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."
Who's The One
Winger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the imitations turn to grey
When the Iron Man begins to rust
And the Holy Water turns to dust
What will be your savior now
Dragon or machine
Who will wear the crown of thorns
In Mother Nature's dream
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
When believers start to lose the faith
And the naked army falls from grace
When all extremes return to one
See them melt into the setting sun
The bounty on the rebel's heart
Washed away the pride
Drove the voice a million miles
Across the great divide
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
Who's the one
Who denied my eyes to see
Truth behind double tongue
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
The bounty on the rebel's heart
Washed away the pride
Drove the voice a million miles
Across the great divide
Who's the one
Who claimed my libery
Robbed my soul of freedom
Who's the one
Who denied my eyes to see
Truth behind double tongue
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
The chorus of Winger's song 'Who's The One' is a powerful expression of anger and frustration towards someone who has claimed the singer's liberty and robbed them of their soul's freedom. The verses present a series of vivid images, suggesting that everything around the singer is decaying and breaking down - the colors are fading, imitations turning to grey, Iron Man rusting, and Holy Water turning to dust. The lyrics ask who will be the savior now, as everything crumbles and falls apart. The singer questions whether it will be a Dragon or a machine that will wear the crown of thorns, and who will triumph in Mother Nature's dream.
The second verse takes a darker turn, suggesting that all extremes will return to one and the naked army will fall from grace. The bounty on the rebel's heart is washed away, their pride blunted as they're driven a million miles across the great divide. The repeated refrain "Who's the one" is almost accusatory, demanding an answer to the question of who has robbed the singer of their liberty and freedom.
The lyrics are a powerful commentary on the state of the world and the impact of those who wield power and influence over others. The song speaks to a universal desire for freedom and autonomy, and the frustration that comes when those freedoms are taken away. The imagery throughout the lyrics is vivid and evocative, adding to the emotional impact of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
When all the colors begin to fade
When life loses its vibrancy and excitement.
And the imitations turn to grey
When things that are fake and superficial lose their appeal.
When the Iron Man begins to rust
When things that were once strong and powerful start to weaken and decay.
And the Holy Water turns to dust
When things that were once sacred lose their power and meaning.
What will be your savior now
What will you turn to for hope and salvation?
Dragon or machine
Will you seek aid from myths, legends, and ideals or from technology
Who will wear the crown of thorns
Who will be the one to suffer and bear the burden in this new order?
In Mother Nature's dream
In the greater cosmic scheme, in line with natural order.
Who's the one
Who is responsible or to blame?
Who claimed my liberty
Who took away my freedom and control?
Robbed my soul of freedom
Who violated my spirit and inner being?
How long must I put up with the
How much more can I bear?
Unholy sound of your gun
The sound of violence and oppression.
Tell me, brother
Ask me and give me an answer.
When believers start to lose the faith
When people lose trust in their faith and beliefs.
And the naked army falls from grace
When an army that was once revered and respected is now disgraced and weakened.
When all extremes return to one
When there is a compromising of all ideologies and beliefs.
See them melt into the setting sun
See them disappear and dissolve like the sun setting.
The bounty on the rebel's heart
The reward placed on those who defy and oppose the established order.
Washed away the pride
The reward lured rebels into forgetting their past doubts and motives and losing their sense of identity.
Drove the voice a million miles
The reward drove the voice (of reason and dissent) far away and silenced it.
Across the great divide
Beyond the point of return and reconciliation.
Who denied my eyes to see
Who kept me from seeing the truth?
Truth behind double tongue
The manipulation and deception practiced by authority figures and those in power.
How long must I put up with the
How much more can I bear?
Unholy sound of your gun
The sound of violence and oppression.
Tell me, brother
Ask me and give me an answer.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHARLES WINGER, RICHARD E BEACH JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
Who's the One
Winger
Album: Pull
When the colors all begin to fade
And the imitations turns to grey
When the Iron Man begins to rust
When the Holy Water turns to dust
What will be your savior now
Dragon or machine
And who will wear the crown of thorns
In Mother Nature's dream
And who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
And how long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
When believers start to lose the faith
And the naked army falls from grace
When all extremes return to one
See them melt into the setting sun
The bounty on the rebel's heart
Washed away the pride
Drove the voice a million miles
Across the great divide
Tell me who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
And who's the one
Who denied my eyes to see
Truth behind double tongue
And who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
And how long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
The bounty on the rebel's heart
Washed away the pride
Drove the voice a million miles
Across the great divide
Tell me who's the one
Who claimed my libery
Robbed my soul of freedom
And who's the one
Who denied my eyes to see
Truth behind double tongue
And who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
How long...
Written by: CHARLES WINGER, RICHARD E BEACH JR
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
℗ 1993 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States
Rafael S
Lyrics
Winger - Who's The One
When all the colors begin to fade
And the imitations turn to grey
When the Iron Man begins to rust
And the Holy Water turns to dust
What will be your savior now
Dragon or machine
Who will wear the crown of thorns
In Mother Nature's dream
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
When believers start to lose the faith
And the naked army falls from grace
When all extremes return to one
See them melt into the setting sun
The bounty on the rebel's heart
Washed away the pride
Drove the voice a million miles
Across the great divide
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
Who's the one
Who denied my eyes to see
Truth behind double tongue
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
The bounty on the rebel's heart
Washed away the pride
Drove the voice a million miles
Across the great divide
Who's the one
Who claimed my libery
Robbed my soul of freedom
Who's the one
Who denied my eyes to see
Truth behind double tongue
Who's the one
Who claimed my liberty
Robbed my soul of freedom
How long must I put up with the
Unholy sound of your gun
Tell me, brother
Rafael S
PT - BR
Winger - Quem É Aquele
Quando todas as cores começam a desbotar
E as imitações ficam acinzentadas
Quando o Homem de Ferro começa a enferrujar
E a água benta vira pó
Qual será o seu salvador agora
Dragão ou máquina
Quem vai usar a coroa de espinhos
No sonho da Mãe Natureza
Quem é aquele
Que alegou a minha liberdade
Roubou minha alma da liberdade
Quanto tempo eu devo aturar o
Som impuro de sua arma
Diga-me irmão
Quando os crentes começam a perder a fé
Eo exército nu cai de carência
Quando extremo oposto retorna
Veja-os derreter no sol poente
A generosidade no coração dos rebeldes
Lavou o orgulho
Dirigiu a voz a milhões de milhas
Em torno da da grande divisão
Quem é aquele
Que alegou a minha liberdade
Roubou minha alma de liberdade
Quem é aquele
Que negou meus olhos para ver
Verdade por trás de língua dupla
Quem é aquele
Que alegou a minha liberdade
Roubou minha alma de liberdade
Quanto tempo eu devo aturar o
Som impuro de sua arma
Diga-me irmão
A generosidade no coração dos rebeldes
Lavou o orgulho
Dirigiu a voz a milhões de milhas
Em torno da da grande divisão
Quem é aquele
Que alegou a minha liberdade
Roubou minha alma de liberdade
Quem é aquele
Que negou meus olhos para ver
Verdade por trás de língua dupla
Quem é aquele
Que alegou a minha liberdade
Roubou minha alma de liberdade
Quanto tempo eu devo aturar o
Som impuro de sua arma
Diga-me irmão
GWyld
This song has so much meaning now as it did then. Pull was the greatest Winger album that few heard.
shane ellis
Totally 100% agree!!!!!
Ashfault Jungle
Agree!!!!!
C. Stevans
Right on the mark!
Amy Decker
We need this song right now
Victor Graham
I dont care what people say about Winger this is a GREAT song!
Harry Essio
they say he is genious that leads a great band so they are spot on
gornhorror
They should play this video on TV now. Very relevant, beyond measure!!!
ralphkjb
Heard this song for the first time today. I didn’t think it was possible, but I found a Winger song I like more than headed for a heartbreak.
liselle sloan
How about "Spell I'm Under," about Kip's late wife, who is in the long shots?