Here's the thing. Winwood was 16 or 17 yrs. old when he wrote this.
In those days, street slang for heroin was 'boy' and for cocaine was 'girl'.
High heel boy refers to a mixture of heroin and coke, commonly called a speedball.
The 'low spark' is a description of the physical feeling brought on by injecting the speedball.
The man in the suit is the dealer, making profits on the dreams of his customers.
The gun that didn't make any noise is simply a hypodermic syringe.
This is one of the most truly savage songs in history, way deeper than nearly anything else from its era.
How Stevie knew this stuff at such a young age is an interesting question at such a young age is a good question
Awesome interpretation. I'm 42, been hearing this song (and loving it) my whole life and never really knew what he meant. You just made this song much more enjoyable for me. Thanks!
Awesome interpretation. I'm 42, been hearing this song (and loving it) my whole life and never really knew what he meant. You just made this song much more enjoyable for me. Thanks!
that is great, I am 55 years old. I have heard this song a long time. Never knew that. Thanks bro, I appreciate it. Was listening to it yesterday on Sirrius, classic vinyl, and I thought, what the hell does that mean....and thanks to the power of the internet...here I am. Thanks bro
that is great, I am 55 years old. I have heard this song a long time. Never knew that. Thanks bro, I appreciate it. Was listening to it yesterday on Sirrius, classic vinyl, and I thought, what the hell does that mean....and thanks to the power of the internet...here I am. Thanks bro
well done sleepnot. I see all the lyrics fitting into this context...even the shortened title "Low Spark" heroin lowers heart rhythm and breathing - Spark being the speed. All great songs have an ambiguous nature to them and it had undertones of dealing with music exec's as well as O.D.'s. Both can strip you of everything including your pride and leave you with nothing in return. You've added much, thanks.
well done sleepnot. I see all the lyrics fitting into this context...even the shortened title "Low Spark" heroin lowers heart rhythm and breathing - Spark being the speed. All great songs have an ambiguous nature to them and it had undertones of dealing with music exec's as well as O.D.'s. Both can strip you of everything including your pride and leave you with nothing in return. You've added much, thanks.
@sleepnot Good interpretation, were it not for the fact that the lyrics were written by Jim Capaldi for Winwood to sing...
@sleepnot Good interpretation, were it not for the fact that the lyrics were written by Jim Capaldi for Winwood to sing...
And, like most songs people think do, it has nothing to do with drugs:
And, like most songs people think do, it has nothing to do with drugs:
"Pollard and I would sit around writing lyrics all day, talking about Bob Dylan and the Band, thinking up ridiculous plots for the movie. Before I left Morocco, Pollard wrote in my book 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.' For me, it summed him up. He had this tremendous rebel attitude. He walked around in his cowboy boots, his leather jacket. At the time he was a heavy little dude. It seemed to sum up all the people of that generation who were just rebels. The 'Low Spark,' for me, was the spirit, high-spirited. You know, standing on a street corner. The low rider. The 'Low Spark' meaning that strong undercurrent at the street level".
Here's the thing. Winwood was 16 or 17 yrs. old when he wrote this. In those days, street slang for heroin was 'boy' and for cocaine was 'girl'. High heel boy refers to a mixture of heroin and coke, commonly called a speedball. The 'low spark' is a description of the physical feeling brought on by injecting the speedball.
The man in the suit is the dealer, making profits on the dreams of his customers.
The gun that didn't make any noise is simply a hypodermic syringe.
This is one of the most truly savage songs in history, way deeper than nearly anything else from its era.
How Stevie knew this stuff at such a young age is an interesting question at such a young age is a good question
Awesome interpretation. I'm 42, been hearing this song (and loving it) my whole life and never really knew what he meant. You just made this song much more enjoyable for me. Thanks!
Awesome interpretation. I'm 42, been hearing this song (and loving it) my whole life and never really knew what he meant. You just made this song much more enjoyable for me. Thanks!
that is great, I am 55 years old. I have heard this song a long time. Never knew that. Thanks bro, I appreciate it. Was listening to it yesterday on Sirrius, classic vinyl, and I thought, what the hell does that mean....and thanks to the power of the internet...here I am. Thanks bro
that is great, I am 55 years old. I have heard this song a long time. Never knew that. Thanks bro, I appreciate it. Was listening to it yesterday on Sirrius, classic vinyl, and I thought, what the hell does that mean....and thanks to the power of the internet...here I am. Thanks bro
well done sleepnot. I see all the lyrics fitting into this context...even the shortened title "Low Spark" heroin lowers heart rhythm and breathing - Spark being the speed. All great songs have an ambiguous nature to them and it had undertones of dealing with music exec's as well as O.D.'s. Both can strip you of everything including your pride and leave you with nothing in return. You've added much, thanks.
well done sleepnot. I see all the lyrics fitting into this context...even the shortened title "Low Spark" heroin lowers heart rhythm and breathing - Spark being the speed. All great songs have an ambiguous nature to them and it had undertones of dealing with music exec's as well as O.D.'s. Both can strip you of everything including your pride and leave you with nothing in return. You've added much, thanks.
@sleepnot, this album was released when Stevie Winwood was 23 years old. So that gives him a little bit more time to be wise to the ways of the world.
@sleepnot, this album was released when Stevie Winwood was 23 years old. So that gives him a little bit more time to be wise to the ways of the world.
I like your interpretation.
I like your interpretation.
@sleepnot Good interpretation, were it not for the fact that the lyrics were written by Jim Capaldi for Winwood to sing...
@sleepnot Good interpretation, were it not for the fact that the lyrics were written by Jim Capaldi for Winwood to sing...
And, like most songs people think do, it has nothing to do with drugs:
And, like most songs people think do, it has nothing to do with drugs:
"Pollard and I would sit around writing lyrics all day, talking about Bob Dylan and the Band, thinking up ridiculous plots for the movie. Before I left Morocco, Pollard wrote in my book 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.' For me, it summed him up. He had this tremendous rebel attitude. He walked around in his cowboy boots, his leather jacket. At the time he was a heavy little dude. It seemed to sum up all the people of that generation who were just rebels. The 'Low Spark,' for me, was the spirit, high-spirited. You know, standing on a street corner. The low rider. The 'Low Spark' meaning that strong undercurrent at the street level".
@sleepnot Steve didn’t write the lyrics. Jim Capaldi did. Also, he has said in interviews what it’s about, and it isn’t that.
@sleepnot Steve didn’t write the lyrics. Jim Capaldi did. Also, he has said in interviews what it’s about, and it isn’t that.