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."
Without the Night
Winger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can hear the sound of your voice haunting me again
But just the sound is not enough, I try to wait, but I'm not that tough
It's hard to do when I need you here, it seems like forever
Without the night, this would be so much easier
Without the night reminding me of the pain
Without the night, I could keep my heart from believin'
I remember you used to say, how much you've been through
And laugh how easy the pain can break your heart in two
All for love, you've given up, you try to wait, but you're not that tough
Too many times when you need me near, it seems like forever
Without the night, this would be so much easier
Without the night reminding me of the pain
Without the night, I could keep my heart from believin'
I'd be fine without the night
without the night
All for love, I've given up, I try to wait, but I'm not that tough
Too many times when I need you here, it seems like forever
Without the night, this would be so much easier
Without the night reminding me of the pain
Without the night, I could keep my heart from believin'
I'd be fine without the night
Without the night, this would be so much easier
Without the night reminding me of the pain
Without the night, I could keep my heart from believin'
I'd be fine without the night
I'll be fine without the night
The lyrics to Winger's song "Without the Night" speak of the pain and heartbreak that comes from a relationship ending. The singer watches the sun go down and is reminded of the person they miss, hearing their voice in their head. However, the singer acknowledges that it is not enough, they need the person physically there with them. The night adds to the difficulty by reminding them of the pain that they are feeling. The chorus repeats this sentiment, stating that without the night, the pain would be easier to bear.
The song then switches to a perspective of the other person in the broken relationship, the person who had "laughed how easy the pain can break your heart in two." This person has also given up too many times and needs the singer near. The song then repeats the chorus, emphasizing the idea that without the night, everything would be better.
Overall, "Without the Night" is a sad song about the end of a relationship and the pain that comes with it. Despite the difficulties, the singer ultimately believes that they will be okay without the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Watch the sun go down, it's just my luck again
The singer is watching the sun set, feeling unlucky and sorrowful.
I can hear the sound of your voice haunting me again
The singer is haunted by the memory of the person's voice.
But just the sound is not enough, I try to wait, but I'm not that tough
The singer longs for more than just a memory, but finds it hard to wait.
It's hard to do when I need you here, it seems like forever
The artist finds it difficult to live without the person and time feels endless.
Without the night, this would be so much easier
The artist believes that they could cope better without the darkness that reminds them of their pain.
Without the night reminding me of the pain
The singer wants the night to stop bringing memories of pain.
Without the night, I could keep my heart from believin'
The singer believes that without the night, they could stop believing in the possibility of love and avoid further heartbreak.
I'd be fine without the night
The artist insists that they would be okay without the darkness that intensifies their pain.
I remember you used to say, how much you've been through
The artist recalls the other person sharing their experiences of hardship.
And laugh how easy the pain can break your heart in two
The person used to joke about how easily heartbreak can shatter someone.
All for love, you've given up, you try to wait, but you're not that tough
The singer acknowledges the sacrifices the person made for love but recognizes that waiting for it is tough, too.
Too many times when you need me near, it seems like forever
The artist recognizes that being apart for too long makes time feel endless.
I'll be fine without the night
The singer reiterates that they can cope without the darkness and the painful memories it brings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: K. WINGER, P. TAYLOR, R. BEACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind