Winger disbanded in 1994. In 2001 they reunited and have since conducted several successful tours. In 2006, the band's 1993 touring line-up (minus Paul Taylor but including John Roth) reunited to record the band's first studio album in over 13 years, IV, and toured in support of the album into 2008.
In 2009, the band released their fifth album, Karma. As of 2013, Winger was performing on mini-tours, festivals and private events. Their most recent album, Better Days Comin', came out in 2014.
History:
Main career and break-up (1987–1994).
The debut album, Winger, was released on August 10, 1988 on Atlantic Records. The record was a success, achieving platinum status in the United States, and gold status in Japan and Canada. On February 11, 1989, the album peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, and was in various places on the chart for 63 weeks. Radio and MTV hits from the album included "Madalaine", "Seventeen", "Headed for a Heartbreak" and "Hungry". In 1990, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for "Best New Heavy Metal Band".
Shortly after that tour, Winger released its second album In the Heart of the Young, which went 1-and-1/2 platinum in the U.S. and gold in Japan. Hit radio tracks and MTV videos included "Can't Get Enuff", "Miles Away" and "Easy Come Easy Go".
Winger followed the release of its second album with a 13-month world tour, playing over 230 dates with Kiss, Scorpions, ZZ Top, Extreme and Slaughter. Paul Taylor left the band after the tour, citing exhaustion after years of touring. Their third studio album, Pull, produced by Mike Shipley, was recorded in 1992/1993 as a three-piece band. It was originally to be called Blind Revolution Mad, after the opening song. Reportedly, Kip Winger, anticipating that critics would dismiss the album out of hand, renamed it Pull as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the CD being used by critics as a skeet-shooting target. The album was not as successful as the previous albums sales wise, but gained solid reviews. On the following tour, John Roth was called in to replace Paul Taylor on rhythm guitar. The album coincided with the rise of grunge, which swept aside the brand of melodic pop metal that Winger represented.
In the 1990s, Winger was subject to mockery from MTV's animated series Beavis and Butt-head. Series creator Mike Judge later revealed that he had been incorrectly informed that Kip Winger had asked the network not to make jokes about the band on the series, which led to further jokes about the band, but later learned from Winger himself that he had never made any such stipulation. “Stewart”, an early character from the TV show, wore a Winger t-shirt during the shows original run on MTV during the early 90s.
After disbanding in 1994, bassist/lead vocalist Kip Winger went on to a solo career, guitarist Reb Beach went on to touring projects with artists Dokken, Alice Cooper and has held a permanent guitar spot in Whitesnake since 2002. The band's other members pursued or resumed careers as session musicians.
Reunions (2001–present)
In 2001, it was announced that all original members of the band would return to the studio to record the song "On the Inside" for The Very Best of Winger. In 2002, all five members embarked on a reunion tour of the U.S. and Canada on a bill with Poison. According to Kip Winger, in a 2008 interview with rock and roll comic C.C. Banana, it was important to include all five members because "it was the big, long-awaited reunion so I wanted to include everybody who had ever been in the band." In 2003, it was confirmed that activity had been halted due to Reb Beach's touring commitment with Whitesnake as well as his solo album "Masquerade" and involvement with "super-group" project The Mob with King's X frontman Doug Pinnick and Night Ranger drummer Kelly Keagy.
On July 16, 2005, it was announced that Kip Winger would perform as the lead singer for the Alan Parsons Live Project at the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing, Michigan. In May 2006, it was confirmed that Winger had reformed without one of its original members Paul Taylor, to record another album and tour Europe. The album, IV, was released in Europe in October and the nine-country "Winger IV Tour" ran in the last two weeks of the same month.
On February 25, 2008, the band performed in Providence, Rhode Island, as part of a benefit for survivors of the Station nightclub fire. The concert, along with other artists was debuted on VH1 Classic on March 23, 2008. In late 2009, it was confirmed that Winger would record a fifth album Karma, with a tour to support it. Most recently, John Roth became the guitarist for Giant and would appear on their forthcoming album Promise Land then set for release in February/March of 2010.
Winger released their sixth studio album titled, Better Days Comin' in April 2014, after teasers were published on Kip Winger's website and on the official Winger Facebook page as well.
