The lyrics talk about the difficulty of loving oneself when in a one-sided relationship where the other person does not reciprocate the same feelings. It emphasizes the pain and heartache that come from loving someone who doesn't love you back and advises not to play the game if you don't like the rules.

Meaning of "Don't Play the Game" by Waylon Jennings

"Don't Play the Game" by Waylon Jennings explores the theme of unrequited love and the struggles that come with it. The lyrics suggest that the hardest thing one can do is to love themselves when they are caught in a situation where the person they love does not feel the same way. There is a sense of self-blame and realization that the rules of the game of love can lead to sleepless nights and endless pain if one continues to pursue a one-sided relationship. The repetition of the phrase "if you don't like the rules, don't play the game" serves as a warning to not engage in relationships that are destined to cause emotional turmoil. The inner conflict of wanting to give love a chance but also knowing that it may lead to more heartache is highlighted in the lines, "Well, I do but I don't, I will but I won't, Deep inside I know I'll do again." Overall, the song conveys a message of self-love, self-preservation, and the importance of recognizing when to walk away from a love that is not reciprocated.