The Game Of Love

"The Game of Love" is a song composed by Gregg Alexander and Rick Nowels, and is on the album Shaman by Santana. The vocal performance of the song is by Michelle Branch. The song was launched as single in 2002, and won a Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals", as well as peaking at #5 in on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Tina Turner originally recorded the track for Santana, however this version remained unreleased until October 16, 2007, where it was featured on Ultimate Santana, with the Branch version also appearing on the effort. The music video depicts Santana and Branch in an alley with couples around them, each expressing their love for one another. The director was Paul Fedor and the video was filmed in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. A classic and upbeat love song for the ages. The games we play for love all lead up to the same question, will you love me, will you let me in. Matched with Santana’s solos of unspoken love this is a song to call out your significant other and make them take their place at bat.

The Game of Love Lyrics Santana [Verse 1: Michelle Branch] Tell me Just what you want me to be One kiss And boom, you're the only one for me [Pre-Chorus: Michelle Branch] So please tell me why Don't you come around no more? 'Cause right now I'm cryin' Outside the door of your candy store [Chorus: Michelle Branch] It just takes a little bit of this A little bit of that It started with a kiss Now we're up to bat A little bit of laughs A little bit of pain I'm telling you, my babe It's all in the game of love [Verse 2: Michelle Branch] It's whatever you make it to be Sunshine instead of this cold lonely sea So, please, baby, try And use me for what I'm good for It ain't saying goodbye It's knocking down the door of your candy store [Chorus: Michelle Branch] It just takes a little bit of this A little bit of that It started with a kiss Now we're up to bat A little bit of laughs A little bit of pain I'm telling you, my babe It's all in the game of love It's all in this game of love [Bridge: Michelle Branch] You roll me, control me, console me Please hold me You guide me, divide me into one Ooh [Guitar Solo: Santana] [Pre-Chorus: Michelle Branch] So please tell me why Don't you come around no more? 'Cause right now I'm dying Outside the door of your loving store [Chorus: Michelle Branch] It just takes a little bit of this A little bit of that It started with a kiss Now we're up to bat A little bit of laughs A little bit of pain I'm telling you, my babe It's all in the game of love (A little bit of this, a little bit of that) It's all in this game of love It's all in the game of love (A little bit of laughs, a little bit of pain) Let's play the game of love [Outro: Michelle Branch & Santana] Roll me, control me, please hold me (A little bit of this, a little bit of that) Make me feel good, yeah (A little bit of laughs, a little bit of pain) Now here on my own, on my own (A little bit of this, a little bit of that) (A little bit of laughs, a little bit of pain) Written By Rick Nowels & Gregg Alexander Piano Chester D. Thompson Organ Chester D. Thompson Electric Guitar Rusty Anderson Keyboards Rick Nowels Acoustic Guitar Rick Nowels Horn Arrangements Jeff Cressman, Bill Ortiz & Carlos Santana Background Vocals Siedah Garrett, Niki Haris, Rick Nowels, Michelle Branch, Tony Lindsay & Andy Vargas Trombone Marty Wehner & Jeff Cressman Trumpet Julius Melendez & Bill Ortiz Congas Raul Rekow Percussion Luis Conte & Karl Perazzo Drums Brian Collier Bass Benny Rietveld Lead guitar Carlos Santana Lead Vocals Michelle Branch Release Date September 17, 2002