The song is about letting God take the lead and playing a supporting role. The singer acknowledges that they sometimes get in the way and make mistakes, so they are asking God to take control and for them to follow. The chorus reflects this message, with the singer saying they can play the background and let God take the lead. Figurative language like similes, personification, and symbolism are used throughout to convey staying humble and not promoting oneself. Rhyme schemes and repetition of the chorus are also part of the musical structure.

1. I CAN PLAY THE
BACKGROUND
BY: LECRAE
By: Mason
Mazerolle

2. •
Lyrics
I could play the background I could play the background’ Cause I know sometimes I get in the way So won't You take the
lead, lead, lead? So won't You take the lead, lead, lead? And I could play the background, background And you could take the
lead Verse 1:It's evident you run the show, so let me back down You take the leading role, and I'll play the background I know I
miss my cues, know I forget my lines I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs (Aye I don't need my name in
lights, (Aye) I don't need a starring role Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going to lose my soul? And my ways isn't
purified, don't live according to Your Word I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard So word to every dancer for a
pop star' Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstarYeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right Praying the whole
world would start embracing stage frights let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions' Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end
up confessin'That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstarHook:I could play
the background could play the background' Cause I know sometimes I get in the ways won't You take the lead, lead, lead? So
won't You take the lead, lead, lead? And I could play the background, background And you could take the lead Verse 2:Yo, I had a
dream that I was captain of my soul was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm
prone to make mistakes All these folks who follow me, going' end up in the wrong places just let me shadow you, just let me trace
your lines Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes' Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in You, 'cause I only trust in mean see, that's how you end up headed to destruction Paving a road to
nowhere, pour your life out for nothin'You pulled my card, I'm bluffing', You know what's in my handle, I just roll and trust you, You
cause the dice to land I'm in control of nothing, follow You at any cost Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss And
man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content I'll play the background, like it's an instrumentHook:I could play the background could play the
background' Cause I know sometimes I get in the ways won't You take the lead, lead, lead? So won't You take the
lead, lead, lead? And I could play the background, background And you could take the leadBridge:I know I'm safest when I'm in
Your will, and trust Your Wordy know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred And I isn't got no time to play life's
foolish games Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name? And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for
You, yet Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and glean from You It seems like You were patient in my ignorance If ignorance is
bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of thisHook:I could play the background could play the background' Cause I know sometimes I
get in the ways won't You take the lead, lead, lead? So won't You take the lead, lead, lead? And I could play the
background, background And you could take the leadHook:I could play the background could play the background' Cause I know
sometimes I get in the ways won't You take the lead, lead, lead? So won't You take the lead, lead, lead? And I could play the
background, background And you could take the lead.

3. Figurative language
Simile-
Idiom-
Metaphor-

4. Simile
• Explain-plays an instruments.
• Simile-I’ll play the background, Like it’s an
instrument.
• -He is comparing the background like he

5. Personification
• Yo, I had a dream that I was a captain of my
soul.
• Explain You can not be the captain of your
soul.

6. Symbolism
• I could play the background.
• Explain- It is symbolic to not getting in the
way.

7. Musical Devices
• End Rhyme-
• Slant Rhyme-
• Repetition
• Refrain/chorus
• Assonance/Consonance

8. End Rhyme
• End Rhyme-
• So word to every dancer for a pop-Star.
• Cause we all play the background, But mine’s
a rock-star.
• Explain- Rock-star and Pop-Star Rhyme

9. Slant Rhyme
• Its evident you run the show, so let me back down.
• You take the leading role, I’ll play the background.
• Almost the same vowel sound.
• Explain- Back down and Background rhyme.

10. Repetition
• I could play the background
• I could play the background
• I could play the background
• Explain- always repeats.

11. Refrain/chorus
• I could play the background
• I could play the background
• Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
• So wont you take the lead, lead, lead
• So wont you take the lead, lead, lead
• And I could play the background, background
• And you can take the lead
• Explain- this chorus always comes back in the song.

12. Assonance/Consonance
• I could play the background.
• I could play the background.
• Assonance-Blue Consonance-Red