"Skin in the Game" is a song by American singer Ava Max. It released on August 22, 2025, through Atlantic Records as the tenth track of her third studio album, Don't Click Play.
Background[]
The song was registered to ArrangeMe on May 10, 2025,[1] as well as GMR.[2]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
(Ha)
[Verse 1]
Oh, baby, your tongue set a fire
I was doomed when you kissed me in the kitchen
Your lips (Your lips) tasted like (Tasted like) dark red wine and reckless decisions
[Pre-Chorus]
Satin sheets, Christian Dior (Oh)
All our clothes fell down to the floor
Yeah, that night was two years ago (Two years ago)
And I'm still sleepin' in this bed we made of fuckin' and fightin' each day
I try to leave, but I just stay
[Chorus]
'Cause I've got (Ha) skin in the game
You touch me
And lettin' go just goes down the drain
I've got (Ha) skin in the game
I try to love myself, but it's not the same
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
[Post-Chorus]
I'm not gonna play anymore
Screamin', "I hate you, walk away"
I'm not gonna wait anymore
Every time I think that I won't cave, I end up (Ha) back at your place
'Cause I've got skin in the game
[Verse 2]
Yeah, baby, sometimes (Sometimes) I drive (I drive)
And I drive (Oh) 'til I almost cross the line
[Pre-Chorus]
Of dancin' with somebody else
I kiss his lips and never tell
But we won't feel the way you felt
No, I can't help it
[Chorus]
'Cause I've got (Ha) skin in the game
You touch me
And lettin' go just goes down the drain
I've got (Ha) skin in the game
I try to love myself, but it's not the same
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
[Post-Chorus]
I'm not gonna play anymore (Ah, yeah)
Screamin', "I hate you, walk away"
I'm not gonna wait anymore (Oh)
Every time I think that I won't cave, I end up (Ha) back at your place
'Cause I've got skin in the game
[Outro]
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, I got (Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)
Oh, I've got skin in the game (Ah, ah-ah-ah)
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, I got (Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)
Oh, I've got skin in the game (Ah, ah-ah-ah)
Trivia[]
- This song uses a melody that appears in many other songs, such as "One of Your Girls" by Troye Sivan, "Bad Romance", "Blade of Grass", and "Judas" by Lady Gaga, "While Your Young" by Meghan Trainor, "White Mercedes" by Charli XCX, and many others. It's one of the most widely used melodies, despite not having an official name.
- It's also the same melody used in Max's unreleased song "Wild Thing".
References[]
[]
| Don't Click Play Navigation | |
|---|---|
| Links | Album Information • Tour • Shop Music |
| Songs | Don't Click Play • How Can I Dance • Lovin Myself • Sucks To Be My Ex • Wet, Hot American Dream • Take My Call • Know Somebody • Lost Your Faith • Fight For Me • Skin in the Game • World's Smallest Violin • Catch My Breath |
| Outtakes | Appetite • Business Is Business • Exorcist • Guns & Roses • Jackpot • Lonely People • My Oh My • Never Be Yours • Pirouette • Red Lipstick • The Cards • Spot a Fake • This Is What I Like |
| Artists | Ava Max |