''Sometimes You Win'' is a studio album by the American band Dr. Hook, released in 1979. It was produced by

Ron Haffkine Ron Haffkine (December 13, 1938 – October 1, 2023) was an American record producer, composer and music manager most recognized for his work as a producer and manager of Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, an American rock band, producing hit single ...

. The album contains three of the band's most commercially successful singles: " When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (also included on their previous album ''Pleasure and Pain''), "

Better Love Next Time "Better Love Next Time" is a song by Dr. Hook, released as a single in the fall of 1979. It was the first of three singles from their LP '' Sometimes You Win''. Background The lyrics involve the singer comforting and encouraging a grieving and ...

" and " Sexy Eyes."

Critical reception

The Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe,'' also known locally as ''the Globe'', is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Boston Globe'' is the oldest and largest daily new ...

'' noted that the "seven-piece aggregation has sweetened its sound with strings and delves into disco with a selection of strong material that should appeal to dancers and listeners alike."

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

deemed the album "something close to a soft rock-disco masterpiece."

Track listing

" (Johnny Slate, Larry Keith, Steve Pippin) – 2:59 #"In Over My Head" (Dan Tyler,

Eddie Rabbitt Edward Thomas Rabbitt (November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998) was an American country music singer and songwriter. His career began as a songwriter in the late 1960s, springboarding to a recording career after composing hits such as " Kentucky Rain ...

, Even Stevens) – 3:40 #" Sexy Eyes" (Bob Mather,

Chris Waters Christopher Waters Dunn, known professionally as Chris Waters, is an American singer and songwriter, record producer, and culinary writer. He is the brother of country singer Holly Dunn. Dunn has written and produced many of his sister's singl ...

Keith Stegall Robert Keith Stegall (born November 1, 1955) is an American country music recording artist and record producer. Active since 1980, Stegall has recorded two major-label studio albums: 1985's ''Keith Stegall'' and 1996's ''Passages'', although he ...

) – 3:30 #"Oh! Jesse" (Sam Weedman) – 2:54 #"Years From Now" (Charles Cochran, Roger Cook) – 3:14 #"I Don't Feel Much Like Smilin'" (

Dennis Locorriere Dennis Michael Locorriere (born June 13, 1949) is the American lead vocalist and guitarist of the country rock group Dr. Hook (formerly Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show).Bonitto, Brian (2014)Hooking up with Dennis Locorriere, ''Jamaica Observer'', ...

, Ray Sawyer) - 2:41 #" When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (Even Stevens) - 3:00 #"What Do You Want?" (Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens) – 3:08 #"Love Monster" (Sam Weedman) – 3:10 #"Mountain Mary" (Ray Sawyer,

Shel Silverstein Sheldon Allan Silverstein (; September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999) was an American writer, cartoonist, songwriter, and musician. Born and raised in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended university before being drafted into ...

) – 2:37 #"Help Me Mama" (Ray Sawyer, Shel Silverstein) – 4:02

Personnel

;Dr. Hook * Ray Sawyer - Guitar, Vocals * Dennis Locorriere - Guitar, Vocals * Billy Francis - Keyboards, Vocals * John Wolters - Drums, Vocals * Rik Elswit - Guitar, Vocals * Jance Garfat - Bass * Bob "Willard" Henke - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals ;Additional musicians *

Barry Beckett Barry Edward Beckett (February 4, 1943 – June 10, 2009) was an American keyboardist, session musician, record producer, and studio founder. He is best known for his work with David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, and Roger Hawkins, his bandmates in the ...

, Billy Puett,

David Hood David Hood (born September 21, 1943) is an American musician, hailing from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, He is known for playing the bass guitar and trombone, and is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Early life and education Hood was b ...

, Jimmy Johnson, Jon Goin,

Larry Byrom Larry Clifton Byrom (born December 27, 1948 in Huntsville, Alabama) is an American guitarist. Byrom performed in a band called the Precious Few in the 1960s, then joined T.I.M.E.; in 1970, he joined Steppenwolf. He left Steppenwolf in 1972 and ...

Mickey Buckins Mickey Buckins is a musician, songwriter and record producer. As a songwriter he has written or co-written hits for Big Ben Atkins, Clarence Carter, Billy Crash Craddock, Terri Gibbs, The Osmonds, and Spencer Wiggins. Background During the 1960s ...

, Randy McCormick, Rod Smarr, Roger Hawkins,

Shane Keister Shane Keister is an American musician. He is known for his work as a studio musician, writer, arranger and producer. He plays synthesizer, piano, Hammond B3, Synclavier, Fairlight CMI, Fender Rhodes, and others. History Keister was born in Huntin ...

*Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver, Sheri Kramer, The Cherry Sisters - backing vocals *The Nashville Horns - horns *The Shelly Kurland Strings - strings

Production

* Pat Holt - Engineer * James Cotton - Engineer *Michael Kanarek - front cover design and illustration

Charts

References

{{Authority control Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show albums 1979 albums Capitol Records albums Albums produced by Ron Haffkine Albums recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio