Won The Battle
Robert Cray Lyrics


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The fighting's over, this time I won
I yelled the loudest, had the biggest gun
She packed up all her bags and walked right out the door
Looks like I won the battle but lost the war

She was speechless once I made her cry
But she had the last word if you count good bye
Now I've got cold silence across the killin' floor
Looks like I won the battle but lost the war

Whose fault is it?
When we can't get along
Let's get back together, darling
Who cares who's been right or wrong?

I'm ready to surrender but she won't talk no more
Looks like I won the battle but lost the war
Will she ever forgive me? Sure is hard to tell
If she'll have a change of heart to save me from this hell

I'm ready to surrender but she won't talk no more




Looks like I won the battle but lost the war
Looks like I won the battle but lost the war

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robert Cray's song "Won The Battle" are about a man who believes he has won the argument with his lover, but in reality, he has lost her completely. He brags about how he had the "biggest gun" and "yelled the loudest," but in the end, she leaves him behind. He wonders whose fault it is that they cannot get along and wishes for a reconciliation, but in the end, it seems she has moved on.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Looks like I won the battle but lost the war," indicating that the man has come out victorious in the argument, but has ultimately lost the greater battle of love and companionship.


What is particularly interesting about this song is that the lyrics highlight a recurring theme in blues and soul music, which is the pain of lost love. This particular song uses military language to describe the relationship between the man and woman, a metaphor that is both intense and unusual for a song about love.


Another interesting aspect of this song is its instrumentation, which features a steady bass line, bluesy guitar riffs, and a simple, catchy melody. Robert Cray's distinctive voice adds a touch of vulnerability to the story being told in the song.


Overall, "Won The Battle" is a powerful piece of music that explores the heartache and sorrow that come with the end of a relationship. While it may seem like the man has won the argument, the deeper truth is that he has lost far more than he could ever have imagined.


Line by Line Meaning

The fighting's over, this time I won
The argument between the singer and his partner has ended, and he feels as though he came out on top.


I yelled the loudest, had the biggest gun
He was the most aggressive and domineering in the argument.


She packed up all her bags and walked right out the door
His partner left him following the disagreement.


Looks like I won the battle but lost the war
Although he may have won the argument, he ultimately lost his relationship with his partner in the process.


She was speechless once I made her cry
His partner was too hurt and upset to respond after he made her cry during the argument.


But she had the last word if you count good bye
Ultimately, his partner had the final say in their argument when she left him.


Now I've got cold silence across the killin' floor
There is now a cold and distant atmosphere between himself and his partner.


Whose fault is it?
The singer is questioning who should be held responsible for the end of their relationship.


When we can't get along
The singer acknowledges that he and his partner had difficulty getting along with each other.


Let's get back together, darling
Despite their differences, he is willing to try and reconcile with her.


Who cares who's been right or wrong?
He believes that it is more important to let go of the past and work towards a future together.


I'm ready to surrender but she won't talk no more
He is willing to give in and admit fault, but his partner is refusing to communicate with him.


Will she ever forgive me? Sure is hard to tell
The singer is uncertain whether his partner will ever forgive him.


If she'll have a change of heart to save me from this hell
He is hopeful that his partner will have a change of heart and they can salvage their relationship.


Looks like I won the battle but lost the war
He restates the idea that he may have won their argument, but ultimately lost his partner and their relationship.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James R. Pugh, Dennis Leo Walker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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