Monday, June 30, 2025

If I Lose - The Stanley Brothers & the Clinch Mountain Boys

If I Lose - The Stanley Brothers
2:08
single, 1961
Written by Ralph Stanley

Few songs look upon the gambling life with rosy optimism, but this droll bluegrass proves it can be done.  In it, the narrator begs his lady love to come back to him — not because he can't live without her, but because she has the deep pockets to bankroll his losses.  "If I lose a hundred dollars while I'm trying to win a dime / My baby she's got money all the time," he boasts.  He doesn't look at other girls; they don't have enough dough.  He's gambled all over town and lost every time, but "now that you're back dear, let's take another round."  Over some virtuoso banjo picking and a bright fiddle, and accompanied by some down home harmonies, Stanley belts out the lines with his nasal yelp.

No comments:

Post a Comment

No Tomorrow - Loudon Wainwright III

No Tomorrow - Loudon Wainwright III  3:01 Older Than My Old Man Now , 2012 Written by Loudon Wainwright The ultimate carpe diem, live for t...