As teens Edgar and Johnny (who is three years older than Edgar) began performing together at local watering holes such as Tom's Fish Camp. The two played in R&B and blues groups; Johnny and the Jammers, The Crystaliers, and The Black Plague. By the time he was of college age Edgar had become competent on keyboards, bass, guitar and drums.
After recording with his brother, Clive Davis gave Edgar the green light to go solo, creating whatever he wanted. An unaclaimed, eclectic black vinyl called Entrance was released and so was the talent and magnetism of Edgar Winter.
Johnny's nimble fingers and fine-tuned hearing made up for poor eyesight, making him rich and respected....and making him famous first. Edgar would settle forever settle as Johnny's little brother...but his talent...and ability to recognize and attract talent, would keep Edgar continually evolving.
Edgar was signed to his own Epic Records contract in 1970 and recorded several albums, including Entrance and Edgar Winter's White Trash. In 1972 he formed The Edgar Winter Group which included Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff. It was with this band that he had his biggest successes: first with the 1973 album They Only Come Out at Night which featured the #1 hit instrumental "Frankenstein" which reached number one in the U.S. in May 1973 and the top 15 single "Free Ride;" which reached number 14 that same year, then the album Shock Treatment which featured the song "Easy Street".
Originally called the drum song in development, there was so much tape on the cutting room floor the song earned its name and Edgar's fame.
Edgar's wealth of talent, ironically included not playing instruments....but using his voice as one as well. Who won the Tabacco Road duel -- the guitar or Edgar? And yet, for the Albino outward appearance, Edgar Winter's inward ability left a mark on generations: "Why am Dying to Live If I'm Only Living to Die?"
The preponderance of vocals and songwriting by Hartman on Shock Treatment led to the release of Jasmine Nightdreams with all vocals by Winter. It was nominally a solo album, but it used the same personnel as the Edgar Winter Group. A full band album followed, the Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer, featuring songs and vocals by Derringer.
Success was waning, however, and Edgar teamed with brother Johnny for a live album of blues and early rock classics, including Harlem Shuffle (later a revival hit for the Rolling Stones). This album too performed below expectations, so the White Trash was reformed. They recorded Recycled, and toured as an opening act to support the album. The tour was cut short by a tragic plane crash, which killed some members of the tour's headliner, Lynyrd Skynyrd. This was followed by two solo albums, an attempt at literate disco on the Edgar Winter Album and a return to 1970s rock on Standing on Rock. Since then there have been more obscure solo albums and session work, namely with David Lee Roth on Crazy from the Heat in 1985, which included a cover version of the song "Easy Street".
With over 20 albums and many television and radio appearances both to promote his music—and to give his opinion on everything politically incorrect— Edgar Winter's music is solidly in the popular vein. Winter's 1970s albums are bluesier than his later albums, but there are blues tunes like "Big City Woman" on his 1990 album Not a Kid Anymore. In 2005, "Frankenstein" was featured in the PlayStation 2 music video game Guitar Hero.
In 2006, Winter joined Hamish Stuart, Rod Argent, Richard Marx, Billy Squier, and Sheila E touring with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
We All Had A Real Good Time
Edgar Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't remember how I got this way.
I don't recall what happened yesterday.
I don't remember what I did last night.
But I know I was feelin' all right.
And we all had a real good time.
And we all had a real good time.
I couldn't stop myself from feelin' fine.
[GUITAR SOLO]
Got so loud that I couldn't hear the phone.
In the nick a-time I called, no one was home.
The girl was rockin', so I crawled across the floor.
I tried to make it, but I couldn't find the chord.
So we all had a real good time.
Somebody told me I was out of my mind.
But we all had a real good time.
I couldn't stop myself from feelin' fine.
[GUITAR SOLO]
Here we are now, the time is right.
Feelin' good like I did last night.
I can tell, you're feelin' good too.
Come on with me, I wanna party with you.
And we all had a real good time.
Somebody told me I was out of my mind.
And we all had a real good time.
Don't try to stop yourself from feelin' fine.
And we all had a real good time.
[REPEAT TO FADE]
The lyrics of Edgar Winter's song We All Had a Real Good Time describe the aftermath of a night of hard partying. The singer doesn't remember how he got into the current state he's in or what happened yesterday, but he knows that he had a lot of fun. He describes the loud music, lost phone calls, and failed attempts to play music, but none of it seems to dim his good memories of the night.
The chorus of the song, "And we all had a real good time. Somebody told me I was out of my mind. And we all had a real good time. I couldn't stop myself from feelin' fine," encapsulates the attitude of the song. Despite any negative consequences that may have come from the night, the singer and his group of friends had an unforgettable time.
Overall, the lyrics of We All Had a Real Good Time are a celebration of the wild, carefree nights that can happen in your youth, and the way those memories can stick with you for a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't remember how I got this way.
I cannot recall how I ended up in this current state.
I don't recall what happened yesterday.
I have no memory of the events that occurred yesterday.
I don't remember what I did last night.
My recollection of the events from last night is vague.
But I know I was feelin' all right.
Despite the lack of memories, I am aware that I was in a good state of mind.
And we all had a real good time.
Everyone present experienced an enjoyable time together.
Somebody told me I was out of my mind.
An individual commented that I was not thinking clearly.
And we all had a real good time.
The group continued to have a positive experience.
I couldn't stop myself from feelin' fine.
My enjoyment was uncontrollable and persistent.
Got so loud that I couldn't hear the phone.
The volume level increased to the point of preventing me from noticing the ringing phone.
In the nick a-time I called, no one was home.
Once I realized the phone was ringing, I attempted to answer it, but nobody was available to receive the call.
The girl was rockin', so I crawled across the floor.
I noticed the girl was dancing energetically, and I attempted to join in by crawling on the floor.
I tried to make it, but I couldn't find the chord.
As I attempted to participate in the music, I struggled to find the appropriate chord on the instrument.
Here we are now, the time is right.
The present moment is opportune for our current activities.
Feelin' good like I did last night.
I am currently experiencing positive feelings like I did during the previous evening.
I can tell, you're feelin' good too.
From my observation, I can see that you are also in a positive state of mind.
Come on with me, I wanna party with you.
Please join me in celebrating and enjoying ourselves.
Don't try to stop yourself from feelin' fine.
Do not attempt to prevent yourself from experiencing enjoyment.
And we all had a real good time.
The enjoyable experience continued until the end.
[REPEAT TO FADE]
The final line is a repetition of the main message, intended to fade out the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN HARTMAN, EDGAR WINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind