Steve Winwood took us higher with his most popular, most glossy, most engineered album. 'Back in the High Life Again' was his last album on Island Records after getting his start there twenty years before. The use of synthesizers and drum machines made for a more commercially appealing sound while the horns and mandolins and percussion suggest the sound of Traffic and the Spencer Davis Group. It made it to number three on the US album chart and won three Grammys.
'Higher Love' was the first single and made it to number one in Canada and the US. It was written by Winwood and Will Jennings and features vocals by Chaka Khan. It won Grammys for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year.
"I could light the night up with my soul on fire
I could make the sun shine from pure desire
Let me feel that love come over me
Let me feel how strong it could be"
The title track was also written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings and featured background vocals by James Taylor. 'Back in the High Life Again' made it to number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100.
"We'll have ourselves a time
And we'll dance till the morning sun
And we'll let the good times come in
And we won't stop till we're done"
'The Finer Things' was written by Winwood. It went to number one for three weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
"While there is time
Let's go out and feel everything
If you hold me
I will let you into my dream
For time is a river rolling into nowhere
We must live while we can
And we'll drink our cup of laughter"
'Freedom Overspill' made it to number four on the Mainstream Rock Chart. It was written by Winwood, George Fleming, and James Hooker.
"Keep on talking all you want
Well you don't waste a minute of time
Who cares, who knows what's true
Coffee and tears the whole night through
Burning up on midnight oil
And it's come right back on you"
Steve Winwood - Freedom Overspill from Athena Camberos on Vimeo.
'Back in the High Life Again'
full album:
All songs written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings except where noted
1. "Higher Love" 5:45
2. "Take It as It Comes" 5:20
3. "Freedom Overspill" (Steve Winwood, George Fleming, James Hooker) 5:33
4. "Back in the High Life Again" 5:33
5. "The Finer Things" 5:47
6. "Wake Me Up on Judgment Day" 5:48
7. "Split Decision" (Winwood, Joe Walsh) 5:58
8. "My Love's Leavin'" (Winwood, Viv Stanshall) 5:19
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