This masterpiece is the epitome of progressive music. Listening to this song since 27 December 1971. Every year up till now. Definitely one of the best songs of all time, I dare any music lover to disagree with me.
Per Jim Capaldi, who co-wrote the song with Steve Winwood: The low spark is an undercurrent of revolution at the street level. The high heeled boy was a good friend of his - an activist who was short and wore cowboy boots with really thick heels. Peace.
Traffic dropped two studio albums, then broke up, then reformed a year or so later and dropped four more before wrapping up in 1974. Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood. Capaldi played drums, Mason guitar, Winwood keys, and Wood the flutes and sax. Winwood and Mason often jammed with Jimi Hendrix back when. Mason plays the twelve string on "All Along The Watchtower" for example. When you're ready for more from Traffic, check out "Freedom Rider", "Feelin' Alright?", "Dear Mr. Fantasy", and more. "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" is about musicians getting scammed by corrupt managers and bad record labels.
I first heard this song live. October 1971. The album had not been released yet. Here we are more than 50 years later, still a totally unique track from a legendary band
Steve Winwood was 23 at the time of this. He was 15 when performing as organist/singer with the Spencer Davis Group, and 19 when he wrote & performed I'm a Man with them. Insane talent.
Oh man was I obsessed with this song back in the day! I played it over and over and over again, and learned to play it by ear on a little portable keyboard that we had. I just loved it. Couldn’t tell you then or now what the hell the words meant 😄 I just loved the music and the arrangement. Great to hear it again after so many years.
I recommend playing the entire album “John Barleycorn Must Die.” The title track is a very old traditional folk song. It is my favorite album of theirs, but really so much of their music is great.
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
Dear Mr Fantasy is another great Traffic song. It's not so long form, but it's one of their most popular songs. Even Marvel used it as the opening song for Avengers: Endgame! Steve Winwood, the lead singer, guitarist & keyboardist & writer is a musical legend and just kills it every time.
This band were exceptional Obviously Steve and Jim playing with other incredible musicians! Been loving this music since the early 70s But for me personally Chris Woods saxophone and flute player extraordinaire is their signature sound!!..
The lyrics can be pretty abstract and poetic. However the song is about the music business and how executives take advantage of artists “And the man in the suit has just bought a new car from the profit he’s made on your dreams.”
Mate I think that you've got it wrong! No Speedballs back in 70s England! And they were a bunch of Hippies, Psyedelics and good quality Hash back in the day!!..
I came to this amazing song only two years ago. Up until then, I had only heard two of their 1960s tracks which were released as singles when I was a boy: "Hole in my Shoe" and "Paper Sun". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Low_Spark_of_High_Heeled_Boys_(song)
Low spark is injection, and high heeled boy is speedball, a mixture of cocaine and heroin. The first verse is about shooting up. The second verse is about a dealer that got overdosed.
I've seen this explanation before, but I have to say it doesn't make as much sense as the other explanation, which is that it's about a band getting screwed over by the record company - the chorus is pretty unambiguous there isn't it?
Looking like your getting lost in the Music youngster ! That's just as it should be !! The original Lp cover came with two corners cut off, so you're looking at a cube! Anamazing piece of artwork/design , it's Impossible to decide whether you're viewing it from above or below!!!....
This masterpiece is the epitome of progressive music. Listening to this song since 27 December 1971. Every year up till now. Definitely one of the best songs of all time, I dare any music lover to disagree with me.
🥱
This song really hits when you listen to it while driving down a lonely country road after dark. You can really get lost in the sauce.
Hope you'll check out more Traffic!!
They had amazing diversity, and incredible musicianship.
Traffic! What great and memorable band. Still have many of my favorite songs in my playlists.
Per Jim Capaldi, who co-wrote the song with Steve Winwood: The low spark is an undercurrent of revolution at the street level. The high heeled boy was a good friend of his - an activist who was short and wore cowboy boots with really thick heels. Peace.
The "friend"was Michael J. Pollard an actor whose most famous role was in the movie Bonnie and Clyde
Thank you for that info. Always loved the song, and always wondered about the meaning.
Traffic dropped two studio albums, then broke up, then reformed a year or so later and dropped four more before wrapping up in 1974. Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood. Capaldi played drums, Mason guitar, Winwood keys, and Wood the flutes and sax. Winwood and Mason often jammed with Jimi Hendrix back when. Mason plays the twelve string on "All Along The Watchtower" for example. When you're ready for more from Traffic, check out "Freedom Rider", "Feelin' Alright?", "Dear Mr. Fantasy", and more. "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" is about musicians getting scammed by corrupt managers and bad record labels.
This song is a staple on classic rock stations, and much loved by most who've heard it. Traffic is a great band, definitely worth checking out.
I first heard this song live. October 1971. The album had not been released yet. Here we are more than 50 years later, still a totally unique track from a legendary band
Vocalist Steve Winwood was all over the place. Was in Blind Faith with Clapton and had solo success in the 80s
I’ve seen them play it live when they reformed in the early 90’s and then again when I saw Steve Winwood solo, iconic song and band 👌
Steve Winwood was 23 at the time of this.
He was 15 when performing as organist/singer with the Spencer Davis Group, and 19 when he wrote & performed I'm a Man with them.
Insane talent.
Spencer Davis Group
Oh man was I obsessed with this song back in the day! I played it over and over and over again, and learned to play it by ear on a little portable keyboard that we had. I just loved it. Couldn’t tell you then or now what the hell the words meant 😄 I just loved the music and the arrangement. Great to hear it again after so many years.
Ditto! ✌️
Traffic was an incredible band. Have always loved this song.
I recommend playing the entire album “John Barleycorn Must Die.” The title track is a very old traditional folk song. It is my favorite album of theirs, but really so much of their music is great.
Have not heard this in quite a while...nice hearing it hear while preparing dinner. A very welcomed vibe right now.👍💛✌️
Great song jammin..back in the day we did a lot of getting high,probably not a good idea,listening to music this good..enjoy
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
Dear Mr Fantasy is another great Traffic song. It's not so long form, but it's one of their most popular songs. Even Marvel used it as the opening song for Avengers: Endgame! Steve Winwood, the lead singer, guitarist & keyboardist & writer is a musical legend and just kills it every time.
Yes I feel it! Good groove.
This band were exceptional
Obviously Steve and Jim playing with other incredible musicians!
Been loving this music since the early 70s
But for me personally Chris Woods saxophone and flute player extraordinaire is their signature sound!!..
Saw this bad live in the 70's. The were an amazing band. I loved their John Barley Corrn Must Die album.
One of the best songs in this universe!
This was a jam back in the day! These cats were buddies with Jimi Hendrix…..
Best song of 1971 ...the best year in music
Thanks for listening JJ, this song is an interesting journey for sure. All time classic from Traffic.
Masterpiece on a Desert Island Disc. Traffic was amazing from the start.
The album cover was really that shape.
Headphones, darkened room, intoxicant of your choice play the album start to finish.
This is on the Mt Rushmore of songs by bands who take a shot at the record company Execs.
The lyrics can be pretty abstract and poetic. However the song is about the music business and how executives take advantage of artists “And the man in the suit has just bought a new car from the profit he’s made on your dreams.”
Traffic is great ❤. Steve Winwood on vocals!
It’s smooth af.
It's about a junkie and his dealer. "High heeled boy" is a speedball (heroine and cocaine) and a "low spark" is a drug rush.
Mate I think that you've got it wrong!
No Speedballs back in 70s England!
And they were a bunch of Hippies, Psyedelics and good quality Hash back in the day!!..
Somehow got unsubscribed to your channel glad to find it again! I love the heck out of this song, it just grabs me from the start and never lets go.
Boy, does this take me back! They remind me of Supertramp, come to think of it. I've been listening to a lot of the Tramp lately.
Listening while cooking dinner first time listen ok nosavabor this is pleasant tune for a cold friday cold evening i enjoyed greeat reaction 🎼🎶🎵💯❤️
Funny, I am cooking while listening to this as well...😊
@@johnneils9084 haha I had salmon an veggies 😅
@@wakeupstopsleeping6300 that's the good stuff!
Bon Appètit!
Thanks for the review. 😊
I came to this amazing song only two years ago. Up until then, I had only heard two of their 1960s tracks which were released as singles when I was a boy: "Hole in my Shoe" and "Paper Sun".
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Low_Spark_of_High_Heeled_Boys_(song)
I think it had something to do with Studio executives ripping off musicians
You should check out a band called King Crimson.The Court of the Crimson King album is great.
Masterpiece🤘❤️
Low spark is injection, and high heeled boy is speedball, a mixture of cocaine and heroin. The first verse is about shooting up. The second verse is about a dealer that got overdosed.
I've seen this explanation before, but I have to say it doesn't make as much sense as the other explanation, which is that it's about a band getting screwed over by the record company - the chorus is pretty unambiguous there isn't it?
MOTOR CYCLE GANGS.
Looking like your getting lost in the Music youngster !
That's just as it should be !!
The original Lp cover came with two corners cut off, so you're looking at a cube!
Anamazing piece of artwork/design , it's Impossible to decide whether you're viewing it from above or below!!!....
So blues funk?
Herion
“John Barleycorn Must Die” is also a great tune ❤. @hippiechic723