagabond]

i was just speaking to someone about this solo/outro? is it a scott gorhman?

[Vibrato747]

Absolutely Scott Gorham. The solo is definitive Scott Gorham-- same fast decending run he used in Killer on the Loose

[rayraysworld]

or even brilliant !

[rayraysworld]

this is brillaint

[JAH2094]

Does anyone happen to have a recording of this?

It is amazing and i have been looking everwhere for it. Help?

R.I.P Phil

[dabzuk]

Jah2094, If memory servs me right, it was the b.side to killer on the loose...I used to have it....wish I still did:(

[blacksabfan]

Yeah it was...hence the picture that comes up when the video plays.

[JAH2094]

I now have a copy of this song and if you want a copy send me your email and id be happy to send it to you.

=]

[ITheVagabond]

same i have it in full quality MP3 from "Vagabonds Kings Warriors Angels" CD Book. got at least 4 songs from each album and some B-sides plus some of Phil and Gary and Phil Solo! its really good book!

[Upyrazz]

I'd love to have someone release these nuggets. This is awesome. Thanks for posting this!!!

[dragster58]

Huge Phil and the boyZZZ!!

[SeChabal]

Wow can't get enough of this song so underrated.

[PhilLynott1949]

wow a huge thankyou. R I P Phil, millions r still playing ur records. xxxx