Adopted by missionaries and raised in Kobe, Japan, on moving back to the United States McIlwaine bought a guitar, beginning a stage career in Atlanta, Georgia in the mid-1960s. In 1966, she had a stint in New York City's Greenwich Village where she opened every night at the Cafe Au Go Go, playing with Jimi Hendrix, and opening for Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and Big Joe Williams. She returned to Atlanta to form the band Fear Itself, a psychedelic blues rock band.
After recording one album with Fear Itself, McIlwaine went solo, recording two albums for Polydor, Honky Tonk Angel (1972) and We the People (1973), the latter featuring a hit single, "I Don't Want to Play". Those albums, and most of her work since, have featured McIlwaine's approach to acoustic slide guitar. This was followed by The Real Ellen McIlwaine, recorded for the indepdendent Canadian label Kot'ai, which featured two of her 'signature' songs, her slide guitar version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" and "The Secret In This Lady's Heart".
By the mid-1970s McIlwaine's songs "Sliding", "We the People" and "Losing You" were included on the compilation album, The Guitar Album.
McIlwaine's album The Real Ellen McIlwaine, was recorded in Montreal in 1975 for the Kotai label, and included the Stevie Wonder song 'Higher Ground'. Her intro later appeared on the David Holmes Essential Collection. A 1982 project, Everybody Needs It won the NAIRD Indie Award, and featured Jack Bruce.
After moving to Canada in 1987, (first Toronto, later Alberta), McIlwaine recorded Looking for Trouble for Stony Plain Records, which also re-released her early vinyl material on CD. Her next CD Women in (e)motion Festival/Ellen McIlwaine, was recorded live in Germany in 1999; and then Spontaneous Combustion featuring Taj Mahal on the German Tradition und Moderne label.
In 2006 she started her own label, Ellen McIlwaine Music, and released Mystic Bridge featuring the Indian tabla drummer Cassius Khan. They were joined by the soprano saxophone of Linsey Wellman on three tracks.
In 2008, 2009, and 2010 she toured with Patty Larkin's La Guitara ensemble in the US, and in Canada with Sue Foley's Guitar Women, and appeared at various US and Canadian venues and festivals as a solo artist. In 2013 she traveled to Los Angeles to be part of the Jimi Hendrix documentary Hear My Train A Comin. In 2019, McIlwaine was awarded Toronto Blues Society's "Blues with a Feeling" Lifetime Achievement Award.
As a female vocalist who mainly played acoustic guitar, her music tended to be classified in the folk sections of record stores, despite her strong roots in blues, soul and rock music and her cover versions of songs by artists such as Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder and Browning Bryant. She recorded several covers of songs by Jimi Hendrix and "The Secret of This Lady's Heart", one of her most popular original songs, was written as a tribute to him.
Higher Ground
Ellen McIlwaine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep on learnin'
Soldiers
Keep on warrin'
World,
Keep on turnin'
Cause it wont be too long.
Powers
While your people
Keep on dyin
World,
Keep on turnin'
Cause it wont be too long.
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again,
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin.
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then.
Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach the highest ground.
Teachers,
Keep on teachin'
Preachers,
Keep on preachin'
World, keep on turnin'
Cause it wont be too long.
Oh, no
Lovers,
Keep on lovin'
While believers
Keep on believin'
Sleepers,
Just stop sleepin'
Cause it wont be too long.
Oh, no!
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again,
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin.
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then.
Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach the highest ground.
An Stevie knows that, uh, nobody's gonna bring me down.
Till I reach the highest ground.
'Cause me n Stevie, see, were gonna be a sailin'
On the funky sound
Till I reach the highest ground.
Bustin' out, an I'll break you out, cause I'm
Sailin' on.
Till I reach the highest ground
Just, uh, sailin' on sailin' on the higher ground
Till I reach the highest ground
Ellen McIlwaine's song "Higher Ground" is a call for people to keep moving forward, to keep striving until they reach their goals. The lyrics suggest that the world is constantly turning and changing, but that people should stay committed to learning, teaching, loving, and believing, even in the face of war, lies, and death. The repeated phrase "it won't be too long" serves as a reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of our time here.
The song also contains a personal element, with the singer acknowledging that she has made mistakes in the past ("lived a whole world of sin"), but that she is grateful for the chance to try again and do better. The reference to Stevie Wonder suggests that the two artists are united in their commitment to music and social justice, and that they will keep pushing forward together.
Overall, "Higher Ground" is a powerful anthem of hope and perseverance, urging listeners to keep striving until they reach their own "highest ground."
