One of the most prolific musicians, songwriters and performers is someone too few people know. Steve Winwood was born in Birmingham, England to a foundry worker and semi-professional musician. After playing with his Dad and brother Muff at the age of 8, he joined the Spencer Davis Group with his brother at the age of 14. That is not a misprint. Before being associated with a parade of compelling and different hit songs, he backed up musicians touring in England such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and John Lee Hooker. A long list of instruments he plays would include, but not be limited to: keyboards, organ, guitar, bass guitar, violin, mandolin and drums.
He played and sang lead with great groups such as Spencer Davis, Traffic, Blind Faith (with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker) and several others. In fact, Clapton always lamented leaving Blind Faith in his continual search for perfection, but often played with Winwood as recently as a few years ago. Then, in the mid-1970s, Winwood went out on his own. But, it was not until the mid-1980s did a new generation of fans rediscover this marvelous talent. His hit songs are many, such as “Well Alright,” “Higher Love,” “Roll with it,” “Can’t Find My Way Home,” “Valerie,” as well as the songs noted below and others not mentioned.
The following songs are a taste of the breadth of his talent. I will lead with one of my personal favorites and close with another.
Presence of the Lord
Clapton wanted Winwood’s higher voice to sing this ethereal song. Even with the title, it is not an overtly spiritual song, yet is quite profound nonetheless as he sings about finding a better way to live.
I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
I know that I don’t have much to give
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret
Oh, everybody knows the score
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I have finally found a way to live
In the color of the Lord
Gimme Some Lovin’
When I had the good fortune to see him play, he closed the show with this up tempo song, which has a classic bass beat throughout.
Well, my temperature’s rising and my feet hit the floor
Twenty people knocking ’cause they’re wanting some more
Let me in, baby, I don’t know what you’ve got
But you’d better take it easy ’cause this place is hot
So glad we made it, so glad we made it
You got to gimme some lovin’, gimme some lovin’
Gimme some lovin’ every day
Back In the High Life Again
This song was part of his rebirth as a single performer leading to his discovery by a new audience. More of today’s listeners would equate this with Winwood. It also is somewhat prophetic with his new audience.
It used to seem to me
That my life ran on too fast
And I had to take it slowly
Just to make the good parts last
But when you’re born to run
It’s so hard to just slow down
So don’t be surprised to see me
Back in that bright part of town
I’ll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time
Will open up again
Higher Love
Like the previous song, “Higher Love” would resonate as a Winwood song to more people as part of his rebirth. He wants something more from a relationship, be it a higher love together or from a larger entity than both can provide.
Think about it, there must be higher love
Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above
Without it, life is wasted time
Look inside your heart, I’ll look inside mine
Things look so bad everywhere
In this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind and we try to see
Falling behind in what could be
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love, oh
Bring me a higher love
Where’s that higher love, I keep thinking of?
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Yet, let me back up in time and close with two oldies, which are great songs, but different in lyrics and style. The lyrics of “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” remind me of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Minstrel of the Wind.” Both are singing of entertaining many, but reflective that the singer of the songs is an imperfect being just like the rest of us, those he is trying to provide a brief fantasy or respite away from their problems.
Dear Mr. Fantasy play us a tune
Something to make us all happy
Do anything take us out of this gloom
Sing a song, play guitar make it snappy
You are the one who can make us all laugh
But doing that, you break out in tears
Please don’t be sad if it was a straight mind you had
We wouldn’t have known you all these years
The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys
Let me close with the strangest of titles for a song you might ever see. To me, this song seems to be about a record producer or merchandiser who has made a lot of money off young, talented musicians – the “high heeled boys.” It is quite interesting even without the music, but the music adds a pacing that is also unique.
The percentage you’re paying is too high priced
While you’re living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he’s made on your dreams
But today you just read that the man was shot dead
By a gun that didn’t make any noise
But it wasn’t the bullet that laid him to rest was
The low spark of high-heeled boys, high-heeled boys
If I gave you everything that I owned
And asked for nothing in return
Would you do the same for me as I would for you?
Or take me for a ride
And strip me of everything including my pride
But spirit is something that no one destroys
And the sound that I’m hearing is only the sound
Of the low spark of high-heeled boys, heeled boys
Steve Winwood may be the closest thing to a rock and roll prodigy we have ever had. At a minimum, he would be on a short list. Yet, he is not as well-known as his contemporaries. If you know Winwood’s magic, thanks for joining the memory lane. If you are not as familiar with his breadth or much of his work, give him a detailed listen. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Note to Readers: Our friend Clive writes a terrific post on music from our past. His latest post, see below, made me want to revisit this old post I wrote about Steve Winwood from seven years ago. Here is a link:
https://cliveblogs.wordpress.com/2021/09/07/tuesday-tunes-71-eighties-second-encore/
Wonderful wonderful post! It made my morning. The long concert version of Low Spark with Rebop Kwakuba and the late Jim Capaldi is one for the ages. Best. Babsje
Babsje, many thanks for your comment and suggestion. I can see how a live version can go on, as the song seems like it ends, then keeps going. We saw Winwood open for Tom Petty, but were late and only saw three songs. His encore was “Gimme some lovin'” . Keith
Gimme Some Lovin has good energy for an encore. Sorry you only got to see 3, though. I wanted 5o see him summer of 2020 near Boston but you know how live events ended up in 2020.
This is the best of the live versions IMO https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R8M8R835Ck4
Babsje, terrific version. Winwood is so talented and those two talented folks make it live even more. Keith
Many thanks for the link. I am sorry you did not get to see him.
Good trip back, Keith!
Thanks VJ. Good memories.
From his days with Spencer Davis Group Stevie Winwood was a real talent. Something very special. Higher Love with Chaka Khan was fantastic.
Hugs
David, Chaka Khan would fo justice to that song. Keith
I love this post, Keith, and am very grateful for your kind words and link to mine. I agree on Steve’s greatness, and will definitely be including at least one of his songs in an upcoming post: the trouble is deciding which one! Just a thought, but have you considered either embedding some of the songs in your posts, or providing links to them? As you know, I do that and I think it helps stimulate interaction with readers.
Thanks Clive. I have thought of that, but wanted to highlight the lyrics. Maybe I should rethink that. Thanks, Keith
As I said, Keith, it was just a thought. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, and your focus on the lyrics gives a good feel for the songs.
Thanks Clive.
‘The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys’ Is one of my most favourite. Back in ‘that day’; long length songs were fashionable, most were repetitious or downright self-indulgent. This though, a journey through a commentary on the commercial side of music accompanied by some very captivating and downright beautiful music was a work of art.
You are quite right Keith about Winwood, considering he started out at the age of 14. He has happily been recognised in the UK with several awards. So many instruments and such an ethereal voice.
Thanks for the tribute Keith
Thanks Roger. You are so right about some of these longer songs. The Allman Brothers were famous for their ten minute songs and musicality. I don’t know the tally, but for some reason I remember Winwood knows how to play 16 instruments. I am glad he has got accolades for his talent and achievements. Keith
In 2011, he received the Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for Outstanding Song Collection.
Ivor Novello Awards are given ‘Honouring Excellence in Music Writing’.
So quite prestigious in the world of popular music.
Wow Thanks for sharing his accolades.
Thanks for the wonderful afternoon concert dear Keith!💖
Cindy, you are more than welcome. Are you fan? Keith
I so am … love all his songs and contribution for sure. The lyrics were great too! ❤️
Cindy, I thought you might be. When we arrived late at the combined concert with Tom Petty, we were so chagrined to see him sing only three songs. Keith