Back in the High Life Again

This article is about the song. For the album, see Back in the High Life.

"Back in the High Life Again" is a song with music by the English artist Steve Winwood and lyrics by the American songwriter Will Jennings. It was performed by Winwood, and included backing vocals by James Taylor and a prominent mandolin played by Winwood. The song was released in November 1986 as the fifth single from his fourth studio album Back in the High Life. The song was Winwood's second number-one single on the US Adult Contemporary chart, where it stayed for three weeks. It also reached number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in August 1987.^[3] It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1988.

"Back in the High Life Again"
Cover art for UK and non-US editions
Single by Steve Winwood
from the album Back in the High Life
B-side	"Night Train (instrumental)"
Released	22 November 1986[1]
Recorded	Autumn 1985
Studio	Unique Recording Studio, New York
Genre	Soul[2]
Length	5:35 (Album Version) 4:20 (Single Version)
Label	Island – IS 303
Songwriter(s)	Steve Winwood Will Jennings
Producer(s)	Russ Titelman
Steve Winwood singles chronology
"Freedom Overspill" (1986) "Back in the High Life Again" (1986) "The Finer Things" (1987)
Audio
"Back in the High Life Again" on YouTube

The music video for the song was published in 1986 and features scenes from Manassas, Virginia, particularly the train station. ^[4]

Track listing

7-inch: Island / IS 303 United Kingdom

1. "Back in the High Life Again" - 4:20
2. "Help Me Angel" - 5:06

7-inch: Island / 7-28472 United States

1. "Back in the High Life Again" - 4:09
2. "Night Train" (Instrumental) - 4:10

12-inch: Island / 12 IS 303 United Kingdom

1. "Back in the High Life Again" - 4:20
2. "Night Train" (Instrumental) - 4:08
3. "Help Me Angel" - 5:06

12-inch: Island / PRO-A-2620 United States

1. "Back in the High Life Again" - 4:20
2. "Back in the High Life Again" - 5:33

Personnel

• Steve Winwood – lead vocals, synth piano, synthesizer, drum machine programming, mandolin, Moog bass
• Jimmy Bralower – additional drum machine programming^[5]
• Rob Mounsey – additional synthesizer
• John Robinson – drums
• James Taylor – harmony vocals

Chart history

Weekly charts Chart (1987) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 87 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 18 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[8] 24 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] 45 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[10] 3 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 61 UK Singles (OCC)[12] 53 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 13 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[14] 1 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[15] 19 US Cash Box Top 100 13

Year-end charts Chart (1987) Rank US Billboard Adult Contemporary[16] 11 US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[17] 124