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."
You Are The Saint I Am The Sinner
Winger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can´t see inside your cold heart
I have witnessed you, now let the
Truth be a light in the dark
Yeah I can see so clearly
Right through your crying there´s no denying
You point the finger, cast the first stone
Still blaming me, sayin´...
You are the saint I am the sinner
You laugh as my heart turns to stone
You are the saint I am the sinner
Prey til my flesh hits the bone
You love watching the blood dripping
Off of your hands
But like the rising sun your reflection will come
Put you up on the stand
Yeah I can see so clearly
Right through your crying there´s no denying
You point the finger from up on your throne
You promise, you wink, you honestly think that...
You are the saint I am the sinner
You laugh as my heart turns to stone
You are the saint I am the sinner
Prey til my flesh hits the bone
Soon to your demon you will be a slave
Watching these words but until that day...
You are the saint I am the sinner
You laugh as my heart turns to stone
You are the saint I am the sinner
Prey til my flesh hits the bone
The lyrics of Winger's song "You Are The Saint I Am The Sinner" depict a narrative about a manipulative person who pretends to be the victim, knowingly blaming others for their own mistakes. The singer of the song, on the other hand, seems to be an astute observer who can see through the façade of the manipulator. The lyrics begin by questioning the manipulator's deceitful nature and how their true self is revealed in the darkness. The singer claims to have witnessed the manipulator's actions, and it is time for the truth to shine in the darkness.
Further, the singer points out that the manipulator is projecting themselves as a saint while blaming others for their own wrongdoing. Additionally, they appear to love seeing others hurt and making them feel guilty for things they have not done. Despite the manipulator's rightful guilt, they continue to blame others and refuse to take responsibility for their actions. The chorus asserts the contrast between the manipulator and the singer: "You Are The Saint I Am The Sinner," where the manipulator is the saint, and the singer is the sinner. The manipulator is portrayed as being callous and indifferent to the singer's feelings, laughing as they hurt. While the manipulator remains in denial, the singer sees through it and predicts that as karma, their reflection will come and put them on the stand one day.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you really believe that I
Do you seriously think that I am unaware of your true nature?
Can´t see inside your cold heart
I am well aware of your cold-heartedness and malice.
I have witnessed you, now let the
I have observed your behavior and now it's time to reveal the truth.
Truth be a light in the dark
The truth shall be revealed and it will enlighten everyone.
Yeah I can see so clearly
I see through all your lies and deceit.
Right through your crying there´s no denying
Your fake tears won't save you from the truth.
You point the finger, cast the first stone
You accuse me of things you're guilty of yourself.
Knowing you´re guilty you´re
You are aware of your own guilt,
Still blaming me, sayin´...
yet you continue to put the blame on me.
You are the saint I am the sinner
You portray yourself as being virtuous while painting me as the wicked one.
You laugh as my heart turns to stone
You find pleasure in my pain and suffering.
Prey til my flesh hits the bone
You hunt me down until I'm completely broken and defeated.
You love watching the blood dripping
You enjoy seeing the consequences of your malicious actions.
Off of your hands
You take pleasure in the harm you have caused.
But like the rising sun your reflection will come
You will eventually face the consequences of your actions.
Put you up on the stand
You will be judged and held accountable for your deeds.
You promise, you wink, you honestly think that...
You make empty promises and act like you're innocent.
Soon to your demon you will be a slave
You will eventually be controlled by your own evil nature.
Watching these words but until that day...
You can deny it, but the truth is still there waiting for you.
You are the saint I am the sinner
You falsely accuse me of wrongdoing and paint yourself as the righteous one.
Prey til my flesh hits the bone
You relentlessly victimize me until I am completely defeated.
You laugh as my heart turns to stone
You delight in my pain and distress.
You are the saint I am the sinner
You refuse to acknowledge your own wrongdoing and blame me for everything.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WINGER BEACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Machu Pikachu
Prog pop. Love it! Your band Slays! I'm so glad you keep putting out stellar compositions.
Antonieta Schanuel
I love this song! It is amazing to watch the band on the stage in the 90´s!!!
Heavy BR - Metal Legendado & Full Albums
be proud of your band, of you as frontman and of your music bro ...you killed and you makes my life easier. thank you very much, Kip ...hope you return to POA as soon as possibl
Mr. Skeffington
I was hooked after this song...
Marco Gallo
Winger Rocks
White Lion
W I N G E R
Kayla Schulz
it takes two