R&B song with opening lyrics 'Winners and losers'

**Jeanne** · December 22nd, 2002, 03:12 PM

Hi,

I am trying to find the title and artist of an R&B song that opens with the lyrics 'Winners and losers...'

Heard this song quite frequently on a Classic R&B station out of Oakland, CA many years ago (station long gone, song still lingers--you know how that goes...).

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Jeanne

**markydefad** · December 22nd, 2002, 03:30 PM

There was a song titled "Winners & Losers" by Collage on Solar Records. It's in the slow jam vein.

**NickNack** · December 22nd, 2002, 05:15 PM

Hi Jeanne,

Classic R&B, eh? You might be thinking of one of my favorites by The Main Ingredient, Rolling Down a Mountain Side. Here's the lyrics ---might help you remember.

VERSE 1:

LOSERS AND WINNERS
EVERYONE MUST PLAY FAIR
ALL YOU BEGINNERS KNOW
THAT YOU'VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE

SO --- WHETHER YOU'RE SAINTS OR SINNERS
SMILE --- SMILE AND SHARE
SUN --- SUNLIGHT AS WELL AS SHADOW
WHILE YOU LEARN
THAT EVERYONE CARES
EVERYONE OUT THERE
HAS A CROSS TO BARE
AND WILL NEVER DARE TO LIVE ALONE

CHORUS:

'CAUSE WE'RE NOT STONES
ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE
WE ALL COUNT
AND WE'VE GOT STRENGTH AND WE GOT PRIDE
'CAUSE GOD IS ON OUR SIDE

VERSE 2:

WINNERS AND LOSERS
FIGHT WHEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT
YOU'LL GET SOME BRUISES BUT
SOME FOOL MIGHT SEE THE LIGHT

SO --- SO WHEN THE TALK CONFUSES
YOU --- KEEP IT (?BRIGHT?; ?LIGHT? - not sure)
SMILE --- SMILE AND YOU'LL MAKE THEM LISTEN
WHILE YOU TEACH
THAT WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT
BIRDS WILL STAY IN FLIGHT
DAY WILL FOLLOW NIGHT
KEEP THE TRUTH IN SIGHT, BUT NOT ALONE

(Repeat CHORUS)

The song is about 4:30, the first half or more being vocal, the second half being a light jazz/R&B feel, flute player lead with background singers repeating "rolling down a mountainside" until the end while Cuba Gooding ad libs the lead vocals.

The song is off the album of the same title on RCA, 1975.

Good luck. :)

**Jeanne** · December 22nd, 2002, 10:51 PM

Thanks so much for your help on this...

Markydefad - thought I knew all the artists on the Solar label (shout out to the talented Leon Sylvers; btw, shouldn't Leon and family have been as big as the Jackson's?!), but I've not heard of Collage - need to check them out;

Nicky - confirmed. That's definitely the song! Best part - I have The Main Ingredient's Golden Classics on vinyl (had to unearth it, but possess it nonetheless). Appreciate the level of detail provided (nothing short of dazzling...)!

Happy Holidays,

Jeanne

**K-Bee** · December 23rd, 2002, 03:53 PM

Just to let you know about Collage. 8)

"Winners & Losers" was probably an inferior track compared to the classic "Romeo Where's Juliet", also from 1985.

two years earlier they made a song called "get in touch with me" produced by Nicolas Caldwell who's a member of the Whispers. :)

**midas** · December 31st, 2002, 10:53 PM

didnt they also do roumors??

**K-Bee** · January 1st, 2003, 08:53 AM

Roumors, Midas :-?

The only one I know was from Timex Social Club in '86.

**Jeanne** · January 1st, 2003, 05:29 PM

Hi K-Bee,

Thanks for the information on Collage. If their vintage was ca. mid-80's, no wonder I'm not well aware of them...long live 70s (and early 80s!) soul, disco, funk, punk, and rock!

Best wishes for a great year ahead ~

Jeanne
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