Traffic - Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys Pt 1

[boatman1953]

Thanks for all the nice replies. I wonder if you folks know that YouTube vids are downloadable. Since I can't post a link you'll have to google the term "youtube downloader". It's free and it converts the flv files to avi. I usually use a third party software (magic video converter) to change the avi files to mpeg. Check it out.

[zorrogash]

GET DOWN <<REBOP..!!



[marcfedak]

Awesome atmospheric groove. I love the octave bass line and sympathetic drums. And of course Steve Winwood's bluesy piano playing and singing.

[6superb9]

God......where else can you find tons of old videos like this...but YouTube. I have a newfound respect for this site since I have found so many long lost musical memories! I can spend hours watching /hearing videos from the 60's 70's '80's. This place is turning into a music video archive!!!

[boatman1953]

@6superb9 I thought I'd never see some of the vids again from my younger days. YouTube is great and the vids are downloadable. See my post above.

[Macabeem1]

Great, but so blows it cuts off:(

[BARBIEUNCOVERED]

When we hit "play" to this song back at Auburn in '74, the ladies were definitely in the house. Excellent relaxing sensual mood music. Those girls didn't stand a chance of keeping their panties on thanks to Winwood and company. lol Never gave a shit what the song was about back then. Interesting to consider now, though. Thanks for the video!

[chrisart7]

I always thought the instrumental finale of the Beatles' song "Magical Mystery Tour" sounding very similar to this tune, particularly at the 3:20 mark in this video. Such would make an interesting segue.

Jim Capaldi and actor Michael J. Pollard were on holidays in Morocco, and Pollard wrote the phrase "the low spark of high heeled boys" in Capaldi's journal, signifying the intensity (low spark) of an angry young man; the high heels only refer to hippie era fashion.

[boatman1953]

@chrisart7 I've read the same thing somewhere.

[Dragonhug]

I always heard the "

Low Spark" was an old term for radio (records play?) and "High Heeled Boys" referred to Mott The Hoople and the song was something to do with the record label catering to the new "kids" and pushing their songs (over Traffic) to sell records (and make profits), which of course refers to the "Man in the suit has bought a new car...". Of course, there is much more than that being said in the song.

[javichuification]

when you listen to the original version recorded at studio ,there is a part, where Capaldi sounds like he is missing the time beat for a moment which it really surprises me, considered to be one of the greatest drumers. Any comments on that?

[busterbone]

I love this old Traffic stuff-Capaldi, Wood, Winwood, Rebop, etc. wow. Something tells me most of the people there that night would not have a clean drug urine screen if they were tested-just a hunch.

[lexo30]

@busterbone If passing a urine test was a prerequisite for being allowed to record, most of jazz between 1918 and 1980 or so would never have been recorded at all.

[tjhillgardner]

High-Heeled Boys: Winwood is referring to Moroccan hipsters in Casablanca.

[svenolley]

Forgot just how much I enjoy Traffic.Forget what possible meanings there are,have a listen instead.

[tim2ualls]

If you want to know what the lyrics stand for,ask steve winwood.

[ElectricCandleLight]

I read in an interview, Im not sure who the speaker was maybey Steve IDK, but it said something about this song being about rebels. The low spark represents a person rising into a state that nothing matters, and high heeled being the rebelious attitude, like Ill wear high heels and see what the fuck you think about it.

[TilderyKoadil]

cool.. thats pretty profound.. lyrics these days r just so shallow and dull..

[MezSays]

The song is about heroin. I heard this in the 80's

The line " a gun that doesn't make any noise= a needle.

Then, you add the cockney slang.

The song makes sense

[TilderyKoadil]

oohh i wanna learn cockney slang.. i love them brits..

[scalabration]

The meaning of the title is discussed in a Wikipedia article on the song (YT won't allow me to post the URL). Just search Wikipedia for the title.

[tjhillgardner]

If I recall, Capaldi said that this song referred to street kids in Casablanca who thought they were "toughs."

[lovechild007]

i can't think of the proper adjectives to describe this song

amazing, awesome... just don't do it

it is SO FREAKING GOOD!

[petideausa]

This song always reminds me of my friend/brother Brett Grossman. I miss you!!

[retrogamah]

I discovered this song at AOL radio today... and I like it very much!!!

Great video!

[amazrand]

great post

[inmyriver]

This song will always remind me of my friend Frank Watson. He would pick me up for school in his sisters Camaro, pop in Low Spark (8 track) and the fade out would come just as we pulled into the parking lot.

[fins59]

My interpretation of Spark= Cockney rhyming slang for Spark Plug = Drugs

So low spark is crappy drugs.

[denimjunkies]

Reebop Kwaku-Ba on congas RIP same goes for Chris Wood (sax and flute) classic band - saw them at the Albert Hall about '71.

[bigsurbill]

Actually, I think the title, LSOTHHB comes from Michael Pollard, an actor, who wrote it in one of the band members book, maybe Capaldi.

[StinkingHombre]

Ahhh Bullshit Stevie - Look at another video from the same year (74) "Speedys Coming" by the Scorpions and try and find some deep profound meaning. There is none, it's just Steve W groveling like a sissy about prancing around in pumps wishing he was as big as Led Zeppelin and blaming his management and record company executives because he wasn't.

[StinkingHombre]

This song is about being used and taken for a ride by sluts and record company executives.

[zerothrew9]

there is no mention of the guys name that is playing the bongos!! if u dont watch the video of this song u dont really pick up on the bongos... what a great discovery!!! whats his name?

[onedringus]

Rebop Kwaku Baah (no, really)

[rockahead]

Steve Winwood was never hooked on heroin. The song has a number of influences lyrically including Michael J Pollard who was a mate of Capaldi's but Mott The Hoople were definitely the High Heeled boys according to Steve Winwood who met them when Mott were recording at Basing Street studios with Guy Stevens

[fabrikk60]

I heard that Winwood's delayed 1st solo album was supposed to be called "Mad Shadows", but Mott heard the name and swiped it for their album. Apparently "Low Spark" is a musical revenge dig at Mott.

[rockahead]

John Barlecorn Must Die was originally going to be called Mad Shadows but the band changed their mind. Originally Mott The Hoople's Mad Shadows was going to be called Sticky Fingers but they had to change that when the Stones announced that their next album was going to be called Sticky Fingers so Mott came up with Mad Shadows which Traffic then announced as their next album. When Traffic changed the title of their album to John Barleycorn then Mott were free to use Mad Shadows.

[kanij87]

their relationship with their managers / recording lable.

[kanij87]

Yes, terrific song. Quite like anything else. I think I once read an interview with Winwood where he discussed the meaning of this song, but I'm not quite sure anymore what he said. Think it had to do with t

[vinegaroon1]

Saw Traffic at Tulane University in the very early seventies. What a show! Small auditorium and they killed us!

[mslizzyborden]

If that was the show that also featured Paul Rogers and Free, I was there.

[amccranie74]

Widespread has been covering this recently. Awesome footage of a young Steve Winwood!

[Helamau]

One of the great songs and performances of all time. Sadly there is no such thing to be had in the world today. All hip-hop noise and commercialized crap.

Thank you so much for the vid.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Was Dave Mason with the band at this point?

[ReneeNme]

Classy classic schtuff.

[mcwhiteface]

stevie is at his best/ saw them at stonybrook college mcwhiteface

[CONCRETEMON]

this album was the first i bought,i was 14 yrs old and bought it at woolworths because the album cover was not square but bent off to the right-trhis is something of the idealism of the time-it celebrated the spirit of the treshold of youth....spirit of being young &free

[ReneeNme]

lol @ Woolworths. I remember sitting at the soda fountain bar at ours popping balloons for prizes as a kid.

(sigh) Where has the time gone.

[listennowbreath]

This song should be required listening for every 9th grader in the country. Best songs of all time 101, children!!!!

[madhoneydew]

no, didn't mean anything mean. take care, hope you the best.

[RKR1919]

sorry man, didn't mean anything against you, this song used to make me feel good (way back when) and now, I guess I just listen to it trying to get that feeling back. Please take no offense against me.

[madhoneydew]

all that you have to say, RKR1919, is within the world. there is no proposition that is not built on actuality.

[RKR1919]

madhoneydew, I don't have a clue what your comment means, but I hope it was not anything mean. This time year is the worst in my life, hopefully I get through it, without losing my mind completely.

[RKR1919]

I love music, it makes me feel good. No one really knows what the lyrics mean except for the person(s) who wrote them. We all have are own perception of what it means. If you think of just one part of the song, such as "If you had just a minute to breath, and they granted you one final wish, would ask for something like another chance? To me, this is what the song is all about;another way to change what happens in our lives!I would wish to God he wouldn't have taken my son, but taken me instead.

