Playing to Win
''Playing to Win'' may refer to works in music, literature, film, and television.Music
The Outlaws' Playin' to Win
Playin' to Win is the fourth studio album by the American southern rock band the Outlaws, released in October 1978 by Arista Records.[1] The Florida-based group, formed in Tampa in 1973, was known for its dual-lead guitar work and harmonies, with founding member Hughie Thomasson contributing prominently on guitar and vocals.[2] This album marked a shift toward a more polished sound, produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange in his early career before his work with major acts like AC/DC and Def Leppard.[3] Recorded at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, it followed the band's successful live double album Bring It Back Alive (1978) and aimed to broaden their appeal with tighter songwriting and commercial production.[4] The album features nine tracks, blending southern rock riffs with pop sensibilities. Key songs include "Take It Any Way You Want It," co-written by Billy Jones and Hughie Thomasson, which opens with energetic guitar interplay; "Cry Some More," showcasing the band's vocal harmonies; and "You Are the Show," a Thomasson-penned track highlighting themes of perseverance and performance.[3] Other notable cuts are "A Real Good Feelin'," emphasizing uplifting rock energy, and "Dirty City," a gritty closer addressing urban struggles. The production emphasized melody and accessibility, reflecting Lange's influence in making the sound "big, beefy, and highly commercial."[5] Commercially, Playin' to Win peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard 200 chart in late 1978.[6] Despite not matching the chart success of earlier releases like the self-titled debut, the album solidified the Outlaws' presence in the southern rock scene during the late 1970s.Rick Nelson's Playing to Win
Playing to Win is the twenty-third and final studio album of new material by American singer-songwriter Rick Nelson, released in January 1981 by Capitol Records.[7] The album marked a shift toward country rock, blending Nelson's rockabilly heritage with contemporary Nashville influences through covers and original songs performed with session musicians.[8] Produced by Jack Nitzsche, the record was tracked at Westlake Audio in Hollywood, California; Warner Bros. Studios in North Hollywood, California; and Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California.[9] It features ten tracks, including a cover of John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night," a reworking of Nelson's 1958 hit "Believe What You Say," and originals like "Little Miss American Dream" and "The Loser Babe Is You."[7] The lead single, "Almost Saturday Night," was released to country radio.[10] Commercially, Playing to Win entered the Billboard 200 at number 182 in February 1981, rising to a peak of number 153 during its six-week run.[11] In Nelson's career, the album represented a late effort to reconnect with country audiences, echoing his early rockabilly success with hits like "Hello Mary Lou" while showcasing his maturing vocals amid a challenging period of limited chart impact.[8] Released four years before Nelson's death in a plane crash on December 31, 1985, it stands as his last full-length studio release during his lifetime.[12]Little River Band's Playing to Win
Playing to Win is the eighth studio album by the Australian rock band Little River Band, released on January 18, 1985, by Capitol Records.[13] This release marked a continued effort by the group to adapt their sound for the American market, incorporating more polished pop elements and synthesizer-driven arrangements following their earlier international successes, such as the 1978 hit "Reminiscing."[14] The album was remastered and reissued in 2010 and again in 2022 by Universal Music Group. The album was produced by Spencer Proffer, known for his work with hard rock acts, in collaboration with the band, and recorded primarily in the United States.[15] It featured John Farnham on lead vocals for the second time, following his debut with the group on the 1983 album The Net; core members included Graeham Goble on guitar and vocals, Wayne Nelson on bass and vocals, Stephen Housden on guitar, Steve Prestwich on drums, and David Hirschfelder on keyboards.[16] This configuration reflected the band's evolving lineup amid internal changes—Derek Pellicci had departed in 1984 and was replaced by Prestwich—emphasizing Farnham's prominent vocal style to appeal to U.S. audiences. The album consists of 10 original tracks, blending soft rock harmonies with AOR influences:- "Playing to Win" – 2:57
- "Reappear" – 4:04
- "Blind Eyes" – 5:01
- "Through Her Eyes" – 5:15
- "When Cathedrals Were White" – 4:24
- "Relentless" – 5:27
- "Piece of the Dream" – 4:10
- "Don't Blame Me" – 3:28
- "One Shot in the Dark" – 3:34
- "Count Me In" – 3:46[17]