Johnny Winter, along with his brother Edgar Winter, were nurtured at an early age by their parents in musical pursuits. Both he and his brother, who were born with albinism, began performing at an early age. When he was ten-years old, Winter appeared on a local children's show, playing ukelele and singing Everly Brothers songs with his brother.
His recording career began at the age of fifteen, when his band Johnny and the Jammers released "School Day Blues" on a Houston record label. During this same period, he was able to see performances by classic blues artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Bobby Bland. In the early days Winter would sometimes sit in with Roy Head and The Traits when they performed in the Beaumont, Texas area, and in 1967, Winter recorded a single with The Traits: "Tramp" backed with "Parchman Farm" (Universal Records 30496). In 1968, he released his first album The Progressive Blues Experiment, on Austin's Sonobeat Records.
Winter caught his biggest break in December 1968, when Mike Bloomfield, whom he met and jammed with in Chicago, invited him to sing and play a song during a Bloomfield and Al Kooper concert at the Fillmore East in New York. As it happened, representatives of Columbia Records (which had released the Top Ten Bloomfield/Kooper Super Session album) were at the concert. Winter played and sang B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault" to loud applause and, within a few days, was signed to reportedly what was then the largest advance in the history of the recording industry–$600,000.
Winter's first Columbia album, Johnny Winter was recorded and released in 1969. It featured the same backing musicians with whom he recorded The Progressive Blues Experiment, bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner, plus Edgar Winter on keyboards and saxophone, and (for his "Mean Mistreater") blues legends Willie Dixon on upright bass and Big Walter Horton on harmonica. The album featured a few selections that became Winter signature songs, including his composition "Dallas" (an acoustic blues, on which Winter played a steel-bodied, resonator guitar), John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson's "Good Morning Little School Girl", and B.B. King's "Be Careful With A Fool".
The album's success coincided with Imperial Records picking up The Progressive Blues Experiment for wider release. The same year, the Winter trio toured and performed at several rock festivals, including Woodstock. With brother Edgar added as a full member of the group, Winter also recorded his second album, Second Winter in Nashville in 1969. The two-record album, which only had three recorded sides (the fourth was blank), introduced a couple more staples of Winter's concerts, including Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited".
In 1984, Winter began recording for several labels, including Alligator Records and Point Blank Records, where he has focused on blues-oriented material. He continues to perform live, including festivals throughout North America and Europe. Winter has headlined such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Swedish Rock Fest, Warren Haynes X-mas jam, and Europe’s Rockpalast. He also performed with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on the 40th anniversary of their debut. In 2007 and 2010, Winter performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals. Two guitar instructional DVDs have been produced by Cherry Lane Music and the Hal Leonard Corporation. The Gibson Guitar Company released the signature Johnny Winter Firebird guitar in a ceremony in Nashville with Slash presenting.
In 2004, Winter received a Grammy nomination for his I’m a Bluesman album. Backing him are guitarist Paul Nelson, bassist Scott Spray, and drummer Vito Liuzzi. Beginning in 2007, a series of live Winter albums titled the Live Bootleg Series and a live DVD have all entered the Top 10 Billboard Blues charts. In 2009, The Woodstock Experience album was released, which includes eight songs that Winter performed at the 1969 festival. Johnny Winter is signed to Megaforce Records, who will release a new studio album titled Roots on September 27, 2011. It will include Winter's interpretation of eleven early blues and rock 'n' roll classics and feature several guest artists.
Winter produced three Grammy Award-winning albums by Muddy Waters, Hard Again (1977), I'm Ready (1978), and Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979). Several Winter albums were also nominated for Grammy Awards. In 1980, Winter was on the cover of the first issue of Guitar World and in 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
One Step Forward
Johnny Winter Lyrics
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It's unlucky, find myself, center stage
When I think I'm on the right track
I take one step forward and two steps back
Every time I try to get ahead
There's lots a people that are being mislead
That is why what I'm wearing is black
I can't seem to find it, can't even see the trees
Am I hard pressed in the knees?
I struggle for this one, reach out for that
I take one step forward and two steps back
One step forward and two steps back
I take one step forward and two steps back, yeah
In Johnny Winter's song "One Step Forward," the singer is expressing their frustration at the lack of progress they seem to make despite their efforts. The singer wants to get a break and get ahead, but every time they try, they find themselves in the center stage of unlucky situations. The use of the phrase "center stage" further emphasizes the feeling that they are always in the spotlight, even when they don't want to be. The singer feels like they're on the right track, but for every step forward, they take two steps back, which is a metaphor for the feeling of stagnation that can come with trying to get ahead in life.
The singer also notes the presence of people who are being misled, which adds to the sense that the singer is surrounded by negativity and obstacles. The line "That is why what I'm wearing is black" emphasizes the singer's sense of darkness and hopelessness. They feel like they can't even see the trees, which is a metaphor for feeling lost and disoriented. Despite their struggles, the singer keeps pushing forward, reaching out for opportunities, but still feels like they're only taking one step forward for every two steps back.
Overall, the lyrics of "One Step Forward" convey a sense of frustration and hopelessness that many people can relate to. The use of vivid metaphors and imagery adds to the emotional impact of the song and makes it a powerful statement about the challenges of trying to make progress in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I try to get a break
Whenever I attempt to catch a lucky break
It's unlucky, find myself, center stage
I end up being the unfortunate center of attention
When I think I'm on the right track
Just when I believe I'm making progress
I take one step forward and two steps back
I encounter setbacks that undo any progress I've made
Every time I try to get ahead
Whenever I strive to accomplish something significant
There's lots a people that are being mislead
Many individuals are deceived or misguided
That is why what I'm wearing is black
Black clothing is my attire because of this troubling situation
I take one step forward and two steps back
Once again I encounter difficulties that slow or reverse my progress
I can't seem to find it, can't even see the trees
I am incapable of locating what I seek or even perceiving my surroundings
Am I hard pressed in the knees?
Is my resolve and endurance being tested?
I struggle for this one, reach out for that
I strive to achieve one goal after another
I take one step forward and two steps back
Unfortunately I face barriers and setbacks that nullify any progress
One step forward and two steps back
I am unable to make consistent progress
I take one step forward and two steps back, yeah
Unfortunately this pattern of progress and setbacks continues
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JON PARIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind