I like the fact that she is playing with him with no armor, she's only in her dress, it feels like as if she was so open to him, like an open book and he is in his armor, fully covered and closed off, not opening up to her.

He never removed his armor, always guarded, while she was bare before him. In the end he played to win and knocked her right out of his way like she was nothing. Great video, super sad but damn good.

when she said “i’m in love with the greatest gamer but he’ll always love the game more than he loves me” i felt that……..

The double meaning in "if I loved him any less, I'd make him stay" legit gives me chills. This song is a masterpiece

“If I loved him any less, I’d make him stay”, such a powerful line. I was hooked after that

The sounds of the swords swishing around and clanging together on beat with the music really adds to it for me.

Grimes with a big budget is unstoppable

She’s so ethereal. I’m in awe whenever I watch this music video (which is often btw)

The "after song" is like heaven to my ears. If it were a complete song on its own I would 100000% listen to that. But the whole song is incredible, the visuals are also amazing.

It doesn't matter how sexy you are, how smart you are, how seductive you are... when you are playing the game with someone who is covered in armor and emotional unavailable you will never win. You are just another hot chick, another pawn in the game... this "king" doesn't need a queen... he is in love with the "game".

Baby Would you still love me Out on Europa? Or will you forget? La, la, la, la Baby How can I compare To the adventure out there? Sail away To the cold expanse of space Even love Couldn't keep you in your place But can't you love me like that? Can't you need me like that? If I loved him any less I'd make him stay But he has to be the best Player of games If I loved you any less I'd make you stay Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games I'm in love with the greatest gamer But he'll always love the game More than he loves me (oh, oh) Sail away To the cold expanse of space Even love Couldn't keep you in your place But can't you love me like that? Can't you need me like that? If I loved him any less I'd make him stay But he has to be the best Player of games If I loved him any less I'd make him stay Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games

Only someone that went through the same heartbreak as her can understand this song. To me, it’s about someone who will never value you as much as they value their future. They’re so goal-oriented they can’t even look to the side and see that the person they’re supposed to care is suffering. They have to be the best.

She’s seated as a player at the game table, but as the game progresses, sees that she is nothing more than a pawn on his board, or a card in his deck. While she’s emotionally open and unguarded, he’s cold and covered in armor. It almost seems like he’s taunting her… he knows her weapon is useless against his armor yet he continues to draw her in. He enjoys watching her fight, until he doesn’t. He always had the power to end the game wherever and whenever he wanted to. She lies dead on the floor, her body and her blood just outside of the spotlight… seems to echo the position she held in his life while she lived. Wow, Grimes. Wow.

In love and giving him attention and love while he stands there in a full armor, not touching her, no reactions - not even tilting his head forward to show any love towards her. His hands stay on his sword and by his side. The one sided love she must have felt. Sacrificing yourself to let your loved ones do their most important mission in this life. Couples can learn a lot from this.

This is literally one of the best music videos in existence. The cinematography is impeccable.

5:08 I want this part to be played on repeat so bad, it's sooo good 😭😭

Cant help but notice all these references to Grime's previous work. The throne, also present in Delete forever, the act of chasing Grimes down, and the whole notion of playing games in IDORU, and the scene with the consoles which reminded me of Flesh without blood. Grimes never fails to surprise.

Literally obsessed with the timing of the sword slashes

I watched this after reading Elon’s book, it makes sense for how they were together and how in the end she had to let him go because she knew she was just another player in the game he needed to win. It’s good she could see it for what it was though, not many have this gift of foresight.

Maybe one of her most moving songs. The meanings behind it, the symbolic elements. 10/10

She actually improved on this track so much, her mind. The intro and outro are a great addition. Not to mention, that final sword fight sequence is movie quality.

"If I loved him any less, I'd make him stay, But he has to be the best player of games" I think that says it all.

In the video he really was a player of games. he could have easily knocked her out or overpowered her but instead he made her fight to the death when the outcome was clear the whole time.

What it feels like to date Elon Musk.

Are we gonna skip over the sword fight sound effects being synced to the rhythm? This was a masterpiece

She always outdoes herself. What a freaking genius.

“I’m in love with the greatest gamer… but he’ll always love the game more than he loves me” I can only imagine her true meaning of these lyrics

Cinematography and that drop at 5:08 are insane. I can’t get over it! That beat drop reminds me of Closer by NIN. I’m not complaining.

He is too guarded and closed She's too exposed and vulnerable He ends up alone She ends up dead Interpret as you will, the song is great, and the sword clashes matching with the rythm are godly and the choreography in the clip is fun

I missed Grimes music videos so much,,, her art really doesn't get talked about enough. This was stunning both visually and conceptually

The pain of every woman who is with a powerful man who can have them all and cannot make a choice. If he really loved her he would stay with her and be a father to his children. Grimes is the purest soul in the most beautiful body. If you cannot even commit to her there is really no hope for you to ever form a meaningful relationship. Children need a father and a stable home.

The fact that she was not pierced with the sword from the front but was stabbed in the back. THE DETAILLLSS!!

It kinda broke me that the knight cut her belly, right in the c-section area. She gave her all playing by the rules of a game maybe she knew wasnt gonna win. "If i loved him any less id make him stay" just stuck with me from the get go. I love that this is kinda of a heartbreak song but it isnt mean spirited, it hits me in all the right places, damm such a good song and amazing video to complement it

I like the visual storytelling here. The lover of the player of games has many appearances, many tempting and beautiful. But the player of games shows nothing but cold steel. The player and lover both know, that the player will win this game and leave her for greater games. Nevertheless, they still play. The player of games plays the game because, well, that's what the player does. And he plays to win. The lover, however, does not play to win. She knows she cannot win. All that she hopes for is that she will be remembered, if not by her love and grace, then by her game. Perhaps she even dreams the player will one day return, though that is unlikely. The player of games cannot stop, the only way to reach a player of games is to play the game.

This song became a lot to me, not sure if Claire is gonna see this but my father was a software engineer. He died last February suddenly due to a heart attack. My whole life I came second to computers, he treated life like a video game always trying to level up, solve the puzzles, prove himself. And I felt that “if I loved him any less I’d make him stay.” If I didn’t love and want him I’d have never been hurt, never been missing him even when he was alive. I knew he needed to win and I just stopped competing. “Why can’t you love me like that? Why can’t you need me like that?” Anyone who loves someone in that industry I’ve seen over and over again feel that. Seeing them always in a screen always on a journey to win and you’re just a shadow of their ambition, something in the way. It taught me how to live my life, I saw the price of trying to win, how much you actually missed living yourself. I loved this song before he died and even sent it to him hoping that maybe he would listen to what I couldn’t say, I don’t know if he got the message but I still come back to this and the “I’d make you stay,” is especially different that he died.

i think this is one of the most beautiful music videos ever shot and it is somehow still so underrated. truly i love her mind

This is a masterpiece, I couldn't help but think "I need a film of this". Grimes is such a brilliant woman, one of my top favourite artists.I love her work❤

I'm speechless. This is one of the most intense videos that Grimes brings us. Simply put she is beyond passionate about all art. She is a brilliant mind. I adore you Grimes. Thank you for player of games.

You’re a genius grimes, please never stop making art. You speak to my subconscious 🥺❤️

the queen and the king in chess are like them, the queen's actions are almost exaggerated, she puts herself out there like no other pieces can; but the king stays reserved, unmoved

I saw some comments about this song being about Musk, and at first I thought maybe it is just a really great song. But after listening to it a few more times, and reading the lyrics, I am completely sure it is about Elon. There are tons of references: Elon is famously enamored with space and space exploration. "Baby How can I compare To the adventure out there? Sail away To the cold expanse of space." Another is her reference to Europa; "Would you still love me Out on Europa?" Elon is a billionaire. He is absolutely playing a game. He's in it to win it too. He's also seemingly cold, and clearly struggles to prioritize human relationships. The knight who is silent and unyielding emotionally fits very well as a way to display the emotional disparity. "I'm in love with the greatest gamer But he'll always love the game More than he loves me." Also, the fact that he goes for her belly ....right where she would have had her cesarean section. It's clearly about him. However, I don't know if Grimes is actually heartbroken or not given who she is. She's a very interesting person. Not insulting her, she's just different. However, to those saying because she has money she can't be heartbroken. B.S. The key to human happiness is human relationships. It's been well studied. Money only makes you happy to a point, and that happiness plateaus after a certain amount of financial security. People can absolutely be unhappy even when they're rich, and they can most definitely love someone deeply and grief the end of a relationship.

i discovered grimes several years ago during a difficult time in my life. grimes taught me that it's okay to change your music taste anytime and that art is limitless. c taught me to own my awkwardness, image, and who i am. expanding my opinions or ideas as i get older is perfectly okay! i'd rather be happy being myself versus miserable trying to please every single person. watching this music video i still see the same goofy, creative, and intelligent person who was dancing around in vanessa or oblivion. she is just a little more grown up. thank you for everything grimes, xoxo

So much truth in this video. ...he kills her and then she keeps remembering him killing her while they're still playing chess, she has no armor or protection he has all of it, then she's dead on the floor and he says "I won" the chess game. As if she could win it dead on the floor.

I almost lost my life to Alcohol and co dependency to a man that was an addict as well and we had a toxic relationship.He almost killed me just by him being in my life and me losing myself to him.I made him my God and he aided in me drinking and making bad decisions that put my life into jeopardy.He didn't care about me but He was my world.So today I'm quitting both Alcohol and him cold turkey.I lost my identity to him and became him down to my hair and face.I forgot who Im (was).I lost it to him and Alcohol.But today I'm finding myself again.I feel like a wound warrior.He tried to destroy me but I survived and can start a new life.Goodbye Tye ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥our knot is now broken and deleted Forever.💔

Lyrics : Baby Would you still love me Out on Europa? Or will you forget? La, la, la, la Baby How can I compare To the adventure out there? Sail away To the cold expanse of space Even love Couldn't keep you in your place But can't you love me like that? Can't you need me like that? If I loved him any less I'd make him stay But he has to be the best Player of games If I loved you any less I'd make you stay Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games I'm in love with the greatest gamer But he'll always love the game More than he loves me (oh, oh) Sail away To the cold expanse of space Even love Couldn't keep you in your place But can't you love me like that? Can't you need me like that? If I loved him any less I'd make him stay But he has to be the best Player of games If I loved him any less I'd make him stay Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games Player of games

I love her work and I'm 60! She transcends generations

Even Grimes’ most basic song is still light years better than the average dance pop artists.

Wow from 2:50- 3:20 those are some BEAUTIFUL visuals!! Love this song and the video was her best yet. Recently got into grimes music and wasn’t sure at first but as I’ve been listening more, I realized this girl knows what she’s doing❤

Truly epic in 100% Grimes fashion. As we learned with Art Angels, death is only a means to artistic rebirth for Grimes. With this, she has ascended to an even higher level of greatness!

Beautiful visuals, Grimes never disappoints with her art.

One of her best productions.

This is one of the most beautiful and chilling songs I've ever heard. She truly is an earth angel. ✨

I love how Grimes follows no other. Her music sounds like nobody else

Trivia: Most people are not aware that the book "Player of Games" is among the sci-fi novels that originally inspired Elon's space fascination, so much so that two of the landing pads used by Space X rockets (Of-Course-I-Still-Love-You & Just-Read-The-Instructions) are named after ships from the book

Took me some years before I could understand her. Much respect! 🌌

I love this song and all the different sections! I'll list them for you. Angelic: 0:00, 4:37, 5:58. Dance party/Pop: 0:30. Dark: 5:08, 6:21.

4:46 LYRICS Beauty Beauty loved the beast He just stares into the sun There ain't no Heaven The angels here are the only ones They fall like Lucifer I can't beat God I fall like Lucifer They can't beat God And now I'm here on Earth Because I'm not an angel baby Somewhere in your eyes The last angel Fell out from the sky

From her song “Idoru” “Yeah, we could play a beautiful game We could play a beautiful game You could chase me down the way I wanna play a beautiful game Even though we're gonna lose But I adore you” (Adore you) She knows this love will be painful but still wanted to try because she loves him.

I like how all the video game references in the synth are there but not overdone.

I'm living for her lightsaber use and the obi-wan stance at 3:57 shes amazing

This is a great portrayal of an abusive relationship. How it feels to love the other person but they just don't give you the love and affection back. During the first part she is seen running from him. She knows if she fights she'll lose. She's trying to keep herself safe as they fight. Shes on the defense. When she finally fights back he goes for a low blow and that cut deep. Since the scene of her getting cut basically at her womb was shown more than any other scene I'm guessing he said something to her about her c section scar or child and it was the end of her. It killed a part of her. It's when she realizes how cold he really is. It's hard to love someone who hurts you. It's the most painful kind of love. This song hits real hard in the feels. Edit: real quick, the point of where she messed up in the game was getting to close. In chess the queen is the most powerful piece being able to move in any direction and as far across the board as you want. The king ironically is the weakest piece, but if you get up right next to the king then you can be taken out. In the video she puts her queen right up to his king. Right in range for him to defeat her. She lost because she got to close. The moment she realizes what she has done the Knight moves his head to look at her in almost disbelief that she would do that. The Knight makes the killing blow as cold as his steel armor. Ruthlessly.

THE PRODUCTION VALUE, THE NARRATIVE, THE FACT THAT IS EVEN MORE MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO THAN THERE IS IN THE LYRIC VIDEO, INCREDIBLE AND EPIC! LOVE YOU, GRIMEEESSSS

I love when she says even love couldn’t keep you in your place because both of them are clearly out their spaces

Player of games debería tener muchísimas más reproducciones, es un trabajo audiovisual precioso ❤

I normally dislike sound effects in music videos, but I think these honestly just make it better! I love the chiming of the swords and the rhythmic rumbles as the two duel

This is possibly the most incredible pieces of art I’ve ever seen, grimes has evolved so much this is insane I’m so proud to be a fan

The visuals is truly freaking amazing!! Her voice though!! 🔥🔥🔥

I just discovered this song its amazing and the video clip🤩🤩🤩🙏🏼

I feel like this is so multi-reflective of so many things. How a woman can feel quite neglected, also World of Warcraft, Sucker Punch, Star Wars, richest man in the US player of business games vibes, mars, aliens, space wars, all these surface stories of course. But when he got her in the stomach, he killed her free spirit, because a mother's love and heart is a prisoner of love to her son, her angel baby (in the best way possible of course, but it also changes a person forever). This love is very powerful but can also the same make you feel powerless. On the flip side, being in this position you have the power to bring down his guard and the power to determine if you'd like to put the dagger in his heart. In this life you can be the player or the played. I think ultimately she is figuring out which way she wants to go.

No joke, this has to be one of grimes’ best music videos to date

One of the greatest music videos I've ever seen

This is my first taste of Grimes & her music and art. I'm blown away!

Regardless of situation, when your love makes you feel this was its devastating. I hope grimes knows she's not alone and we love her.

Grimes just showed us again that she’s so much more than an artist. This is the best music video of her entire career, it's just perfect, the visuals are wonderful 😭

Why isn’t this liked more?? Like-

Ugh I love grimes not only is she the closest to a doppelgänger to me that I’ve seen her music moves me so much and she dropped this beauty on my birthday yay

This is by far the best music video ever she’s ever done

"If I loved you any less, I'd make you stay." Definitely felt that coming out of my last relationship.. Player of Games indeed... 🤦🏽‍♀️ also felt that final slice through the core 😞

Grimes: *displays sophisticated swordsmanship* Darth Sauron: *wack*

This song is criminally underrated.

"Coming near him like a ballet dancer she took a leap towards him, and he, frightened by her vehemence, and fearing that she would crash against him, instinctively became absolutely rigid, and she felt herself embracing a statue." - Anaïs Nin

Grimes you are a beautiful mastermind. I love your art!!!!

I don't know how to describe what I felt while watching. It's excellent.. I'm incredibly inspired.

Feeling of the sharp object tearing through your body is strange, you don't feel pain at first, you just feel something somewhere you never felt before, then comes the pain, extreme.

Sounds and looks like a self-therapeutic approach to her broken relationship with Musk. Masterpiece.

I love how Grimes can portray the beauty of feminine fragility while also showing the fierce power found within that vulnerability. Her art is so exquisite💖🖤💖🖤

Grimes with a budget is unstoppable

I, absolutely, love Grimes and this video, but there is no way she can sword fight someone a foot taller and wearing armor without being knocked over. I love that she is a singer singing about Lucifer 🖤❤️ i'll light your candles for you anyday, Grimes. Kudos for going for it. Ive never been with a powerful man on purpose.

Grimes is very cerebral and symbolic. There is more at play at this than a 'broken' relationship with Musk. They went on to have another child together, though via segregate. I don't think this is so much about her break up with Musk as I think it is about her pregnancy. She's spoken before about how she gave all to him, not just with having unprotected sex, but also having his child which she said was so much harder than she thought it would be. When you get pregnant it makes you vulnerable. Your body is no longer your own, and for someone like Grimes that values her freedom and independence this can be very hard. The take down, literally a strike NOT to the neck or heart, but stomach? IF you wanted to show a man who toyed with her heart, you would choose a killing blow better than a gut wound. A gut blow followed by a full moon (menstruation cycles and the moon?). No, I believe this is more about their relationship struggles (him being more focused on his career) and the pregnancy. Imagine, having children by a man who is determined to go live on Mars and leave you caring for his kids?

This is her best video she's ever done yet. The vibes, the layers of meaning hidden deep beneath the surface and the lyrics make this her biggest masterpiece to date. I can't wait to see this whole era as it goes on. Also, the blonde wig is amazing

Imagine being like “tea this is my parents love story, my dad being the most powerful man in the world actively pioneering electric vehicles and space, my mom the embodiment of a faerie muse” What if one day in 200 years people look back on them like the bible

How come nobody has timed sword fight shings to the beat before? Amazing

i can't get over the sound of the swords clanging going along with the beats

The face that she produces her own music is so rare and amazing. Im in my mid thirties and just discovering her and i think she is phenomenal.

4:43 def fav moment

The end is absolutely fabulous. The rain of synth arpeggiator harmonics is gold to the ears.

This is what perfection looks like. I'm currently reading the Dune books and i just finished watching the Witcher, so this whole intergalactic medieval fantasy theme is hitting all my sweet spots 😂💖

Anyone else notice it’s like a sequel from the song “idoru”.. in that song she mentions “we can play a beautiful game…. Even though we’re gonna loose” Then there’s this masterpiece. It’s like she knew all along 😢 it’s brilliant

We are all the player of our kind of games

I love this song