Walking Away a Winner
Kathy Mattea · 1994
34 min · 10 tracks · country music
A blend of heartfelt storytelling and rich melodies that captures the spirit of '90s country music with a touch of folk influence.
Top tracks — play these first
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Walking Away a Winner — This title track encapsulates the album's theme of resilience and optimism, featuring an upbeat melody that complements its empowering lyrics about personal strength.
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The Cape — A poignant story song that illustrates the power of dreams and courage, showcasing Mattea's capacity for emotive storytelling through vivid imagery.
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Clown in Your Rodeo — This track stands out for its clever wordplay and relatable narrative about love and relationships, highlighting Mattea’s skillful songwriting and performance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling within a traditional country framework but lacks standout moments that elevate it further.
What we noticed
- The first track sets a mid-tempo pace that is maintained through the next three songs, before shifting to slower ballads in tracks five and six.
- Several tracks feature prominent fiddle and steel guitar, which are characteristic of traditional country music instrumentation.
- The lyrics across the album often employ storytelling techniques, with vivid imagery that reflects personal and relatable themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt storytelling in every track
- steady mid-tempo for easy listening
- for reflective afternoons
- uplifting themes of resilience
- engaging narratives that resonate
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic music
- seek experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1994, Walking Away a Winner was Kathy Mattea's sixth studio album, following her success with 1993's Good News. By this time, Mattea had established herself as a leading figure in country music, known for her ability to blend traditional sounds with contemporary themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mary Chapin Carpenter· Emmylou Harris· Nanci Griffith
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Walking Away a Winner 3:29
- 2 The Streets of Your Town 3:43
- 3 Maybe She's Human 3:01
- 4 Clown in Your Rodeo 3:27
- 5 Who Turned Out the Light 3:37
- 6 Nobody's Gonna Rain on Our Parade 3:44
- 7 Another Man 3:17
- 8 The Cape 2:40
- 9 Grand Canyon 4:22
- 10 Who's Gonna Know 3:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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