Nathaniel Rateliff (born Nathaniel David Rateliff on 7 October 1978 in St. … Read Full Bio ↴Nathaniel Rateliff (born Nathaniel David Rateliff on 7 October 1978 in St. Louis, MI) is an American singer and songwriter based in Denver, whose influences are described as folk, Americana and vintage rhythm & blues. Rateliff has garnered attention with Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, the soulful R&B combo he formed in 2013. He has also released solo albums and under the name Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel.

http://www.nathanielrateliff.com/

Members:
Nathaniel Rateliff
Patrick Meese
Julie Davis
Joseph Pope III
James Han

How to Win
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wait.
We're going to win
It's about time we did
And I can't decide at all if we're good
And sure, I've been
You got a face that's hard to forget.

Aw,

I'm gonna get back to you
And oh, I know
It's hard to notice every small movement and slipping through the cracks.
And, well, it's what no one ever sees,
but it's got hard-working knees.
Well, calm me down.
I gets so rough.
I'm wallowing for months at a time.
I got no presence.

Here, I've got warm lonliness.
The heart just won't quit.

Overall Meaning

Nathaniel Rateliff's song "How To Win" is a ballad about the struggle of self-doubt and personal redemption. The opening line, "Wait. We're going to win. It's about time we did," suggests a shift in perspective, from self-doubt to a more confident outlook. However, the singer acknowledges that he "can't decide at all if we're good," highlighting the lingering self-doubt that still haunts him.

The verse "You got a face that's hard to forget" adds a personal touch to the song, perhaps alluding to a specific person who has impacted the singer's life. The second verse takes a turn towards introspection, as the singer reflects on the small movements and actions that go unnoticed by others. He acknowledges the hard work that goes into achieving success, but also recognizes the mental and emotional toll it can take.

The line "I got no presence" could be interpreted as a feeling of inadequacy or invisibility, but the final line "The heart just won't quit" suggests that despite everything, the singer's inner drive and spirit continue to persevere. Overall, "How To Win" is a poignant reflection on the complex emotions and struggles of the human experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Wait.
Pause and hold on.

We're going to win
We will be triumphant.

It's about time we did
We've been waiting for this moment for a long time.

And I can't decide at all if we're good
I'm not certain if we are capable.

And sure, I've been
Admittedly, I've faced certain challenges and setbacks.

You got a face that's hard to forget.
Your appearance is unforgettable.

Aw, I'm gonna get back to you
I'll return to you soon.

And oh, I know
I am aware.

It's hard to notice every small movement and slipping through the cracks.
It's difficult to detect every minor detail and prevent errors.

And, well, it's what no one ever sees, but it's got hard-working knees.
The unseen effort and hard work is crucial to success.

Well, calm me down.
Relax my emotions.