"Just a game" song composer speaks out

In 1988 the song "Just a game" was composed by Christof Bachmeier for a charity project for starving children in Ethiopia. It was published only on vinyl and sold at the concert night of the charity event. Now, 36 years later, a community was searching for the song, which has never been distributed nor digitalized. Somebody found a snippet somewhere and made the first step in searching for a lost song. A trail of rumours and speculations about the origin of "Just a game" started to course through the internet. At last the community found the composer of the song through years of detours and contacted him. Christof dug out the original mastertape and digitalized it. Here it is - for the very first time in original form: JUST A GAME. Enjoy.
Join the reddit community: / nowiknowitsjustagame

[@Epicicness]

R.I.P GABOR (1972-2024) AND MARIO LEHNER (1950-2010)

[@Epicicness]

@@theawesometeg219 Gabor is the OP of the post and Mario is the other man who sang it

[@naomiyunomi-02]

@@theawesometeg219 Gabor is the original poster of the snippet online who sadly passed away. Mario Lehner is the man who sung (in the video Christof showed)

[@mannequin_z]

Seeing actual footage of the song being recorded is absolutely surreal

[@SquidBeatsSB]

Feels like something from an ulterior universe

[@theawesometeg219]

It’s so funny when the music stops like a cassette tape and he takes a smoke break

[@LitJay.]

⁠@@SquidBeatsSByou could say they had..ULTERIOR MOTIVESSS✨✨✨

[@wuiuoluminum2]

Doesn't make sense. ​@@LitJay. , correct your mistake before I touch you.

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

Hey everyone. I just want to let you know, im so grateful about your coments. I see so many good people.

[@LinnDrumm]

A instrumental version please?

[@finalities]

@@LinnDrummI doubt he has one. I’ll use ai to make one

[@finalities]

@@LinnDrummI’ll make one with AI

[@KT-_-55]

thank you for everything christof

[@Adrianmc_2]

Did you made "Under My Door"?

[@gamingchickenstudios]

This is probably the best ending to a lost media search! The story of this song is unbelievable. Gabor would be proud.

[@ZPV914]

*How Long moment

[@GodzillaEditz_101_YT]

Fr like the average lost wave song is like, get found and everyone moves on in nanoseconds

[@chantingmammal]

Thanks Christof for making this beautiful song! R.I.P Gabor72 (1972-2024)

[@Kreepypasta]

Who is Gabor??

[@citrus.airways]

@@KreepypastaThe OP of "Just A Game"

[@Bananajam55]

​@@Kreepypastaop of this song

[@simonbone]

@@Kreepypasta He was the one who was trying to identify the song after somehow having heard it. It was the only song of his on WatZatSong he hadn't been able to figure out, and no one had done so for six years. After people found out Gabor had passed away, they made an extra effort to find the song in his memory - and did.

[@BigMacForMe]

Nah rookie​@@Kreepypasta

[@PigPigGamer]

Thank you so much for sharing this. The fact that you had actual footage of Mario singing the chorus is absolutely insane and I would’ve never expected that. This song is an actual masterpiece and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of listening to it. Thank you Christof for not only composing this amazing song, but sharing all of this with us as well :)

[@InvestedTable35]

Hi PigPig, love ur videos

[@okjeffy6581]

Didn’t watch the video at first and thought you were talking about Suler Mario.

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

thank you. its also a great honor and a fantastic story for me!

[@HjKabal]

​@@JAG_Just_a_gamethank you for the song christof

[@RubyPiec]

Didn't expect you here

[@FileNotFound404]

We didn't just beat the game, we got the best ending.

[@fiblz5443]

uh….. having Gabor alive would have been a better ending 😔

[@sudokuacrobatics]

@@fiblz5443 But you can't choose the way to play.

[@fiblz5443]

@@sudokuacrobatics maybe its happy, maybe its sad..

[@Neutral_Mario]

We 100% percented the game

[@Warp2090]

@@fiblz5443 BUT YOU CANT CHOOSE THE WAY TO PLAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@eltavon]

Gotta love how the cover is made up of little Africas.

[@kopiko102277]

Everyone. We win. Thank you, Christof 🫡

[@ringkunmori]

I wish the lostwave community was larger. Not so we'd have an easier time finding music, but I want to see artists getting overwhelmed by the fact an entire city's worth of people suddenly show up to to form a flash fanbase. It's a really good feeling seeing an obscure artist finally getting the spotlight for a long forgotten track.

[@Edgeedman]

It is large already

[@Powbro1985]

Its becoming larger everyday, and its finally becoming a little bit mainstream in other social media like Instagram.

[@tymekgry]

Thanks to late Gabor and his daughter Dorka for uploading the one of the best lost media songs ever, i also would thank Christof (you), Mario Lehler (which may he rest in peace) and others for creating it (the fact you made the song with your band for the concert about world problems in Africa is very touching) - T.G, from Poland

[@eightohthreefilms]

his daughter*

[@tymekgry]

​@@eightohthreefilmsjust corrected, thanks

[@BrandyEvansVIsBackAgain]

​@@eightohthreefilmsI see you everywhete

[@eightohthreefilms]

@@BrandyEvansVIsBackAgain do you? where else lol

[@cosmoscaptainyuri]

After many years of searching and theorizing, the search finally comes to an end and a beautiful one at that. Despite th hardships and the terrible circumstances we had to deal with, the many hoaxes we had to overcome, we managed to find what we were searching for all this time. Thank you Gabor for introducing us to such a wonderful song and thank you sir for offering us this beautiful song 🧡🧡🧡

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

i am touched.

[@LobsterMobster25]

Almost wanna tear up reading this while listening to the song

[@LastPrismAlex]

We really got the best possible ending for this story, my favorite part of lostwave in general is being able to finally uncover the faces of the artists and seeing them finally getting all the praise they deserve, it's hard to believe that a song this good and made for such a lovely reason could've been lost forever if it wasn't for Gabor Thank you, Christof

[@Badmarchapril]

Ur into lostwave???

[@thiaguin8593]

I didn't expect the Mario Lehner recording at the beginning, that is spectacular. You didn't make only a song Christof, you made a masterpiece, this will go on forever as one of the best lost songs that have been found! (My favorite lostwave since I joined the community) I knew the moment I heard from the first time that this song would be an amazing one, and it was better than anything I could have expected. Thank you for everything Christof! Rip Gabor 🕊️🧡🎲

[@caricaturafea453]

Thank You Christof RIP Gabor

[@finalities]

o7

[@neko_gt9804]

O7

[@eightohthreefilms]

and RIP mario lehner

[@real_plague]

Amazing song, can’t stop listening to it ❤

[@Dacperius]

Gabor is proud of his daughter, may he rest in peace in our hearts!

[@Lostwave_Fan]

Mario Lehner really did have a nice voice, great for singing, May Mario & Gabor Rest in Peace, they both deserve this song being found all these years later. Everything since 30th June, Has been given me thrills in this search. We won the game, We will keep rollin' the dice 🧡🎲

[@MrPillowStudios]

Dear Christof, you have made one of the best if not the best lost wave song. Your song was inspirational to reflect the children of Africa. Even though it may seem out of place for starving children there, it is still a very good song.

[@thejbros3287]

Lyrics: Verse 1: Christof Bachmeier] Here I stand, all alone again Now I realize the signs are pushed away A thousand times I tried to remind myself To live for the moment, be happy with me [Pre-Chorus: Christof Bachmeier] But I lost the chance 'cause it didn't heed to my heart And it hurt so much to feel everything has gone [Verse 2: Regina Simon] Let's make a new start Let's realize what we're doing Not the money, or the power Will catch you when you fall See the children in the desert See their hopeless desperate eyes Ask the father what he feels When his hungry baby cries Pre-Chorus: Regina Simon] But I lost the chance 'cause you tried to get it all And you won't understand until your back is to the wall [Chorus: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play [Verse 3: Karli Mayer] Dead or alive, that's the password up to the time We got all we need, but we got no time to leave Oh, we don't care about the real things in life While we kill ourselves For a little bit of printed paper Oh, god! [Pre-Chorus: Karli Mayer] And we won't understand until my back is to the wall [Chorus: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play, oh [Guitar Solo] [Chorus: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose You can't! And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play And now I know it's just a game (Oh, now I know!) And I don't need the rules to play (It's just a game) Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play Now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad (Oh, it's sad, so sad) But you can't choose the way to play [Outro: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] Ohh, yeah I need no rules to play No rules to play I don't need no rules to play To play, no rules to play Need no rules

[@rojocatto]

Thank you so much, Christof! So nice to hear a higher quality version of the song, and it's more amazing to see that recording session with Mario Lehner at the beginning! I'm so happy this case was solved! May both Gabor and Mario rest in peace

[@vortexherelol]

*Christopher* Saint Booth *Christof* Bachmeir

[@TheMysticShaman7]

It was my favorite lost song ever And now it's probably my favorite entire lost song ever, I love it so much! Everything sounds great! Thank you Christof for sharing this footage of Mario (RIP) singing Just A Game and for that super quality audio of the song, I couldn't wish something better than this!! You guys rocks 🔥

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

thanx its so nice

[@collinb9476]

So surreal seeing mario sing that 😳

[@Notless]

Thank you Gabor, Dorka, Christof, Violeta and everyone else who helped on finding this amazing song! 🧡🎲

[@RaccoonEntrepreneur]

Don’t forget Chris’s daughter Violeta! She helped her dad with finding this footage.

[@Notless]

@@RaccoonEntrepreneur Yes, so grateful for her too! ^^

[@roso6998]

Very nice of you to show us everything! Thank you! RIP Gabor

[@LostwaveTT]

What a great song, and I’m glad it’s officially been found! Rest In Peace, Gabor ❤❤❤

[@carlwave]

Will there ever be a video of the song "A Chance To Change" aka the song on the other side of the Vinyl?

[@MURILOGABRIELCASADORODRIGUES]

This song was supposedly written by Josef Bartl and Rudi Baumann, the song was never released, the theory is that it was supposedly recorded and the singer of this song would be Rubi Baudmann, I don't know if he is alive but some people are talking that Josef Bartl passed away.

[@TheBausToTheKaus]

agreed, I really wanna hear the other song now!

[@IncredibleCactusRoll]

What a shame the song couldn't spread when it was new.

[@michalczewskii]

It was made just for charity :D It could be a great hit back then tho...

[@cool911]

Thank you Christof. You’re an angel! This is absolutely surreal. Everybody from the community appreciates you.

[@cool911]

Gabor is in our hearts always.

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

Thank you ... its surreal for me too. And i like it!

[@basicallyvevo6353]

You can really see the passion Mario Lehner was putting into his vocals. I know we can hear it, but seeing the footage shows it so much. This song is a thing of pure beauty. Thank you for this Christof. I hope one day you may decide to release the footage of the session, that would be incredible to see, if not then no worries. Rest In Peace Mario Lehner and Gabor. 🧡

[@sudokuacrobatics]

That ending though... It's almost like he's going to say "Finally! Only now are they listening to this song..."

[@jumbomills1319]

Yeah that ending got me good 😅

[@funnycomedymaster]

i love when artists of found lostwave songs are excited to share anything they can about their work, you can tell they worked hard on it and they’re happy to see people appreciating it after all these years

[@mstech-gamingandmore1827]

Yayyyy!! :) Thank you Christof! Best of luck to you and Violetta. Rest in piece, Gabor. You will always be remembered.

[@F1BastiPH]

1:02 once i heard mario's voice with the found footage, i immediately got goosebumps amazing voice 🤩

[@mrbizzaros]

The things I love most about lostwave are not just finding lost songs, but seeing how it makes people feel

[@NahuelFerreyra210]

From a 30-second clip to a video of how the song was recorded. Dude this is awesome

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

Yes it is ..... and i go back in time ...and find more and more forgotten songs

[@Skky_Nett]

Thank you very much for being so kind to upload this Christof! You have done an amazing job with this song that I really loved Now with this the memories of Gabor and Mario will be able to rest in peace and will always be remembered.

[@your_stepdad]

AND NOW I KNOW 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔊🔊🔊

[@tekk301]

IT'S JUST A GAME 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥

[@turneryoutubesystemthe2nd]

I DON'T NEED THE RULES TO PLAY 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔊🔊🔊

[@softfishitrashi5176]

MAYBE IT'S HAPPY🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔊🔊🔊

[@SinsterGaming]

MAYBE IT’S SAD 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@henriquecosta683]

BUT YOU CAN'T CHOOSE THE WAY TO PLAY 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔊🔊🔊

[@poachedeggos]

Thank you Christof for making this beautiful song. This song has inspired me to make music myself.

[@finalities]

Great seeing that

[@LuanTuber]

Just A Game (Lyrics): Here I stand, all alone again Now I realize the signs are pushed away A thousand times I tried to remind myself To live for the moment, be happy with me [Pre-Chorus: Christof Bachmeier] But I lost the chance 'cause it didn't heed to my heart And it hurt so much to feel everything has gone [Verse 2: Regina Simon] Let's make a new start Let's realize what we're doing Not the money, or the power Will catch you when you fall See the children in the desert See their hopeless desperate eyes Ask the father what he feels When his hungry baby cries Big Boogie 'Bop' (Live Performance) | Genius Open Mic [Pre-Chorus: Regina Simon] But I lost the chance 'cause you tried to get it all And you won't understand until your back is to the wall [Chorus: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play [Verse 3: Karli Mayer] Dead or alive, that's the password up to the time We got all we need, but we got no time to leave Oh, we don't care about the real things in life While we kill ourselves For a little bit of printed paper Oh, god! [Pre-Chorus: Karli Mayer] And we won't understand until my back is to the wall [Chorus: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play, oh [Guitar Solo] [Chorus: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose You can't! And now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play And now I know it's just a game (Oh, now I know!) And I don't need the rules to play (It's just a game) Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad But you can't choose the way to play Now I know it's just a game And I don't need the rules to play Maybe it's happy, maybe it's sad (Oh, it's sad, so sad) But you can't choose the way to play [Outro: Mario Lehner with Regina Simon] Ohh, yeah I need no rules to play No rules to play I don't need no rules to play To play, no rules to play Need no rules *(Thanks For All In This Journey, Finding This Song, And The Composter Offering The Highest Quality. 🫡 🟠 🎲 🕊)*

[@gabrielveliz1833]

Are those the official lyrics of the song?

[@weegee_dev167]

Danke Herr Bachmeier

[@TuxerTuxar]

It's honestly really cool to know the backstory to a song that nobody has heard of in 35 years, Thanks for sharing this, Christof, and Rest in Peace to Gabor, the man that started this entire search

[@fnafmemes7178]

Thank you, Christof for your kindness and helping us find this beautiful song once thought to be lost. Rest In Peace, Gabor. ❤️

[@JaredtheRabbit]

Danke, Christoph.

[@NMG24.]

One of the Best song of the late 80s Jag fan from mexico 🇲🇽🇲🇽

[@AntherFoxx]

Thank you Christof! This is the best case scenario for this song

[@kybancubinglostwave]

Cheers to you making the song digital! Glad to see you did this, and cheers to Dorka for finding the song, and Gabor for starting the search, and without him, this song would've never been found, and cheers to you and the band to writing this song!

[@TomLostWave]

Thank you for sharing this! this is amazing!!!! Cant believe this song was lost for so many years, we owe you guys for making this amazing piece and gabor for showing this song to the world

[@TheOne_6]

Nice to see you here! Your song got the recognition it deserves. It deserved to be a number 1 hit, not lost!

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

;-)) Christof

[@AIanRoblox]

This song sounds so epic I'm glad it was found

[@Will-sx3rz]

wonderful song 🤩🤩🤩 you are truly a genius 👏👏👏 if this had had more circulation, this would have been a hit from the 80s. I would like to hear more of your works🙏🙏🙏 a big hug from Chile🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱

[@Marbejablah]

This is the best possible ending. I even got a bit teary-eyed whilst listening to the full song. Thank you guys so much! ♥️ May Mario rest in peace

[@Tabs4812]

Still cannot believe this song was found 🙏🙏 it makes me so happy now that we have the full version

[@ELEcomments]

God bless you Christof for this amazing song!

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

Thank you....

[@TheDiamondCore]

Thank you for this amazing song, Christof

[@Maff.m.a.f.f]

Thank you Christof for creating this beautiful song! one of the best songs I've ever heard.🟠🎲 R.I.P Gabor and Mario. ⚰️🕊️

[@yungjay_cjb]

Thank you, Christof, for sharing this wonderful music and a clip of Mario while recording his part of it. We hope this music will be released on streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and KZbin! 🤍 Another achievement for Lostwave fans! 🫡

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

Today i sent it to Spotify and others. It will take a few days until it get released.

[@therryem]

This is so incredibly beautiful!!! We love you Christof!

[@tentaclestube]

best lost song ever.

[@Bodrick21]

Thank you Christof from everyone at the Just a Game subreddit!

[@piment0_420]

Thank you so much for actually caring and sharing all of these informations with us.

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

My pleasure.. ;)

[@D144AU]

Thank you very much for your generosity in locating the full song and extra footage!

[@Arlo-nq8lw]

Christof, your English is so good!

[@BitsOfBen]

This is amazing! I would love to hear “A chance for change” too.

[@unfairnessfrancosuperfranc9178]

Thank you Christof, for composing probably the best lostwave song I may have ever heard. And thank you too, Mario for singing this wonderful song.

[@jzuxzero]

you mean christof

[@unfairnessfrancosuperfranc9178]

already fixed the names

[@jzuxzero]

@@unfairnessfrancosuperfranc9178 thanks

[@tutuff3904]

Yeah guys, we found an ABSOLUTE BANGER.

[@TheCaptainAmelia]

Good song,Christoff! I like it

[@DukLoverEKT]

This song is incredible. Thank you so much for putting it on streaming services. People rarely do that which sucks. Absolute banger of a song though🔥🔥🔥

[@TotoBv2]

Great job Christof! The song sounds amazing and Mario singing on video in the beggining is absoultely mind-blowing! This is an amazing ending!