[ripley450]

subj: you buy me a sax

and I'll trade you for the Super Sevens , and jam some midrange horn, keys and vocals... SEE WHA IM SAYIN? turn this up

[msbfd]

One of the things that makes the song great is that you can interpret it so many different ways, and they all resonate with someone. There are people who don't listen, but no one seems to be offended by the song. Can't get much better than that, and even the music lovers who ignore the words can get off on the killer jamming.

[RKR1919]

hey man, you said it all.!

[mattb48]

my mom loves this song o_O

[FascistStatement]

I personally play & sing the song. I think I know a thing or two about undercurrents on the street. I've bounced between working it in music as well as parties, public and coffee houses gigs, now do so with injured wrist. SeeFascistStatement,BeatnikJaz­z, GoodAndGooder,DannySladeCroman­, JamaicaMeanOmelette,&batsinyou­rbelfry on you tube. People who dig Winwood are usually cool. I'm glad this was here. The query by posting guy was strange. But,it got people pecking at their keyboards, for sure, eh?

[FascistStatement]

Quoting Jim Capaldi, "He (Michael Pollard) had this tremendous rebel attitude.".."It (the ambiguous line) 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."

[FascistStatement]

My first guess was it meant the low output (probably in a spiritual sense), such as from a barely functioning spark plug - of those who expected to trust those in the business end of glitter rock or glamour rock, & that such fame would sustain them. Capaldi, who cowrote it, says fellow actor Michael Pollard wrote the line in his notebook, at some point as they waited together in Moroco for a movie slated to be made, which wasn't. See next comment.

[jej3125]

My interpretation... it is an allegory about the conflict/interplay between Hubris and the Undertow in the ocean of Bliss (in which the powerful undercurrents are powered by the rebel/dreamer) during the stages of our lives: childhood, career, marriage and death.

[ddoodiac]

What it may or mat not be about is, to me, irrelevant. What it means to me is all that counts to me. What it means to you may be specifically different, but probably the same in essence. Good old times. Lets not forget that these guys were not oracles of any kind, just very talented musicians and writers

[tstark1958]

just sublime takes me back to my youth just a great band light one up crack a cold one and call your woman its time baby

[ModernSaxDotCom]

Lovin this, thanks for posting

[moonsterbloom]

simply..Magical

[infinitebadger]

Sublime. Winwood is so talented. Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi are sadly missed. If they were still alive I would pay almost any amount to see them live again. I still listen to Traffic all the time - a 40 year addiction with no hope (or wish) for a cure.

[send2meez]

it's about the mafia. the man was shot dead by a gun that didn't make any noise. (silencer)

[JazzSheep]

It's about Mott the Hoople, right?

[DADDYTWOSIXTEEN]

what do you think is shooting up out of the ground, if not a nuclear warhead? we were children once, playing with toys.......

[jdthebooster]

amazing..

[icetrout2]

I miss the early 70's the 00's suck!!!

[TheSanityInspector]

There was plenty of crap in the old days, too. We just don't have to listen to it anymore.

[biggaw501]

Dude..how can you call this crap. This was a perfect blend of jazz, blues and rock. Traffic was light years ahead of their time

[TheSanityInspector]

What I mean is: Whenever someone posts a classic like this, someone else inevitably sighs over how they wish they could go back "then", when music was all so great. They forget, or else didn't know, that along with the great stuff like this, there was plenty of crap, which is best forgotten. I wasn't denigrating this song at all; in fact it's one of my two or three favorite Traffic tunes. Clear now? Good. You're welcome.

[DAWNHILLS]

Yes agreed, lots of crapola round c.70s BUT being young we only remember the good stuff and the music associated with it. Who wants to recall the days that sucked when you 16/18? Not me! However, very innovative era for music, inevitably from 2 massive musical decades of 50s/60s. This still rocks in an ultimate laidbackness kind of way though..

[biggaw501]

I was feelin you until the "clear now...good....you're welcome". No need to get defensive. Meanwhile, thanks for clarifying your previous comments. There always has and always will be a certain amount of crap created in any era. From as far back a ragtime music to today's current tunes. The most important thing to remember however is we have the choice to listen and support any given artist/group or simply not. And to quote you my friend you are very welcome.

[DAWNHILLS]

Wow, had forgotten how great this is and how much I used to listen to it. Dont care what its about really.

