About the song
Kris Kristofferson, a name synonymous with country music’s golden era, has lent his soulful voice to countless memorable tunes. Among his vast repertoire, “The Winner,” a poignant ballad penned by the enigmatic Shel Silverstein, stands as a testament to Kristofferson’s ability to convey raw emotion and complex themes with unparalleled authenticity. Released in 2010 as part of the tribute album Twistable, Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute To The Songs of Shel Silverstein, this track offers a unique perspective on the concept of victory.
Silverstein’s lyrics, as always, are imbued with a certain dark humor and a keen eye for the absurdities of life. In “The Winner,” he presents a twisted view of triumph, one where the victor is not necessarily the one who emerges physically unscathed or financially prosperous. Instead, the victory lies in surviving, in persevering through adversity, and in maintaining one’s dignity in the face of defeat. Kristofferson’s interpretation of these lyrics is nothing short of masterful. His weathered voice, filled with both weariness and resilience, perfectly captures the character’s complex emotions.
The song’s narrative is centered around a barroom brawl, a seemingly mundane event that is elevated to a metaphor for the struggles of life. The protagonist, though physically battered, claims victory based on his ability to walk away from the fight. This unconventional definition of winning is both thought-provoking and relatable. It suggests that true victories are often internal, and that the most significant battles are those fought within ourselves.
Musically, “The Winner” is a stripped-down affair, with Kristofferson’s vocals accompanied by a sparse arrangement of acoustic guitar and subtle percussion. This simplicity allows the lyrics and the singer’s emotional delivery to take center stage. The song’s melancholic tone and introspective lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences with triumph and defeat.
Key themes explored in “The Winner” include:
- The nature of victory: Silverstein and Kristofferson challenge traditional notions of winning, suggesting that true victory is often found in unexpected places.
- Resilience: The song celebrates the human capacity to endure hardship and emerge stronger.
- The passage of time: The lyrics evoke a sense of aging and mortality, as the protagonist reflects on his life and the choices he has made.
“The Winner” is more than just a song; it is a meditation on the human condition. Through Silverstein’s insightful lyrics and Kristofferson’s heartfelt performance, listeners are invited to examine their own lives and consider what it truly means to be a winner. This timeless ballad continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, proving that great music has the power to transcend generations.
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Lyrics
Well the hulk of a man
With a beer in his hand
He looked like a drunk old fool
I knew if I hit him right
Well I could knock him off that stool
But everybody said watch out
Hey that’s Tigerman McCool
He’s had a whole lotta fights
And he’s always come out a winner
But I had myself about 5 too many
So I walked up tall and proud
And I faced his back faced the fact
That he’d never stooped or bowed
I said Tigerman you’re a pussycat
And a hush fell on the crowd
I said let’s you and me go outside
And see who’s the winner
Well he gripped the bar
With one big hairy hand
Then he braced against the wall
He slowly looked up from his beer
My God that man was tall
He said boy I see you’re a scrapper
So just before you fall
I’m gonna tell you a little
About what it means to be a winner
He said you know these bright
White smiling teeth
You know they ain’t my own
Mine rolled away like chicklets
Down a street in San Antone
But I left that person cursin
Nursin seven broken bones
And he only broke three of mine
So that makes me the winner
He said behind this grin
I got a steel pin that
Holds my jaw in place
A trophy of my most successful
Motorcycle race
And every morning when I wake
And touch this scar across my face
It reminds me of all I got
By being a winner
Now this broken back
Was a dying act of ole
Handsome Harry Clay
That sticky Cincinnati night
I stole his wife away
But that woman she gets meaner
And uglier every day
But I got her boy
And that makes me a winner?
I got arthritic elbows boy
I got dislocated knees
From pickin fights with thunderstorms
And charging in the trees
And my nose been broke so often
I might lose it if I sneeze
Son you say you still wanna be a winner?
You gotta speak loud
When you challenge me son
Cause it’s hard for me to hear
With this twisted neck
And these migraine pains
And this big ole cauliflower ear
And if it wasn’t for this glass eye of mine
Why I’d shed a happy tear
To think of all you’ll get
By being a winner
Now as I kick in your family jewels
You’ll see my left leg drags
And this jacket’s kind of padded up
Where my right shoulder sags
There’s a special part of me
I keep in this brown paper bag
And I’ll show it to you
If you wanna see all of the winner
Now you remind me of my younger days
With your knuckles clenching white
But boy I’m gonna sit right here
And sip this beer all night
If there’s something you gotta prove
By winning some dumb fight
Ok I quit you win you’re the winner
So I stumbled from that barroom
Not so tall and not so proud
And behind me I could still hear
The hoots and laughter of the crowd
But my eyes still see
And my nose still works
And my teeth are still in my mouth
And you know I guess
That makes me the winnerhttps://www.letssingit.com/kris-kristofferson-lyrics-the-winner-3ng8cxl
LetsSingIt – The Internet Lyrics Database
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