Songfacts®:

• "Fought & Lost" is an anthem of unwavering resilience. Sam Ryder draws inspiration for this impactful ballad from the universal truth that everyone experiences defeat at some point in life. The true champions are those who refuse to surrender, choosing instead to persevere and ultimately emerge victorious from their setbacks. Ryder's powerful song captures the indomitable spirit of those who embrace resilience and never give up on their dreams.
  
  "This is a song for the hope seekers and the faith keepers," said Ryder. "The ones who foster the dream and keep its fire burning regardless of the knock backs, the almosts, the falls and the failures."
  
  "This is a song for the down but never out's, not to be sung cold eyed, muttered and muted, but to be belted towards the heavens as if wrenched from the spirit itself," he continued. "For defeat looms in that glimmer of a moment right before life's magic is spun."
• So, we will see you here
  Same time, same place, next year
  And you may win this battle but you'll never win the war
  Better to have fought and lost than never fought at all
  
  In the chorus, Sam Ryder confronts an adversary who may currently hold the upper hand. However, he refuses to surrender, vowing to return again and again if necessary until he emerges triumphant.
  
  In the verses, Ryder sarcastically offers congratulations to his competitor while eagerly anticipating his own imminent success, envisioning himself in their position. He revels in the thought of a future where he reigns supreme over his rival.
• The bridge provides a glimpse into Ryder's victorious vision of the future where the tables have turned and he stands tall while his opponent's world crumbles. As tears fall and his rival experiences a crashing defeat, Ryder hopes the sight of him serves as a reminder of the feeling of loss they once inflicted upon him. The shared experience of seeing the world from both sides reinforces his anticipation of that gratifying moment.
• Ryder teamed up with Queen guitarist Brian May for the song. Ryder's connection with Queen dates back to the memorial concert for the late Taylor Hawkins at Wembley Stadium on September 3, 2022. Following a personal invitation from the band members, he performed Queen's "Somebody To Love" with Brian May and his bandmates at the event. Later, during the interval at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Ryder was joined by Queen's Roger Taylor on drums for a rendition of his single "Mountain."
• "Fought & Lost" featured in the third season, 11th episode of Ted Lasso, titled "Mom City," which first aired on May 24, 2023. The song perfectly complements the narrative - the show is about the power of optimism and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
• Sam Ryder co-wrote "Fought & Lost" with the song's producers, Jamie Hartman and Tom Howe.
  
  Jamie Hartman's other credits include Rag'n'Bone Man's "Human," Calvin Harris' "Giant," and Lewis Capaldi's "Hold Me While You Wait."
  
  British composer Tom Howe co-wrote the Ted Lasso Theme with the tune's singer, Marcus Mumford.
• After Ryder missed out on an Emmy Award for "Fought and Lost," he wrote in an Instagram post that success was "relative" and "it can become all too easy to measure it against our desires rather than past experiences."