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

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 are joys

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

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
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
Ooh, ooh, ooh


Lyrics submitted by majii, edited by SidtheYid

The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys Lyrics as written by Steve Winwood Jim Capaldi

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys song meanings
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    General Comment

    I agree that the entire song is a metaphor about the forces that lay us low in life. One, however, was left out of the original assesment: pride. I believe this is the true meaning of the first verse. When the singer says "If you see something that looks like a star" he's refering to the urge to become a star - the feeling that you can do something better than anybody else can. When he then says "We were all children once, playing with toys", he refers to the dream that a lot of young kids who play an instrument or are in a band have about becomming a "star".

    The second verse is obviously about credit and modern lending practices. The words "living beyond your means" refers to the fact that most people live in debt and the interest rates we pay allow the man to buy a new car - "From the profit he's made on your dreams"

    The third verse is about that moment in life when we realize it's our last breath. It asks the question, will we ask for another chance? But reminds the listener that we still have those things in life that have done to hurt other people - "The thing that disturbs you is only sound of the low spark of high-heeled boys."

    For some reason the singer decides to reinforce the lesson of hedonism from before when he again refers to living beyond your means.

    The final verse I complete agree with the original assesment about the singer asking the listener if he would reciprocate any openness he presented. He asks if we would walk all over him and "take him for a ride".

    soshimoon July 14, 2006   Link

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