When Glenn Shorrock of The Little River Band was asked if they ever hesitated to release 1979’s “Lonesome Loser” because of the negative-sounding title, his answer was: “Briefly, but it’s such a strong song and it’s about redemption.”

True enough! The song is about a man who is unlucky in love, who keeps trying and failing to win over his “queen of hearts.”

Glenn, as the lead singer, offers some sound advice on how to finally win the “game of love” with a lot of self reflection and a change of strategy.

“Lonesome Loser” is lyrically clever, with all sorts of gambling wordplay, and an acapella opening that really catches the ear.

During the summer of ’79, the song (from the album. “First Under the Wire”) was all over the airwaves…reaching #6 in the US and #3 in Canada. Strangely, it only reached #19 in The Little River Band’s native Australia.

But still, in North America, “Lonesome Loser” was a winner…and a Great Song of 1979!