Line by Line Meaning
People
Keep on learnin'
It is important to keep learning and growing as individuals.
Soldiers
Keep on warrin'
There will always be conflict and war, but it is important to remember that it won't last forever.
World,
Keep on turnin'
Cause it wont be too long.
The world keeps moving forward, and even though there may be hardships, they will eventually pass.
Powers
Keep on lyin'
While your people
Keep on dyin
Those in power may be deceitful, but it is the duty of the people to keep fighting for change, even in the face of oppression and violence.
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again,
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin.
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then.
Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach the highest ground.
The artist has made mistakes in the past, but is grateful for the opportunity to learn from them and keep working towards self-improvement.
Teachers,
Keep on teachin'
Preachers,
Keep on preachin'
World, keep on turnin'
Cause it wont be too long.
Education and spirituality are important in staying motivated and positive despite the hardships of the world.
Lovers,
Keep on lovin'
While believers
Keep on believin'
Sleepers,
Just stop sleepin'
Cause it wont be too long.
Oh, no!
Love and faith can provide comfort and strength in difficult times, and it is important to stay alert and aware of what is going on in the world.
An Stevie knows that, uh, nobody's gonna bring me down.
Till I reach the highest ground.
'Cause me n Stevie, see, we're gonna be a sailin'
On the funky sound
Till I reach the highest ground.
Bustin' out, an I'll break you out, cause I'm
Sailin' on.
Till I reach the highest ground
Just, uh, sailin' on sailin' on the higher ground
Till I reach the highest ground
The artist has found strength and inspiration through music, and will continue to push themselves to reach their goals and overcome obstacles until they reach their own personal highest ground.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Brown
Since about 1969 I was mostly in Awe of Ellen's tallent. I put this Youtube up over 11 years ago, with Elens consent and I believe it's the most watched of all her youtubes. I find it endlessly amazing no matter how many times I've heard it. She did an even more amazing cover of Stevie's "Boggie On Raggae Woman" It was an evolutionfor "Higher Ground" heading in that direction---she never recorded it.
I had seen her frequently in Toronto and we became friends. Then about 5 years ago I took some slide instruction from her. In the last 3 years, despite the fact that she, an america has lived in Canada 40 years while I, Canadian have lived Stateside most of those years--NYC for the last 25--Ellen and I became Such good friends. We talked and texted every single day, often several times. I was somewhat surprised that this powerful dynamic performer was such a kind gentle feminine person. Maybe even surprised at how drawn I was to that--as a gay man. I had always been in Awe of her, Ellen the Powerful and then just fell in love with her, Ellen the Amazing person.
There was absolutely no heads-up here. May 5th she told me about a couple ofs symptom she had just noticed. I said "best have you GP look into those. 2 days later she had just months,maybe weeks left. She showed me copies of her medical reports and I knew immediately, before she did. I just stepped into a nightmare that could NOT be real. Now I just feel like the bottom has fallen out of my life.
For my birthday last February Ellen sent me this Star-making stormy or pieceful night effect thing that plays off my NYC 109YO, 11ft hight plaster ceiling. I just love this thing and that Ellen took the trouble to send it from Calgary was just typical of how thoughtful and giving she was. I miss you Ellen. You will always be my Star and absolutely a musical Genius.
Eleven years ago I said, "𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗜𝗹𝘄𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 --𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹. That is just as true today as it was then.
Paul Brown
This is, I believe, the most listened to of all of Ellen's YouTubes. I put it up 10 or 12 years ago with her permission.
Absolutely the Red Hot Chilly Peppers snatched their take on Higher Ground from Ellen whose version WAY proceeded theirs.
Certainly this was not a one off recording. Ellen basically played every instrument bringing something absolutely unique--unique to herself. Listen to her Piano on Blueberry Hill, and her Harmonica on ;"Let's go down to the Ocean--and ALL her vocals. It's always there.
i Spent a 40 year friendship trying to figure out how she did what she did--and I sort of did--but I could NEVER duplicate or approach it.
I'll precis by saying her technique was an unlikely blend of Formal (as formal as she got) Flamenco Guitar strumming (with the stop strings at at speed of sound perfected) combined with an absolute BASS Playing technique--two finger attack, Slap Pop everything-She could and did play Bass--while sliding!
The Bridge on her acoustic Guild was completely customized so that she got the closest to perfect intonation with the relative high slid action--The strings don't attach in a straight line-every one is given it's own private home-and she got damn close to PERFECT intonation.
With most slide players you would never know but Ellen's slide WAS that clean!
Higher Ground DOES stand out in a way. She completely captures the Essene of Stevie Wonders unquiet Rhythm while not at all imitating how he plays. She hears an essence and she captures it.
For me her Higher Ground is ENDLESSLY fascinating and I've heard it 10,000 times. There are all kinds of things going on almost by themselves---the way her picks trail in her strum and create their own little percussion section. The harmonic overtones that she literally PULLS or rather SLAPS out the those strings.--and yeah they have a total free range of motion until with one flick of her palm she stops them all cold--on the beat. Listen closely and you hear all kind of subtle sound going on. One could NOT think through the process and create those sounds. It's just the alchemy se create by pouring ALL of herself into it. And range of sounds she gets from the Guild acoustic--it is AS amazing today as it was the day she recorded it.
Years later I heard her do an even more amazing rendition of "Bogie on Reggae Woman" She was in the Higher Ground mode--only further along. She never recorded it
This is detail that most people are not interested in and so maybe many don't realize they are hearing a musical genius --She like Mozart writing a concerto with NO errors. They figure everything can be produced in a studio---but the people who have come here and commented--They get it.
Kerwood Spruce
When was the last time Jimi H was called a male guitarist?! Ellen McIlwaine gave so much to us all while on the planet, including showing us that there is no need or reason to preface one of the world's best guitarists ever...with female. She was great. Period. Rest well and in eternal creative vibration, dear Spirit. Thank you for all of it and for all of you.
Blair Tullis
The best version of Higher Ground ever made. What a player.
John Shirley
RIP Ellen McIlwaine, a great talent and pioneer for women guitarists.
Paul Brown
Since about 1969 I was mostly in Awe of Ellen's tallent. I put this Youtube up over 11 years ago, with Elens consent and I believe it's the most watched of all her youtubes. I find it endlessly amazing no matter how many times I've heard it. She did an even more amazing cover of Stevie's "Boggie On Raggae Woman" It was an evolutionfor "Higher Ground" heading in that direction---she never recorded it.
I had seen her frequently in Toronto and we became friends. Then about 5 years ago I took some slide instruction from her. In the last 3 years, despite the fact that she, an america has lived in Canada 40 years while I, Canadian have lived Stateside most of those years--NYC for the last 25--Ellen and I became Such good friends. We talked and texted every single day, often several times. I was somewhat surprised that this powerful dynamic performer was such a kind gentle feminine person. Maybe even surprised at how drawn I was to that--as a gay man. I had always been in Awe of her, Ellen the Powerful and then just fell in love with her, Ellen the Amazing person.
There was absolutely no heads-up here. May 5th she told me about a couple ofs symptom she had just noticed. I said "best have you GP look into those. 2 days later she had just months,maybe weeks left. She showed me copies of her medical reports and I knew immediately, before she did. I just stepped into a nightmare that could NOT be real. Now I just feel like the bottom has fallen out of my life.
For my birthday last February Ellen sent me this Star-making stormy or pieceful night effect thing that plays off my NYC 109YO, 11ft hight plaster ceiling. I just love this thing and that Ellen took the trouble to send it from Calgary was just typical of how thoughtful and giving she was. I miss you Ellen. You will always be my Star and absolutely a musical Genius.
Eleven years ago I said, "𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗜𝗹𝘄𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 --𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹. That is just as true today as it was then.
Marco Romano
Great cover that I heard many years ago! RIP
hahni
I picked up "The Real Ellen McIlwaine" at the local headshop in 1974 or so. This remains my favorite version of "Higher Ground"--and just imagine Ms McIlwaine's voice and that slide guitar in the early 70s! Women did NOT play like that, especially on the radio! Hearing her was a revelation and a revolution.
Nancy
I saw her in a small club in Old Montreal way back in 1973. First time I saw someone play a slide guitar. Her powerful voice and energy filled the room. Wow! RIP Ellen
Darryl Rhoades
I use to hear her around 1967-68 at a place called the Catacombs in Atlanta and she put out a 45 of In My time of Dying/Grizzly Bear. I still have it in great condition. She was great then and continued to get better.
Zork Work
I have loved Ellen since the early 70's...Great voice..really good guitar playing..so much hutzzpa!!!!
Timeless
MzIsis1111
I have at least 2 copies of Ellen's "Fear Itself" album, along with everything she has released. Been a major fan since 1st I heard her on the 2 LP The Guitar Album !