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Valerie Lyrics
So wild, standing there, with her hands in her hair
I can't help remember just where she touched me
There's still no face here in her place
So cool, she was like jazz on a summer's day
Music, high and sweet, then she just blew away
Now she can't be that warm with the wind in her arms
Valerie, call on me-call on me, Valerie
Come and see me-I'm the same boy I used to be
Love songs fill the night, but they don't tell it all
Not how lovers cry out just like they're dying
Her cries hang there in time somewhere
Someday, some good wind may blow her back to me
Some night I may hear her like she used to be
No it can't be that warm with the wind in her arms
So cool, she was like jazz on a summer's day
Music, high and sweet, then she just blew away
Don't tell me you're warm with the wind in your arms
I can't help remember just where she touched me
There's still no face here in her place
So cool, she was like jazz on a summer's day
Music, high and sweet, then she just blew away
Now she can't be that warm with the wind in her arms
Come and see me-I'm the same boy I used to be
Not how lovers cry out just like they're dying
Her cries hang there in time somewhere
Someday, some good wind may blow her back to me
Some night I may hear her like she used to be
No it can't be that warm with the wind in her arms
Music, high and sweet, then she just blew away
Don't tell me you're warm with the wind in your arms
Song Info
Submitted by
bobo192 On Aug 27, 2002
More Steve Winwood
Higher Love
Back In The High Life Again
While You See A Chance
Arc Of A Diver
The Finer Things
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Great Stuff - Winwood said he wrote the song because he knew of people in the music scene who were battling drug addiction and he just got so tired of seeing what the drug use was doing to the people around him- Valerie was one such person ("Then she just blew away". "It can't be that warm with the wind in her arms")
He is saying he can help her ("Call on Me") but she never does, caught in the throes of addiction
In his own words:
'Valerie', for instance, isn't a song remembering this girl I was madly in love with. It's not that at all. It's a plea to a certain girl singer - someone I don't know personally but who Will Jennings had drawn my attention to - not to destroy herself with drugs. The narrator in the song is saying, 'I'm back, and I'm the same person I used to be - so why isn't she?' "
BTW: the lyric is "I can't but help remember just where she touched me" a small distinction but enhances the song greatly
I had always assumed the song was about the singer meeting an old flame (Valerie) and saying they should go out again. However, cmckinley's take on it makes sense.
I had always assumed the song was about the singer meeting an old flame (Valerie) and saying they should go out again. However, cmckinley's take on it makes sense.
Regardless, I prefer my original interpretation of it. It reminds me of a girl I used to know that I'd like to see again (she's not named Valerie though...but one of her friends is).
Regardless, I prefer my original interpretation of it. It reminds me of a girl I used to know that I'd like to see again (she's not named Valerie though...but one of her friends is).
Good stuff cmckinley...
Good stuff cmckinley...
I always, like most I'm sure, thought that he was writing about a past love.
I always, like most I'm sure, thought that he was writing about a past love.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Peace.
Peace.
@cmckinley Every thing I've been reading suggests that this song is about Valerie Carter, a singer who released several albums in the 70s that really didn't go much of anywhere. She struggled with drug addiction before finally kicking the habit in 2009 after being arrested on possession charges. She sadly died of a heart attack in 2017. Her obituary is at https://www.tampabay.com/news/valerie-carter-recording-artist-and-backup-singer-of-st-petersburg-dead-at/2315426/.
@cmckinley Every thing I've been reading suggests that this song is about Valerie Carter, a singer who released several albums in the 70s that really didn't go much of anywhere. She struggled with drug addiction before finally kicking the habit in 2009 after being arrested on possession charges. She sadly died of a heart attack in 2017. Her obituary is at https://www.tampabay.com/news/valerie-carter-recording-artist-and-backup-singer-of-st-petersburg-dead-at/2315426/.
The name Valerie has origins and meanings relating to being brave, valiant, strong, and healthy (related to "valiant")... even though it can be about an actual person, I relate it to fleeting but meaningful times the narrator felt that way in and about his life, especially in youth, and now he's calling for "her" to return to grant him strength, bravery, health and victory in his undertakings. He's saying deep down he's the same boy he used to be who had big hopes, dreams and wishes and he needs her now to see them through.
it clearly is where call on me came from..gr8 gr8 gr8 gr8 gr8 track
Love this song. Kicks Eric Prydz version anyday. Love it.
Thinking about a lover who left you a long time ago. Wishing they'd come back, wondering where they are, and reminescing about the good times you shared...
bitchin song.....
well, you know, for winwood.....
@T_D_Phoenix Everyone does some poor stuff, but I'm not aware of him doing any bad ones. Or even mediocre.
@T_D_Phoenix Everyone does some poor stuff, but I'm not aware of him doing any bad ones. Or even mediocre.
Yes, but what's it mean?
@Ultimate Panopticon About a singer (female) who is a drug addict and destroying herself and he wants to help but knows she doesn't believe she needs to be helped but she does
@Ultimate Panopticon About a singer (female) who is a drug addict and destroying herself and he wants to help but knows she doesn't believe she needs to be helped but she does
Valerie Carter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Carter
She was a muse to both Winwood and Jackson Brown. Love reigns supreme once again ;)
"I can't help remember just where she touched me"
Huh? What? Don't get me wrong, I REALLY want to believe it's a good song, but...
@Ultimate Panopticon It IS a great song. No "if" about it. Much copied
@Ultimate Panopticon It IS a great song. No "if" about it. Much copied