Winchester was born in Bossier City, Louisiana, his father being stationed at Barksdale Field. He was raised both in the country (on farms owned by his parents) and in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, graduating in 1966. After touring Germany and upon receiving his draft notice in 1967, Winchester relocated to Montreal, Quebec. He became a Canadian citizen in 1973, and married his first wife Leslie. After many years in Montreal and after his divorce, he established his personal studio at Saint Georges de Beauce, Quebec, and resided there for some years before moving back to Memphis in 2002. Married to his wife Cindy, he lately resided in Charlottesville, Virginia. Winchester had three children from his first marriage, Alice Evangeline, James Ridout and Marcus Lee.
After playing with the Astronautes in Quebec, and while appearing as a solo performer in coffee houses throughout eastern Canada, he was introduced to Robbie Robertson (then of The Band ) and Albert Grossman (then manager of Bob Dylan). Winchester made his first album, the acclaimed "Jesse Winchester" (which included his classic 'Yankee Lady,' 'Brand New Tennessee Waltz,' and 'Biloxi') with Grossman as his manager and Robertson as producer, which was released on the Bearsville label. He subsequently toured in Canada as an opening act for The Band. Jesse went on his own road tour of Canada in 1973-74 along with drummer Butch McDade of the subsequently formed Amazing Rhythm Aces. He has completed tours of both Australia and Europe as a performing musician.
Winchester recorded sporadically on several labels since 1970. Unable to tour in the U.S. until the 1977 Carter amnesty, he subsequently became best known for his excellent songwriting, despite being an equally accomplished singer and guitar and Keyboard player.
Commonly referred to as 'legendary', and acknowledged as one of the premier tunesmiths of the late twentieth century, his songs include "Yankee Lady", "Rhumba Man", "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz", "Mississippi, You're on My Mind", "Defying Gravity", "Freewheeler" and "Biloxi." They have been recorded by numerous artists including Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia, Jerry Jeff Walker, Wilson Pickett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Reba McEntire, David Ball (country music), Bonnie Raitt, Everly Brothers and Brewer & Shipley but his self professed favorite rendition of any song covered is that of Ed Bruce in his rendition of "Evil Angel".
Winchester's song "Step by Step" from Let the Rough Side Drag was used in the final episode of HBO's 'The Wire's first season.
While there was grace and gentle humor in Winchester's writing, his body of work also reveals an undercurrent of darker forces. His vantage point is often that of the outsider, longing for the South, restless, and willing to betray those he loves for the freedom of the road. The protagonist in Yankee Lady callously abandons the woman who takes him in, just as the singer in Freewheeler warns that he "would ride rough-shod over lovers...time and time again." Temptation and the eternal struggle between good and evil converge in Evil Angel, "first you start 'em with a little...'til they just can't get enough."
Winchester studied German and philosophy as a young man, and his introspective nature was disclosed by his many references to life's essential dualism: "if you know you're weak...that's what makes you strong"(That's What makes You Strong); "if I were free...I'd run and lock myself away with you"(If I Were Free); "but one day the high must lay low" (Defying Gravity).
As a consequence of sporadic album releases, there was a high demand for his work leading to multiple releases of unauthorized recordings. Like many other artists, Winchester took a strong stance against the release of so called Bootlegs and actively urged his listeners to support only the "Original thing".
Winchester’s final CD, "A Reasonable Amount of Trouble", was released in September 2014, with liner notes by his friend Jimmy Buffett. The album was nominated for two Grammy awards.
Say What
Jesse Winchester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say what a watcha say
Hey girl say hey
Say what
The latest new is somewhat depressing
The latest figures are a li'l bit distressing
So what you say can we let it slide for a day darlin'
I get the word from Arthur my broker
He says "sell it all son and stick to poker"
So what you say if we let it slide for a day darlin'
What you say
What's the big rush
What's the big hurry
We've all the time in the world for the worry
We'll tell the world that we'll meet em on Sunday
Then we don't show up until Monday, alright
I don't sweat it that much as a rule
But lately it's been rough keeping cool
So hey what you say if we let it slide for a day darlin'
What you say
The daily grind is getting me frantic
'Cause I see myself as a laid-back romantic
So hey what you say if we let it slide for a day girl
Oh what you say
In Jesse Winchester's song "Say What," the chorus repeats a single phrase: "Hey girl say hey, say what a watcha say." The repetition of this phrase invites the listener to let go of their worries and engage with the present moment. The first verse sets up the scenario of the news being depressing and the figures distressing. Instead of dwelling on these negative thoughts, the chorus suggests that the listener should let it slide for a day and enjoy the present moment.
In the second verse, Winchester brings in a character named Arthur, who advises "sell it all son and stick to poker." This line adds humor to the song and elevates the idea of living in the moment beyond simply ignoring one's problems. By selling everything and sticking to poker, the character Arthur is suggesting that the listener should let go of their earthly possessions and focus on the joy of the moment.
The bridge of the song reinforces this message, saying, "What's the big rush, what's the big hurry? We've all the time in the world for the worry." The singer and his companion will tell the world they'll meet them on Sunday, but they won't show up until Monday. This reinforces the suggestion to live in the moment, set aside worries about deadlines, and simply enjoy the present.
Overall, the message in "Say What" is that the listener should take a break from their worries and enjoy the present moment. It suggests that living in the moment can be an act of rebellion against the stress and pressures of modern life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey girl say hey
Addressing the girl to get her attention
Say what a watcha say
Requesting the girl to tell him what she wants to say
Hey girl say hey
Repeating himself to grab her attention again
Say what
Asking her to repeat what she said
The latest news is somewhat depressing
Talking about how the most recent news is not very positive
The latest figures are a li'l bit distressing
Talking about how the most recent data is causing some stress
So what you say can we let it slide for a day darlin'
Asking the girl if they can afford to forget the worries for a day
What you say
Repeating himself to ensure that he has heard her clearly
I get the word from Arthur my broker
Suggesting that he has received some advice from his broker named Arthur
He says "sell it all son and stick to poker"
Quoting his broker's advice to sell everything and focus on playing poker
So what you say if we let it slide for a day darlin'
Asking the girl if they can take a break from the daily grind
What you say
Repeating himself to ensure that he has heard her clearly
What's the big rush
Questioning why everything needs to happen so quickly
What's the big hurry
Asking again why everything is so urgent
We've all the time in the world for the worry
Suggesting that there's plenty of time to worry in the future
We'll tell the world that we'll meet em on Sunday
Talking about how they've made plans to meet others on a specific day of the week
Then we don't show up until Monday, alright
Admitting that sometimes they don't always stick to their plans
I don't sweat it that much as a rule
Not worrying too much is usually his approach
But lately it's been rough keeping cool
Admitting that recently it's been harder to stay calm
So hey what you say if we let it slide for a day darlin'
Asking the girl once again if they can afford to forget the worries for a day
What you say
Repeating himself to ensure that he has heard her clearly
The daily grind is getting me frantic
Expressing how the routine is causing some distress
'Cause I see myself as a laid-back romantic
Describing himself as someone who is usually relaxed and carefree
So hey what you say if we let it slide for a day girl
Asking the girl again if they can take a break from the usual routine
Oh what you say
Repeating himself to ensure that he has heard her clearly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE WINCHESTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Mullins
LOVED this song back in the early 80s when I was in high school. Still sounds just as good in 2020.
Dave Micklon
Early 80s pop RULES. Very McCartney-esque tune.
Don Cag
Such fine music!
Michael Warren
I remember the summer of 1981 listening to this song
D
This is why I'm looking through 80's Canadian music charts. I was a little kid, but totally forgot this existed. I think Canadian band Magic owes a bit for it's hit "Rude" to thiis. Thanks for posting!
Marshall Lancaster
Pop stations of my youth seemed to embrace this song briefly. It is smooth. It should have been bigger.
Erma Shaw
I really enjoyed working with Jess2 Winchester he. Was hell of a songwriter
Sergio Rivera
Jesse Winchester
"Say What"
#32, 1981.
Colin Sanders
entered Billboard April 25, 1981..reached #32
Jim B.
"SAY 'WHAT' AGAIN!"