Life and Island Times May 6 2016

He’s gonna love the low spark of high-heeled prison boys

Marlow has always liked this Traffic song for its spiritual message. Spirit is something that no one destroys is a great line for those from the rebellious 60s who loved rock music.

The story behind Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys is very simple. Just before the release of this album Steve Winwood was in bitter negotiation with his music label. High heeled, long hair, screaming guitar bands had blazed ono the radio waves. Winwood’s label wanted him to redo this album to conform with this new style. He would not compromise himself or his music. So Winwood paid dearly in cash to sever his contract. Soon after leaving that label he recorded Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys with a new R&B label.

So, when casting about today for a segue from yesterday’s piece about the price that he has paid these past 18 months, Marlow heard this long ago 70s song and was inspired to write what follows:

Saw something that looked like a dark star
It was sucking things into the ground
Didn’t worry too much, couldn’t believe it was happening
We were children then, playing with toys
And the thing in the distance that we were seeing was
The low spark of two thieving boys

The percentages they were playing were too high-priced
They were living beyond all their means
The Commander bought a new car
From the profits he stole from their machines
But you just read that these men‘re about to be shot
By a gun that doesn’t make any noise
It won’t be a bullet that lays them to rest
It’ll be a jury of girls and boys

If they had just a minute to breathe and were granted one final wish
Would they ask for something like another chance
Or something similar as this? Mustn’t worry too much
It’ll happen to them as sure as their sorrows are joys
And the thing that’ll disturb them will only be the sound of
The low spark of high-heeled prison boys

If we gave them everything that we owned and asked for nothing in return
Would they do the same for us as we would for them
Or take us for a ride, and strip us of everything including our pride?
But spirit is something that no one destroys
And the sound that they’ll be hearing is only the sound
The low spark of high-heeled prison boys

High-Heeled Prison Boys

Copyright © 2016 From My Isle Seat