"Higher Love" (A Literary-ish Interpretation) Fun Quick Read if you have the Time.
by David Brown on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 1:09am
Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above
Without it, life is a wasted time
Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine
Okay, clearly Steve Winwood understands that without "Higher Love" aka True Love, "life is wasted time" because in the grand scheme of things man means little to nothing. (Existential philosophy) Steve Winwood asks himself why man exists if he has no meaning so, after reflection he decides: “Think about it, there must be higher love, down in the heart or hidden in the stars above”. Living in a world that no longer recognizes God, Winwood states that: “Without it, life is a wasted time.” Urging all of his potential lovers out there to: “Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine”
Things look so bad everywhere. In this whole world, what is fair?
This line is clearly referring to the world turmoil that has plagued man since the beginning of time, but really hit the Western world during the WWI, WWII Great Depression Era, later to be followed by political turmoil during the Cold War Era and conflicts in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East. In some ways, this song indicates a hopefulness, and a message that one should not commit suicide over not finding meaning in life, or not having yet found “The One.”
“We walk blind and we try to see.” This is simply a line indicating that we have no idea where “Higher Love” is but we look for it anyway. When things do not go as planned we end up “Falling behind in what could be” thinking about missed opportunity or opportunities that we should take but won't.
Again, if higher love cannot be found, then it must be brought to us by some force:
“Bring me a higher love, Bring me a higher love, Bring me a higher love, Where's that higher love I keep thinking of?”
“Worlds are turning and we're just hanging on.” reflects the desperation in a Cold War world where we are never sure if we will see tomorrow or not. The world is being spun around and turned upside-down, and basically we are just along for the ride. Nothing we do will change how the world turns, so we must do something to find meaning. So we're “Facing our fear and standing out there alone.” Here, he refers to a fear of being alone, and the need to face it and accept it, knowing that “Higher Love” is out there somewhere. “A yearning, and it's real to me: There must be someone who's feeling for me” We see this need for “The One” with which many listeners can sympathize, and this feeling of loneliness and isolation experienced by the single people (and some married people) of the modern world.
“I could rise above on a higher love” This means that he could place himself above his fears, problems and possibly other human beings (maybe even entering Heaven depending on his religious certainty/uncertainty).
This part is fairly self-explanatory: “I will wait for it. I'm not too late for it. Until then, I'll sing my song To cheer the night along” It is basically telling people to be patient, and find a pleasant way to pass the time.
“I could light the night up with my soul on fire. I could make the sun shine from pure desire. Let me feel that love come over me. Let me feel how strong it could be” This is showing the magnificent feats that he feels he can accomplish once his life has meaning.
The main idea of this song is that a person should not get depressed because the feel lonely or have not found “True Love”. They should be patient, and find a pleasant way to bide the time. “Think about it, there must be higher love, Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above, Without it, life is a wasted time” ~ Steve Winwood
Interpretation of Lyrics by David Brown