As of late 2018, Winger was playing club dates. They were scheduled on Dec 29, 2018 in Westland, Michigan.
Style and influences.
The band's musical style combines elements of glam metal and progressive metal. Kip Winger, in description of the band's musical ability and style, said, "Our band was known to musicians, and a lot of musicians showed up to see me play — watching, trying to figure out how I'm playing. We were like the 'hair band' (version of) Dream Theater."
Spell I'm under
Winger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a word I hear so much
Woman under the spell
Every sin holy in your touch
It's all I feel it's all I see
And all I know it must be you
You're the spell I'm under
You're the spell I'm under
Every inch born a new obsession
Woman how did you know
That I couldn't have helped myself from comin' closer
To the oracle of faith taboo
All my temptation hooked on you
You're the spell I'm under
Must be you
You're the spell I'm under
Feels like a drug
My will revealed in your spell
I remember...
You're all I feel you're all I see
Revolving in the need for you
You're the spell I'm under
I know it must be you
You're the spell I'm under
Feels like a drug
Didn't take very long
The lyrics of Winger's song "Spell I'm Under" describe the singer's deep infatuation with a woman who seems to have put him under a spell. It is said that without even speaking a word, she has managed to captivate him completely. He describes every touch from her as holy, and is completely consumed by his obsession for her. He admits to being hooked on her, unable to resist the taboo feelings of temptation she arouses in him. The singer remembers feeling completely immersed in her presence, and unable to escape the hold she has over him. He compares his obsession to a drug, feeling like he is under the influence of her spell.
Overall, the song speaks to the all-consuming, intoxicating nature of infatuation and attraction, and the way in which it can completely take over someone's life. The lyrics express a sense of being under another person's control and being unable to resist their power and influence.
Line by Line Meaning
Woman never before
I've never met a woman quite like you
Without a word I hear so much
Your aura speaks to me even when you're silent
Woman under the spell
You have a mesmerizing effect on me
Every sin holy in your touch
Even the bad things feel good when I'm with you
It's all I feel it's all I see
My entire being is consumed by thoughts of you
And all I know it must be you
I'm certain that you are the cause of this feeling
You're the spell I'm under
You have complete control over me
Woman how deep can I go
I'm willing to explore every aspect of our connection
Every inch born a new obsession
The more I discover about you, the more I want to know
Woman how did you know
You seem to understand me better than I understand myself
That I couldn't have helped myself from comin' closer
Your pull on me is too strong to resist
To the oracle of faith taboo
Our attraction goes against what's considered acceptable by society
All my temptation hooked on you
I'm completely addicted to you
Feels like a drug
Being with you is like being high
My will revealed in your spell
You have the power to make me lose all self-control
You're all I feel you're all I see
My world revolves around you
Revolving in the need for you
I can't survive without you
I know it must be you
There's no other explanation for this intense feeling
Didn't take very long
I fell for you quickly and deeply
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHARLES WINGER, RICHARD E BEACH JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kade
This song has one of the most haunting intense and sensual atmosphere's I've ever come across. Kip's voice is perfect, and Reb's solo is pure magic!!
Eva Rojas Bassist
Kip Winger makes such beautiful music. I remember back in the 90's the music press attacked him in a horrible manner, but entire band's talent endured that. I am so proud.
Krystle W
What an absolutely beautiful song, this touches and stirs the soul. One of my all time favorites. Thank you Winger!
Jeff Rockel
Phenomenal record! I loves Winger III This came out in in 1993 & holds up against anything you hear today.
TheMikealias
One of the most amazing songs and videos ever! Highly underrated band.
Richard 6000
I was a teen in the 80's and Winger was one of my fav bands. Keep ROCKEN KIP.
DefLeppardVanHalen
I'm almost 27 and I got the three classic albums on CD. They're awesome. Best band with the greatest musicianship and songwriting ever. RIP Beatrice Winger
Dawn Phillips
I just found this song along with Miles Away and when I found out your wife died my heart just broke. I've even shed a tear. Sometimes the things we have to live through suck. Absolutely beautiful song!!!
DVRAN
Awesome song, love Kip's voice!
rockhillbilly1
This is such a great song live on his acustic, you feel the power of the song