Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
Your Saving Grace
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I sail from season's four
To join some crazy ladies
In a game upon the shore
None of them with broken wings
But still refuse to fly
So with sweetness on my lips
I smile a last goodbye
And now I spend my life
On the velvet side of hell
Aimlessly here searching
For what I cannot tell
The quietness is terrible
It's more than I can stand
But thousands now stand cheering
As my blood flows in the sand
Spoken: You're not the child
You thought you were
You wake up in the night
And know you're blind
And yet they keep on pushing
Trying the insides of your mind
Forever, forever arresting to control
Until the emptiness of heaven welcomes your weary soul
Rise up with the new dawn's early morning
Feel the sunshine warm upon your face
Tomorrow's come a long, long way to help you
Yes, it's your saving grace
Every day, every way
Tomorrow, it's your saving grace
Well, now got no time to worry
Cause I've got no time to hurry
Baby, it's your saving grace
Now don't you lay those blames on me
Don't you play those games on me
Cause baby it's your saving grace
You got to need a little lovin'
Now baby it's your saving grace
Hey, I feel alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Your saving grace
Ah, hey, hey, hey
Your saving grace
La la la la la la la la....
Oh baby, it's your saving grace
The song "Your Saving Grace" by Steve Miller Band explores the idea of living life on the edge, taking risks and going against societal norms. The lyrics explicitly describe a protagonist leaving behind monotony and joining some "crazy ladies" in a game on the shore. The group of women are reluctant to fly, yet they have no broken wings, which could imply that they have the ability but lack the courage to step out of their comfort zones. The singer is bidding them goodbye, perhaps aware of their hesitancy to take risks.
The next verse alludes to the Velvet Revolution, which refers to a peaceful political revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place in 1989. The singer describes being trapped in a state of aimlessness and struggling with the silence. At the same time, he is aware of the crowd of people who are cheering for him as his blood flows in the sand. This could be a metaphor for being at a crossroads where one is unsure of what step to take, while the world either roots for them or criticizes them.
The song ends on a hopeful note, proposing a new dawn and saving grace for the listener. The singer tells the listener to rise up with the new dawn and feel the sunshine on their face. The saving grace that one needs could be love, support, or hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Winter's people watching
People are watching me as I leave the cold winter behind and sail towards a new season
As I sail from season's four
I am leaving behind the four seasons and transitioning to something new
To join some crazy ladies
I am going to join some fun-loving girls
In a game upon the shore
We are going to play games on the beach
None of them with broken wings
These girls are not damaged or broken in any way
But still refuse to fly
Despite being whole, they choose not to take risks or venture out of their comfort zone
So with sweetness on my lips
I say a fond goodbye to them with a smile on my face
I smile a last goodbye
I say farewell to the girls I leave behind
And now I spend my life
Currently, my life is dedicated to
On the velvet side of hell
living a luxurious life, but with some negative consequences
Aimlessly here searching
I am searching for something without any clear direction
For what I cannot tell
I do not know what it is that I am searching for
The quietness is terrible
The silence around me is dreadful
It's more than I can stand
It is unbearable for me to be surrounded by silence
But thousands now stand cheering
Although I am lost, many people still support me and cheer me on
As my blood flows in the sand
I am willing to fight and bleed for the cause I believe in
Spoken: You're not the child
You are not as innocent and naive as you once believed
You thought you were
You used to think of yourself as an innocent child
You wake up in the night
You wake up scared and uncertain in the middle of the night
And know you're blind
You realize that you are oblivious to something you should know
And yet they keep on pushing
Despite your blindness, people keep pushing you towards your goal
Trying the insides of your mind
They are testing your strength and resilience
Forever, forever arresting to control
It feels as though they are trying to control you forever
Until the emptiness of heaven welcomes your weary soul
Eventually, you are going to be welcomed by the emptiness and peace of heaven
Rise up with the new dawn's early morning
You should awaken with the new dawn to start anew
Feel the sunshine warm upon your face
Allow the sunshine to warm your face and soul
Tomorrow's come a long, long way to help you
A new tomorrow is coming far down the line to assist you
Yes, it's your saving grace
It is going to save you from your current situation
Every day, every way
Every day has a way
Tomorrow, it's your saving grace
Tomorrow will help you tremendously
Well, now got no time to worry
I do not have time to worry about the things I cannot control
Cause I've got no time to hurry
Because I have things to do and places to be
Baby, it's your saving grace
This is meant to save you from your troubles.
Now don't you lay those blames on me
Do not place the blame on me
Don't you play those games on me
Do not try any tricks on me
Cause baby it's your saving grace
Because this will save you from your situation
You got to need a little lovin'
You need some love
Now baby it's your saving grace
This is going to save you.
Hey, I feel alright
I am feeling alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, that is right
Your saving grace
This will save you from your problems
Ah, hey, hey, hey
Hey!
Your saving grace
This is your saving grace
La la la la la la la la....
Singing a nonsensical tune
Oh baby, it's your saving grace
This is your ticket out of your troubles
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TIM DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Forrest George
Winter's people watching
As I sail from season's four
To join some crazy ladies
In a game upon the shore
None of them with broken wings
But still refuse to fly
So with sweetness on my lips
I smile a last goodbye
And now I spend my life
On the velvet side of hell
Aimlessly here searching
For what I cannot tell
The quietness is terrible
It's more than I can stand
But thousands now stand cheering
As my blood flows in the sand
[Spoken:]
You're not the child
You thought you were
You wake up in the night
And know you're blind
And yet they keep on pushing
Trying the insides of your mind
Forever, forever arresting to control
Until the emptiness of heaven welcomes your weary soul
Rise up with the new dawn's early morning
Feel the sunshine warm upon your face
Tomorrow's come a long, long way to help you
Yes, it's your saving grace
Every day, every way
Tomorrow, it's your saving grace
Well, now got no time to worry
Cause I've got no time to hurry
Baby, it's your saving grace
Now don't you lay those blames on me
Don't you play those games on me
Cause baby it's your saving grace
You got to need a little lovin'
Now baby it's your saving grace
Hey, I feel alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Your saving grace
Ah, hey, hey, hey
Your saving grace
La la la la la la la la....
Oh baby, it's your saving grace
johnny zell
Winter's people watching
As I sail from season's four
To join some crazy ladies
In a game upon the shore
None of them with broken wings
But still refuse to fly
So with sweetness on my lips
I smile a last goodbye
And now I spend my life
On the velvet side of hell
Aimlessly here searching
For what I cannot tell
The quietness is terrible
It's more than I can stand
But thousands now stand cheering
As my blood flows in the sand
Spoken: You're not the child
You thought you were
You wake up in the night
And know you're blind
And yet they keep on pushing
Trying the insides of your mind
Forever, forever arresting to control
Until the emptiness of heaven welcomes your weary soul
Rise up with the new dawn's early morning
Feel the sunshine warm upon your face
Tomorrow's come a long, long way to help you
Yes, it's your saving grace
Every day, every way
Tomorrow, it's your saving grace
Well, now got no time to worry
Cause I've got no time to hurry
Baby, it's your saving grace
Now don't you lay those blames on me
Don't you play those games on me
Cause baby it's your saving grace
You got to need a little lovin'
Now baby it's your saving grace
Hey, I feel alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Your saving grace
Ah, hey, hey, hey
Your saving grace
La la la la la la la la....
Oh baby, it's your saving grace
Walter Early
Has been one of my favorite songs for about 48 years. I’ve listened to it thousands of times and counting. I’d kill to get my hands on a whole Tim Davis album if ever there were such a thing.
mellotronage
Late 60's Steve Miller is sooo much better than what we hear on the radio. So much so, Paul McCartney was willing to lend a hand on some tracks.
buckfan1969
You are so right. I know McCartney played piano on Kow Kow Calculator for sure. Loved his early stuff.
The Root Boy Cooks !
Rise up with the new dawn's early morning
Feel the sunshine warm upon your face
Tomorrow's come a long, long way to help you
Yes, it's your saving grace
Bill Lynch
Check out Allman Brothers soulshine
Forrest George
Winter's people watching
As I sail from season's four
To join some crazy ladies
In a game upon the shore
None of them with broken wings
But still refuse to fly
So with sweetness on my lips
I smile a last goodbye
And now I spend my life
On the velvet side of hell
Aimlessly here searching
For what I cannot tell
The quietness is terrible
It's more than I can stand
But thousands now stand cheering
As my blood flows in the sand
[Spoken:]
You're not the child
You thought you were
You wake up in the night
And know you're blind
And yet they keep on pushing
Trying the insides of your mind
Forever, forever arresting to control
Until the emptiness of heaven welcomes your weary soul
Rise up with the new dawn's early morning
Feel the sunshine warm upon your face
Tomorrow's come a long, long way to help you
Yes, it's your saving grace
Every day, every way
Tomorrow, it's your saving grace
Well, now got no time to worry
Cause I've got no time to hurry
Baby, it's your saving grace
Now don't you lay those blames on me
Don't you play those games on me
Cause baby it's your saving grace
You got to need a little lovin'
Now baby it's your saving grace
Hey, I feel alright
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Your saving grace
Ah, hey, hey, hey
Your saving grace
La la la la la la la la....
Oh baby, it's your saving grace
jack duane
hey pal , was a huge fan of your pops..still am !... listened to The Last Record Album hundreds if not a thousand times
Julee Rosa
In 1968 I lived in the same apt. building, Casa Madrona, in the Haight that Stevie, Tim, Boz and Lonnie lived at. My roommate had Lonnie's baby even... sigh. We went to every Bill Graham and Family Dog concert and were always on the guest list. Good thing since we had no money! Bill hated the concept of anything free but he was businessman enough to know that cute 19 year old girls were necessary for the benefit of all. lol We also went to every rehearsal of the band as well as many others - Buffalo Springfield, Big Brother, Quicksilver, Canned Heat, Blue Cheer. etc., etc. The Dead lived right behind us on Ashbury St. and later I lived in Bolinas, next door to Grace and Paul and their recording studios. There is no music like those days for sure. So much creativity and willingness to explore and break boundaries. Ad Bluesojourn says - those were the days! So grateful to have been there... and survived. Rock on.
Daniel Oconnell
Jubilee great memories I first heard this in 1974 did you ever here the great speckled bird Ian an Sylvia Tyson’s band.
W topper
there never was and there never will be another 20 years of music like there was from 1960 to 1980.