We're a Winner
Encyclopedia
"We're a Winner" is a 1967 single
recorded by The Impressions
for the ABC-Paramount label. Written and produced by Impressions lead singer Curtis Mayfield
, the song is notable as one of the most prominent popular recordings dealing with the subject of black pride
. The single peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart
, and was the number-one single on the Billboard R&B Chart during the week of March 1, 1968.
The concept for "We're a Winner" came to Curtis Mayfield one night in a dream; the musician quickly woke himself and ran with his inspiration. The resulting song was an uplifting composition whose lyrics encouraged the listener that the time for self-pity is over, and that one should acknowledge his or her worth, even in the face of opposition. Intended as an inspirational song for the group's primarily African-American audiences, Mayfield urges his audience to "Keep on pushin'/like your leaders tell you to" - the "leaders" being figures involved in the American Civil Rights Movement such as Martin Luther King, Jr.
, Stokely Carmichael
, and others. To accentuate the song's uplifting feel, "We're a Winner" was recorded with a live audience in the RCA Victor and Universal studios in the Impressions' homebase of Chicago, Illinois.
Although the Impressions had previously released inspiration singles such as "People Get Ready
", "Keep on Pushing
", and "Amen", those songs were more general and often more directly rooted in gospel music
than "We're a Winner". Only a few other previous singles by other mainstream popular artists - most notably Sam Cooke
's posthumous release "A Change is Gonna Come
" - had attempted to directly address racial politics in America.
"We're a Winner", included on a 1968 Impressions LP of the same name
, became a virtual anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, and its success resulted not only in similar follow-ups from the Impressions (among them "Choice of Colors" and "This is My Country"), but also marked the beginning of a trend towards increasing social consciousness in soul music
. During and after "We're a Winner's" chart run in 1968, several other acts, including James Brown
("Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud
") and Sly & the Family Stone
("Everyday People") were releasing successful hits which directly addressed racial issues and black pride.
The phrase "We're a Winner" was later used as the motto
of Mayfield's record label
Curtom Records
.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
recorded by The Impressions
The Impressions (American band)
The Impressions are an American music group from Chicago, originally formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B....
for the ABC-Paramount label. Written and produced by Impressions lead singer Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
, the song is notable as one of the most prominent popular recordings dealing with the subject of black pride
Black pride
Black pride is a slogan indicating pride in being black. Related movements include black nationalism and Afrocentrism.The slogan has been used in the United States by African Americans to celebrate heritage and personal pride. The black pride movement is closely linked with the developments of the...
. The single peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and was the number-one single on the Billboard R&B Chart during the week of March 1, 1968.
The concept for "We're a Winner" came to Curtis Mayfield one night in a dream; the musician quickly woke himself and ran with his inspiration. The resulting song was an uplifting composition whose lyrics encouraged the listener that the time for self-pity is over, and that one should acknowledge his or her worth, even in the face of opposition. Intended as an inspirational song for the group's primarily African-American audiences, Mayfield urges his audience to "Keep on pushin'/like your leaders tell you to" - the "leaders" being figures involved in the American Civil Rights Movement such as Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
, Stokely Carmichael
Stokely Carmichael
Kwame Ture , also known as Stokely Carmichael, was a Trinidadian-American black activist active in the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. He rose to prominence first as a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and later as the "Honorary Prime Minister" of the Black Panther Party...
, and others. To accentuate the song's uplifting feel, "We're a Winner" was recorded with a live audience in the RCA Victor and Universal studios in the Impressions' homebase of Chicago, Illinois.
Although the Impressions had previously released inspiration singles such as "People Get Ready
People Get Ready (song)
"People Get Ready" was a 1965 single by The Impressions, and the title track from the album of the same name. The single is today the group's best-known hit, reaching number-three on the Billboard R&B Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart...
", "Keep on Pushing
Keep on Pushing
Keep on Pushing is an album and song by the American soul music group The Impressions. It was the biggest album of their career, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Pop Album chart...
", and "Amen", those songs were more general and often more directly rooted in gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
than "We're a Winner". Only a few other previous singles by other mainstream popular artists - most notably Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
's posthumous release "A Change is Gonna Come
A Change Is Gonna Come (song)
"A Change Is Gonna Come" is a 1964 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, written and first recorded in 1963 and released under the RCA Victor label shortly after his death in late 1964. Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, the song came to exemplify the...
" - had attempted to directly address racial politics in America.
"We're a Winner", included on a 1968 Impressions LP of the same name
We're a Winner (album)
We're a Winner is an album by the American soul music group The Impressions. The album was their last one released before they changed to the Curtom Records label....
, became a virtual anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, and its success resulted not only in similar follow-ups from the Impressions (among them "Choice of Colors" and "This is My Country"), but also marked the beginning of a trend towards increasing social consciousness in soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
. During and after "We're a Winner's" chart run in 1968, several other acts, including James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
("Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud
Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud
"Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a funk song written and recorded by James Brown in 1968. It is notable both as one of Brown's signature songs and as one of the most popular Black Power anthems of the 1960s. The song was released as a two-part single which held the number-one spot on the...
") and Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
("Everyday People") were releasing successful hits which directly addressed racial issues and black pride.
The phrase "We're a Winner" was later used as the motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of Mayfield's record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Curtom Records
Curtom Records
Curtom Records was a record label started by Curtis Mayfield of The Impressions along with Impressions associate Eddie Thomas in 1968 although the name was used as early as 1963. The labels name was a combination of Mayfields first name and Thomas' surname...
.
Personnel
- Lead vocals by Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
- Background vocals by Sam GoodenSam GoodenSam Gooden is an African-American soul singer. He is best known for being an original member of the successful group The Impressions from its beginnings as The Roosters in the 1950s. Sam and the group are still recording and performing...
and Fred CashFred CashFred Cash is an African-American soul singer. He is best known for being a member of the successful group The Impressions, a group in which he replaced Jerry Butler in 1960. Cash was an original member of the Roosters , the group that later evolved into The Impressions. After leaving the group for... - Guitar by Phil UpchurchPhil UpchurchPhil Upchurch is an American jazz and R&B guitarist and bassist.Upchurch started his career working with The Kool Gents, The Dells, and The Spaniels before going on to work with Curtis Mayfield, Otis Rush and Jimmy Reed. He then returned to Chicago to play and record with Woody Herman, Stan Getz,...
- Bass guitar by Lenny Brown
- Drums by Billy Griffin
- Produced, arranged, and conducted by Johnny Pate