[RKR1919]

me too, don't care what it means, it's very calming to me

[bootely]

for full effect, take lsd and press play

[nlandess]

i don't anymore, but I couldn't agree more.

[eileenrose629]

No herb need to enjoy this.....just a mind.

[MNWildfan72]

Great song to smoke a bowl to with your friends.

[mythicalfish217]

Low spark of "high heeled noise" was

a very scary story printed in Creepy Magazine

in the 70's with air brush art by Rich Corbin.

If any of you have acces to that magazine

you might want to give it a look and compare to the lyrics, I believe I remember a law suit or something connected to it back then.

For what it's worth...

[ljean369]

Well, I've never been able to figure out this song. Something about money, something about death (wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest). If it was a little later in history, I'd say AIDS, but I don't think that's it. ???

[hokiejane]

I can't remember where I heard this, but the "high heeled boys" are supposedly pimps.

"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"

[phddddd]

The fashion for hipsters and young record producers at this time was to wear vinyl shoes with high heels and squared toes. Traffic was having its treasure trove of songs stolen by their record company. I read the heroin guy's comment, and, hey, maybe ... but I always thought it was about Winwood's fight with his record company and the low sparks (inspriation) of their high-heeled boys.

[loathar21]

THAT makes more sense.

Whatever it's about, it's got some of the best sax work ever...

[wgoco]

ljean, gladto help u out, dude..song is about heroin..in early 70s Mr. Fantasy Winwood was hooked on it along with just about eveyone else in England, meself included...they had billboards up trying to stop use as it was cheaper than buying pints; the gun wivoutnoise is a 'fit' (needle).laid 'im to rest is overdose, mon..heroin, or 'skag' was a staple rec drug for all musicians and MOST of the day in UK were users, including Stones, Beatles and all of Cream.surprising most of us are still alive.

[ljean369]

Thanks for clearing it up. Glad most of you are still alive, too!

[wgoco]

Big TA, Ljean...bein alive is cooool!

[GalacticCabaret2]

He's refering to the ones that run the record companies.

[flesheatingbull]

winwood is the epitome of creativity. what a performance.

[secretagentjohndrake]

This song is based on a great jazz song which of course I can't remember the name of!

[maryshelleysman]

What this song is about is what happens when you get a clear picture of your reality and realize that no matter what you do there is always someone who will label you and package you and sell you. "And the man in suit has just bought a new car from the profit he's made on your dreams"

[pinkology777]

One of the few muscians who understand that less truly is more. Knowing when notes need to breathe, knowing when NOT to play; that's real genius. And Steve Winwood/Traffic are ate up with it.

[sarahthediva]

I heard this song in a trailer/preview for a vintage porno movie called Taboo I can see why they used it,it has a very sexy sound

[Dracqla]

It's about the mafia taking interest in your money-making potential.

[msbfd]

It's not hard to tell what the whole song is about if you listen to the lyrics. But what, exactly, is the "Low Spark", and is it different in "High Heeled Boys" (by which I presume he's referring to the stupid fashions musicians wore then rather than, say, trannies) than in other people?

and something in the back of my head is whispering "it's cocaine, you fool" but one thing we learned in the Sixties is that ANYTHING can be a drug metaphor if you look hard enough for drug metaphors.

[floydfanTN]

I thought it was cannibis. He does say "Profit you made on your ""Greens""

[HymieDelWeen]

Profit you made on your dreams.

[smokyjoecool]

"high heeled boys" refers to the cowboy boots i believe of the lot out near Nevada that were living in communes, not using manufactured goods, starting tent cities, basically on the level of providing for ones self with out working in society at the time, the "low spark' refers to temprament, a spark point of a substance is the temperature at which it catches fire

[garzaeduardo]

if u were there,then ur still tripping.goods,tent cities,working in society,bro,get off the juice,it's 40yrs later,it's 2008.

[CityofDreadfulDelite]

I was 13 in '72 and very much into progressive rock-- Yes, ELP, but particularly the jazz-influenced Traffic. 'Low Spark' is for me, Traffic at their very best-- and definitive of 70's progressive rock.

Thanks for posting... Great memories!

[Dennyc52]

This has always been one of my favorite songs.Traffic Rocks!!!!! Love the words and the amazing musicians.

