Back In The High Life Again

This song is about taking things for granted and finally learning your lesson when it's too late. The man in the song used to have it all; a fast, fun life with a wonderful woman. Now he has lost his means of living that kind of life, be it lost his money, his mental capacity, etc. and he reminisces about the past life. He is trying to get back on his feet and thinks he will live that kind of life again.

This song is about nostaligia and trying to regain one's former glory.

1986 might be considered by many to be the year many rock greats of the '70s "sold out" and began considering the profit potential of the music they created. That same year Peter Gabriel released "So" and Eric Clapton (a major collaborator with Steve Winwood during the days of Blind Faith) released the slightly underrated, Phil Collins-produced disaster "August."

Of these artists, Steve Winwood's "Back in the High Life" best encapsulates the excitement felt by many musicians who began to reap the rewards of a hugely profitable music industry. Also, it's a consistent--and dare I say historically relevant--'80s pop-rock record, unlike the others mentioned above ("So" was also proved to be quite revolutionary, but mostly from a music video perspective, IMO). Of the British musicians who sought resurrection during the late '80s, Winwood wins over Gabriel and Clapton by far. His longevity following the release of "Back in the High Life," compared to the others, however, hasn't fared too well.

That said, the song merely speaks to the sense of excitement Winwood (and perhaps other musicians of his era) felt as a result of being catapulted back into the limelight (also: "the high life") following the uncertainty of the late-70s and early-80s. Not to say that the rise of the recording industry during this period was a good thing, but famous musicians such as Winwood, Clapton and Gabriel had much to be thankful for at the time.

The song structure itself is pretty standard. The key here is the hook-filled chorus, which is inspirational and rousing--very similar to British folk music, as exemplified by the beautiful extended cadence where he repeats the title of the song.

I thnk this song is saying that he was once living for the present, but at some point he realized how much time had passed him by. He tried to slow his life down, only to find out that when you spend time dwelling on preserving time that you are missing out on the best things in life. He had a good thing going with a girl, but threw it away because he wasn't ready for commitment. Now, he wants to live the high life with her again. That is, living for the present and not worrying about the past or the future.

This is one of my favorite songs. I'm at a point in my life where I'm kind of in a rut and things aren't going the way I had planned. I know I'll get back to where I'm living in the present and be back in the high life.

This is a great song and I am a huge fan of Steve Winwood, This song is saying basically once everything was easy for him, and he had it all and had someone as well, and somewhere during his life he lost track, he didn't know how make the "important" things like his relationship last ( "And I had to take it slowly Just to make the good parts last" )and kept moving on to the next bigger adventure

"All the doors I closed one time will open up again" this says he has realized his mistakes and will at some point go back to relaxing and enjoying life with his love he left behind but first he has to keep moving toward the next biggest thing. He then says "We'll be back in the high life again All the doors I closed one time will open up again" instead of "I" saying that he had figured out and he will be with his love again.

This song is about someone who once successful and lived the fast life, then they lost it all. Now they learned from their past mistakes.

He is singing about the good old times, and one day he'll obtain that successful life again.

A backslider's anthem. He tried to live the slow (godly) life, but now wants the fast (devilish) life again. Will Jennings also wrote "Higher Love", so "high" now has a double meaning. In "Higher Love", he's searching for that high feeling that could come from embracing God (ultimate fulfillment) or the devil (ego fulfillment). At the end, he chooses the devil, though: "I could light the night up with my SOUL on FIRE. I could make the SUN shine with pure DESIRE." Now, he's completely rejecting the godly life for drinking, dancing, and fame ("all the eyes that watched me once will smile and take me in"). There's no personal glory in living the "invisible" godly life. "Let the world back into me and I'll be a sight to see." = "world" is a euphemism for the devil. The Sun rules the Ego (in astrology) and is worshiped by Satanists. Will's father was a methodist preacher, so he knows what all of this means. He wants the devil to take possession of him again so he can enjoy the sinful ("high") life.

I can imagine it about a guy that had left his hometown for some time, whether it be to study at a university or serve in the military, and then returns home. He looks up his old friends and girlfriends and hanging out with them seems to be like old times. He discovers that his high school sweetheart is single as well and tells her that their new relationship (if they so decided to pursue one) would be better since they are both older and wiser.

is this James Taylor on backing vocals?

I have no idea what you all are talking about. This song is clearly about poker... when you're down to your last hand and you pull through and rebuild your chips. You're back in the high life again!