Former Skid Row singer Erik Grönwall recently opened up about the lyrical meaning behind his solo track “Who’s The Winner.” The song reflects on how some situations end without a clear winner and how ego can drive people apart in any relationship.
“[Sometimes] no one [is the winner]. That’s basically what I’m saying, what I wanna say with that song. Sometimes nobody wins. And it could be in any relationship, where you have an argument with someone, and your ego takes control of you,” he said. “And you walk out of that argument or relationship and you go, ‘No one won. No one won.’ And you sit there alone with your pride. And was it worth it? That’s pretty much what I’m asking.”
Grönwall then made clear that the song carries a deeply personal meaning tied directly to his departure from the band.
“For me, it’s personally about my departure from Skid Row, where I just felt like I had to do what I did. I had to make that decision. One part of me knows it was the right decision, but another part of me is, like, ‘Wow, we had a really great thing,’ and it’s a shame it had to come to an end. So, yeah, that’s my way of processing that,” he continued.
“Who’s The Winner” appears on Grönwall’s latest solo album, Bad Bones, which was released on May 22.
Grönwall’s candid reflection comes roughly two years after his exit from Skid Row. The split left both sides without a public explanation and the band without a permanent frontman. It marked the end of a chapter that had seen Grönwall bring renewed energy to one of hard rock’s most storied lineups.
Grönwall, 38, had previously made headlines for his public battle with a serious health condition while still a member of the band. His resilience through that period earned him widespread admiration from the rock community and deepened his bond with Skid Row’s fanbase. His exit from the group, which occurred around 2024, was never officially explained by either party, leaving fans to speculate about what led to the parting of ways.
Since his departure, Skid Row has continued its search for a new lead singer. The process is still ongoing, stretching well beyond what many expected — underscoring just how significant a role Grönwall played during his time with the group.
With Bad Bones now out, Grönwall appears to be channeling the experience into his most personal work yet. Songs like “Who’s The Winner” offer a window into his state of mind, processing a complicated chapter not through interviews alone, but through the music itself.
Source: Vinylestimes Classic Rock Radio
