While ARS would never reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Marshall Tucker Band, the group had a strong following in the south and charted a number of hits such as "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Going to Let it Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," and a remake of a Classics IV hit, "Spooky."
The band also influenced a number of rock and country artists, notably Travis Tritt, who recorded a cover of the ARS songs, "Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick." The group Shudder to Think covered "So Into You."
Quinella
Atlanta Rhythm Section Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hit the jackpot
Finally, I got it all
Right when they had me
Backed up against the wall
Such a lucky fella
That's what I am
I hit the quinella
I picked a winner this time
So, break out the champagne
Let's have a party
I got money
And money was made to spend
Here's to the winner
Everybody loves a winner
Here's to all outsiders lookin' in
I was a rank outsider
Yes, I was
Oh, but no, no more
So come on, Cinderella
Let's take a long shot
We got a red hot hand
Don't ask them questions
I'll take it any way I can
Ooh, sweet quinella
I hit a home run
That makes me one and oh
So, shake my hand
I'm the luckiest man you know
Everybody, break out the champagne
Let's have a party
I got money
And money was made to spend
Oh yes, it was
Here's to the winner
Everybody loves a winner
Here's to all outsiders lookin' in
I was a rank outsider (a rank outsider)
Yes, I was
Whoa, sweet quinella
I hit a long shot
Finally, I got it all
Right when they had me
Backed up against the wall
Look at this lucky fella
That's what I am
And I don't give a damn if I die
I hit the quinella
I picked a winner this time
Oh come on, break out the champagne
Let's have a party
I got a pocket full of money
I was made to spend
Here's to the winner
Everybody loves a winner
Here's to all outsiders lookin' in
I was a rank outsider
But not no more
In Atlanta Rhythm Section's song, "Quinella," the singer celebrates his good fortune and success with the titular gambling term. He describes hitting the jackpot and finally getting it all just when he felt like he was backed up against the wall. The singer is proud of his outsider status and how he was able to pick a winner in the quinella, which he compares to hitting a home run. He is quite exuberant in his celebration and plans to party with his newfound wealth.
The song is all about luck and seizing opportunity, but it also touches on themes of class and social status. The singer considers himself a lucky outsider, someone who wasn't expected to succeed but proved everyone wrong with his win. He revels in his newfound wealth, but he also recognizes that there are still outsiders looking in who haven't had the same good fortune. The singer's attitude throughout the song is one of confidence and bravado, but also one of gratitude for his success.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the quinella
Celebrating their recent success with a bet on the quinella horse race.
I hit the jackpot
Won big on the race, feeling extremely fortunate.
Finally, I got it all
After struggling through tough times, things are finally looking up.
Right when they had me backed up against the wall
Found success when things seemed most difficult.
Such a lucky fella, that's what I am
Feeling grateful for the recent fortune.
And I don't give a damn if I die
Feeling carefree and unafraid of the future, regardless of potential risks.
I hit the quinella, I picked a winner this time
Feeling accomplished for correctly choosing the right horses.
So break out the champagne, let's have a party
Celebrating the victory with excitement and joy.
I got money and money was made to spend
Enjoying the winnings from the bet.
Here's to the winner, everybody loves a winner
People often gravitate towards those who succeed and achieve their goals.
Here's to all outsiders lookin' in, I was a rank outsider
Celebrating the success despite being an outsider in terms of social status or financial means.
So come on, Cinderella, let's take a long shot
Encouraging someone who may feel hesitant or scared to take a risk.
We got a red hot hand, don't ask them questions
Feeling confident in their abilities and not wanting to be doubted.
Ooh, sweet quinella, I hit a home run
Thrilled with their success and comparing it to a home run in baseball.
That makes me one and oh, so shake my hand
Feeling proud of their winning record and wanting recognition for it.
Whoa, sweet quinella, I hit a long shot
Feeling like they achieved something difficult or unexpected.
Look at this lucky fella, that's what I am
Feeling overwhelmingly grateful for their success.
I got a pocket full of money, I was made to spend
Enjoying their wealth and wanting to use it to live life to the fullest.
But not no more
No longer viewing themselves as an outsider or underdog, feeling confident moving forward.
Contributed by Aaliyah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joe Blo
on Indigo Passion
I think the 4th line should read: "And all of the HUES in between."
love.