Low Spark

Ok, so we watched a video at a dispatcher’s workshop that featured the song Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys by Traffic, but no one knew the song except for me, and that made me sad.  This is a great song from a great album, and deserves to be explored by everyone — everyone — do it.

If you see something that looks like a star
And it’s shooting up out of the ground
And your head is spinning from a loud guitar
And you just can’t escape from the sound
Don’t worry too much, it’ll happen to you
We were children once, playing with toys

And the thing that you’re hearing is only the sound
Of the low spark of high-heeled boys

(Refrain)
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

If you had just a minute to breathe
And they granted you one final wish
Would you ask for something like another chance
Or something similar as this
Don’t worry too much, it’ll happen to you
As sure as your sorrows or joys

And the thing that disturbs you is only the sound
Of the low spark of high-heeled boys

(Refrain)

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

There’s much speculation as to what the song is about, ranging from Nuclear War, the assassination of JFK, and drugs.  I think the song is about being screwed over by the “man,” and about musicians more specifically being “taken.”  As for the man buying the car, then the man being shot dead — maybe that’s about how the profiteers will even screw each other over.

Mainly, it’s an awesome song — and well worth many, many listens.

Traffic / Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys / 1971

Steve Winwood
Chris Wood
Jim Capaldi
Ric Grech
Jim Gordon
Rebop Kwaku Baah

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