[Sharpshooter226]

im 15 and i wish more kids my age apperciated this stuff phenominal

[LRonOMG]

its Phenomenal

[ladmex53]

I'm 57 and have been listening to TRAFFIC since I was 15. I can remember seeing this group in concert many a moon ago. They played some great music. Although all you hear on the radio any more is this song or Dear Mr. Fantasy.

[MuffinWhaleMan]

I'm 39 and remember songs like this and still enjoy them especially this one

[rickrudd]

My favorite - I'm 27 and I've been listening to traffic since I was 15. On the road is my favorite album - this is the same lineup from those years. Awesome.

"Spirit is something no one can destroy."

[frontlobo]

On The Road is simply fantastic!

[bj4paul]

This is fantastic, any footage from Shootout at the Fantasy Factory??

[cathboy]

I'm only 30 and I LOVE Traffic. They were so ahead of their time in so many ways.

[EntropyEpoch]

My interpatation has been that song is about artist having the freedom to create music without the restrant of record companies demanding a hit record.The late 60's and early 70's were like that. Bands famous without a hit record.

[AUS10TEX]

When the usa first heard winwood, they assumed he was black. Traffic was great band.

[horacio0206]

Thanks boatman1953, this song reminds my old days in Patagonia. Could you kindly give me the answer of your question?

Argentina

[SouthernRebeler]

true musical geniuses at work

[THX10538]

"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.' 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." wikipedia

[crvic001]

Some have said that the lyrics are a commentary on heroin addiction. Living beyond you means as the contstant drive to get the money to score. Profit on your dreams as the high and the effects. Man in the suit as the '60s high placed pushers, often a band manager or organized crime figure...... One would have to ask Steve.

[stwads]

this is with the ace muscle shoals guys barry beckett n dave hood n reebop. wasnt chris wood a star!!!

[nhbright]

Great intense version- Its hard to see if anyone's directing or if its just "flowing". I do miss the signiture ending, but besides that this is the absolute best music of the period. Whats Winwood doing now?

[fcocca]

26 Feb 2008 10:40EDT

Winwood is playing with Eric Clapton tonight in New York City at Madison Square Garden, before continuing the tour in Europe.

[fattycat92]

music like this is just not made any more

[dpodla]

I always thought this GREAT song was a celebration of high-heeled boys and how they CHANGED the straight world-as a nyc club girl from the late 60's, I can tell you they absolutely DID! (and we are glad they did)

[NJL1955]

Thanks for posting this video. Traffic's always been one of my favourite groups, and Low Spark is one of rock's all-time great songs -- despite its relative obscurity.

[elvinraindrop]

I love this song SO much ... it rocks ...still good after 20 something years listening to it..still gives me goosebumps

[basketballjonesuba]

in college this was the first song i got stoned too. amazing rifts.

[mallypoo]

Low Spark Of High Heel Boys refers to the depression, downer state of mind, sometimes darkness that surrounds many rock artists, then and now. In '72, to wear high heeled boots and your hair long was was to set yourself apart. The most creative minds are often the most troubled. "If you had just a minute to breathe, and they granted you one final wish, would you ask for something like another chance?"

[wobblyone]

thanks so much for putting this up, saw them about '74 at Portsmouth Guildhall

[hepenypacker]

goto a site "songfacts" "." "com"

[boatman1953]

I read somewhere it was a put-down of Mott The Hoople and all the Glam Shit that was happening. "Spirit is One Thing That Can't Be Destroyed".

[TheViking007]

I heard two things that this song is about. Both regard Winwood's Past Life Regression experiences 1 this song is about the Karma of the managers and producers that crossed him. 2 It's a course on those Managers and producers. We were all once children playing with toys, is saying I no longer need a weapon, now I cast spells. Early Winwood gets real spiritual.

[crusteous]

Great great song. To answer your question, it is at least partially about frustration with the music biz (The man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he made from your dreams) and something about the current glam music trend he didn't much like (high-heeled boys). Despite its crankiness, it moves me.

[boatman1953]

I had to split this vid in two sections since it is soo damn long. I have the entire concert and it's awesome. Enjoy.

Boatman

[Efrasnel]

Tell me where I can find the DVD, please. I've been looking for it ever since I saw Mr Fantasy on MTV Europe (yes, they were good once)

[boatman1953]

I had a friend rent the vid from Netflix and ripped it. I bet if you do a torrent search you can find it.

[boatman1953]

Fucking YouTube. I just posted a link to a torrent for this concert in DVD and YouTube blocked it. Fuckers!