Lose To Win

Album: The Side Effects of You (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This mid tempo R&B song was released as the first single from Fantasia's The Side Effects of You album. "Have you ever needed someone so bad? But he ain't willing to make it last. Sometimes you gotta lose to win again," she croons about moving on. The lyrics may reference Fantasia's split from the father of her son, Antwaun Cook.
  • The song samples the Commodores' 1985 single, "Nightshift." Fantasia told CBS Local that when she first heard the tune, she "was blown away with the feel." "When I heard the track, I was done," she continued. "When I heard the lyrics of the song, it wasn't just about a relationship it was about my whole career. There have been ups and downs."
  • This song was inspired by the overwhelming public ridicule arising from Fantasia's relationship with a married man that drove her to attempt suicide in 2010. The singer penned the tune with composer Andrea Martin. "We sat down and put our feelings into the song," Fantasia told The Drop.FM. "It was the last song we recorded, so it was so special. It was special to her. We both have been through some things."

    Fantasia added that she turned her negative experiences into a positive outlook on life. "I've lost a lot, but I'm winning now. When I say winning, I am not talking about money, cars or material things. I am finally at peace," she said. "'Lose to Win' had to be my first single because it is my testimony. I want to acknowledge the small things in life that we forget. I am not just talking about relationships. We lose jobs, homes, look at the people in Boston [the interview was done just after the Boston Marathon's terrorist bombings]."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.