Step into the gritty reality of Winger's evolving sound with "Who's The One."
The Song
"Who's The One" is an acoustic ballad from Winger's third studio album, Pull, released on May 18, 1993. Written by Kip Winger and Reb Beach, the song showcases a more mature and socio-politically conscious side of the band, a significant departure from their earlier glam metal anthems. The lyrics delve into themes of lost faith in religion and government, touching on the darkness of the time, with lines like "When all the colors begin to fade" and "What will be your savior now / Dragon or machine."
The song's dark and weighty lyrics are believed to be influenced by the U.S. involvement in Somalia, a horrific event occurring around 1993. Kip Winger's emotional vocals blend seamlessly with the acoustic guitars, creating a powerful and beautiful melody. The percussion by Rod Morgenstein further enhances the song's atmospheric quality.
The Artist
Winger is an American rock band formed in 1987, initiated by former Alice Cooper band members Kip Winger (vocals, bass) and Reb Beach (guitars). The original lineup also included Paul Taylor (keyboards and rhythm guitar) and former Dixie Dregs drummer Rod Morgenstein. The band quickly gained recognition in the late 1980s with their debut self-titled album in 1988, followed by In the Heart of the Young in 1990, both achieving platinum status.
By 1993, the musical landscape had dramatically shifted with the rise of grunge, and Winger's sound also evolved. For the Pull album, the band operated as a trio following Paul Taylor's departure. Kip Winger, a classically trained musician and ballet dancer, took on co-production duties with Mike Shipley for Pull, leading to a harder and more aggressive sound with progressive metal influences.
Chart Performance
While Winger's earlier singles like "Seventeen" and "Headed for a Heartbreak" saw significant chart success, reaching No. 26 and No. 19 on Billboard's single chart respectively, and "Miles Away" peaking at #12 on the Billboard charts, "Who's The One" did not achieve similar mainstream chart success.
The album Pull itself peaked at #83 on Billboard's Album chart, which was not as successful as their first two albums. However, the lead single from Pull, "Down Incognito," reached #15 on the Mainstream Rock Billboard chart. "Who's The One" was released as a promo single in 1993.
Cultural Impact
"Who's The One" and the Pull album marked a significant turning point for Winger, showcasing a "darker and edgier" sound and lyrical approach compared to their initial glam metal image. This shift, unfortunately, coincided with the widespread decline of glam metal's popularity due to the grunge explosion, leading to the band being unfairly targeted and mocked in popular culture, most notably on Beavis and Butt-Head.
Despite the commercial challenges of the era, "Who's The One" is regarded by some fans as an atmospheric and smoothly produced track, highlighting the band's strong musicianship beyond their "cheesy" early hits. The song's socio-political themes were a bold statement, reflecting the band's attempt to evolve with the changing times and produce more meaningful material.
Fun Facts
- Kip Winger co-produced the album Pull with Mike Shipley, who had previously worked with Def Leppard on their 1992 album, Adrenalize.
- The lyrics of "Who's The One" are deeply reflective and are said to explore a crisis of faith, with a focus on a loss of belief in both religion and government.
- The video for "Who's The One" was included on the 1993 VHS release The Making of Pull, which featured home movie footage of the band recording the album.
- Winger recorded Pull as a trio with Kip Winger, Reb Beach, and Rod Morgenstein, as guitarist/keyboardist Paul Taylor had left the band after the In the Heart of the Young tour in 1992.
- Kip Winger is not only a rock musician but also a renowned classical composer, with his work C.F. Kip Winger: Conversations with Nijinsky topping the Traditional Classical Chart on Billboard and receiving a Grammy nomination.