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Monday, January 12, 2015

"Still In the Game" by Steve Winwood

Song#:  1134
Date:  08/07/1982
Debut:  81
Peak:  47
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  Winwood's second LP, "Arc of a Diver," was a platinum success that reached #3 on the album chart thanks to the #7 hit "While You See a Chance." Unfortunately, his follow-up album "Talking Back to the Night" didn't fare as well. This first single couldn't make a Top 40 showing and subsequent singles failed as well. The album petered out at #28 and failed to even reach gold status. Luckily, it would just be a bump in the road for Winwood and he would come roaring back after a four-year break with his most successful album.

ReduxReview:  As he did with "Arc of a Diver," Winwood takes control and basically records the album all on his own. This time the results were not as good and it seemed to be an effort to replicate the previous album. There were some bright spots, but overall it just didn't move his music forward. This song is pretty good but it just doesn't reach the same giddy pop of "While You See a Chance." If the production was beefed up, it might have been better. As-is, it almost sounds like a demo version rather than the real deal. Sometimes recording/playing everything yourself isn't the best idea. Overall, the song was just not strong enough to make an impact.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  In 1983, Winwood co-wrote several songs for an album by Will Powers. Powers was a pseudonym used by celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith. She created a kind of concept/comedy album based on self-help gurus and programs. As Will Powers, Goldsmith both sang and did spoke word passages throughout the album (with her voice modulated to mimic a man) about the Will Powers method of self-help. In addition to Winwood, several major artists contributed to the album included Todd Rundgren, Sting, Nile Rodgers, and Carly Simon, who did uncredited lead vocals on the single "Kissing in Confidence" (#17 UK).

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