[@MOUNTAIN-098]

I hope to see this on Spotify and maybe some records. Really freaking awesome.

[@VenityGT]

This is my favorite lost song because of the story behind it. Thank you for making this beautiful song.

[@cfothough]

Thank you for making such a fantastic song!

[@Dandoners-liver]

Cannot believe Christof HADITONVINYL only and it was never on streaming and it took one EMAIL to confirm he’s the artist

[@regav62]

don't remind me of that guy

[@codyryan9789]

What guy?

[@codyryan9789]

(I KNOW, I'm not stupid)

[@Warp2090]

Streaming music is just bad.

[@ObserVateur19]

Truly Masterpiece! 🔥

[@vasyagrabinow5222]

YOU WIN! PERFECT!

[@Creatiusic]

And Now We Know, We Won The Game We Didn't Need The Rules To Play Maybe It Was Happy, Maybe It Was Sad But We Choosed The Right Way To Play!

[@rohanavalur910]

You couldn't be more off

[@Ry5PPlus]

​@@rohanavalur910literally

[@Creatiusic]

@@rohanavalur910 Excuse me. What? I don't understand

[@rohanavalur910]

@@Creatiusic The lyrics you wrote are really off.

[@Creatiusic]

@@rohanavalur910 What are you talking about? I know that these are not the lyrics, I just made an apposition of the chorus as if it were referring to this whole search. There are actually several who do this.

[@StefanoRezende]

What a story, ladies and gentlemen!!! Thank you, Christof! 🫡 R.I.P Gabor and Mario Lehner 🙏🏻

[@julceeeeee]

Thank you sir Christof! 💛

[@Inescapeium]

Thank you so much for creating a masterpiece that won't ever be forgotten by future generations

[@sonunplugged6557]

Christof, das ist ja eine Mega Geschichte ☺️🤩 und ein toller Song 🥳. Wir freuen uns sehr für dich ❤

[@redspear007]

So glad to hear the master tape recording here. It's so much more clear than what we had before, you can really hear all the awesome instrumental work in the background. This is such an awesome and detailed song

[@melonmoiso5208]

I had to be away for a long period of my attempted search, I've returned and I can't believe it was found.

[@SERiscool]

Im gonna be completely unbiased, this is one of the best songs a have ever heard. I’m actually so glad you made this because it is such a well composed song and has such great vocals.

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

Thanks....

[@cooler444]

Thank you very much for this entire song, it is one of those songs that not only sounds wonderful, but also has a beautiful story. I wish you health and only good emotions!

[@Queen_Vibri]

this song is forever peak 🔥🔥

[@JAG_Just_a_game]

;))

[@Killerkyw]

I've accompanied this search for a while, this is definitely another win for the lostwave community. Thank you Christof Bachmeier for digitalizing and helping on the creation of this amazing song which gets to be heard once again.

[@jumbomills1319]

Please do not stop uploading videos about the song and your career, I promise I’ll watch them all😅

[@vfxgolden]

RIP Gabor and RIP Mario fly high, Gabor we did it for you

[@CLOVER_5855]

THIS IS COMPLETELY CRAZY!!!!!🔥‼️‼️🔥‼️

[@getusrektus5208]

It's incredible what people can do when they work together. Thank you Chirstof for being so down to earth and thank you for this amazing song :)

[@ProphetOfGaster]

Truly a most epic conclusion. RIP Gabor

[@RedthegamingZoroark]

I honestly love how this song was found >w> Rest in peace both Mario and Gabor btw XP I love how this song feels like something that would in a Arcade back in the 80’s it just has that feeling through and through

[@Jeebopl91899]

Hearing this in high quality feels like my ears had been unclogged😩🤌

[@TriangleSyrup]

This is so cool! Thank you for sharing a high quality version of this great song.

[@plushiestory]

1:02 Imagine recording that bit without imagining that it would be the only thing saving this song from being completely lost and forgotten

[@vanudenthibeau146]

Most wholesome lostwave search ever

[@StanislawStanczyk-by4gg]

Thank you Mister Christof for making this masterpiece! Already one of my favourites. Greetings from Poland!

[@boywithberry]

We’ve finally won the game Thank you, Christof and the others who worked on this amazing song for making this and digitalizing it and giving it to us Lostwave fans. May Gabor rest in peace🕊️

[@Regularmilk]

🫵

[@betaglassman3661]

Muchhh loveeee Christof! This song is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Thank you Dorka and Gabor ❤❤

[@Revolutionary_War443ī]

It's very well composed