The Chicago-bred trio’s organic, hard-driving synthesis of gutsy hard rock,… Read Full Bio ↴The Chicago-bred trio’s organic, hard-driving synthesis of gutsy hard rock, gritty Delta blues, soulful backwoods boogie and down-home psychedelia has taken its hometown by storm. The frenzied power of the band's live shows has won them a fiercely loyal fan base, and their last CD Clava received substantial airplay across the Midwest.

The Steepwater Band (guitarist / vocalist Jeff Massey, bassist Tod Bowers and drummer Joseph Winters) have played together since their teens in various rock and blues combos. The three musicians united to form The Steepwater Band in 1998, taking the name from a barge Massey spotted in Lake Michigan.

The young trio quickly found their own voice, progressing from covering Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and John Lee Hooker songs to writing and performing their own compelling originals. From the beginning, The Steepwater Band has been a relentless performing unit, playing an average of 125 shows per year -- headlining such prestigious Chicago venues as the Metro and the Double Door -- while expanding their touring base throughout the Midwest and beyond.

The band made its European debut in 2005, performing at the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, and has shared bills with acts as diverse as Buddy Guy, Wilco, Cheap Trick, Umphrey’s McGee, and Deep Purple.

Revelation Sunday clearly draws the roadmap of The Steepwater Band’s musical drive and direction. The songs on the record range from straight-ahead roots-rockers like “Collision” and “Steel Sky,” to a composition of Indian flavor called “Dance Me A Number.” They even dabble in pop-sensibility on the infectiously catchy “Halo,” along with the beautifully melodic “A Lot Of Love Around.” Brand new and collectively written as a band, the song sequence on Revelation Sunday takes the listener on an aural trip through the band’s present, while offering a glimpse of what might be in store for their future.

The creative electricity and contagious energy of the band is equally evident in their live performances, as their shows have been well-received by critics and fans alike. It’s the unpretentious devotion to their music, and their commitment to achieving their musical goals without compromising the integrity of their musical vision, that makes The Steepwater Band such a refreshing discovery.

Bio taken directly from: http://www.steepwater.com/

High and Humble
The Steepwater Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you got someone who needs you
Don't ya ramble anymore
A helping hand to feed you
Don't ya walk outside the door
And you know you must be grateful
High and humble sittin'in the corner
With a smile on your face
Well th Devil got no home

Got no place to rest his head
And the pull of wanderlust
Leave ya lost without a friend
So you know you must be grateful
High and humble sittin'in the corner
With a smile on your face
Well I'm torn between the pages
And I'm on the road again
Yeah I'm a model for a dream
Oh the hypocrite in man
And you know you must be grateful
High and humble sittin'in the corner
With a smile on your face
Ooohh
High and humble
Ooohh
High and humble
Ooohh
High and humble
Ooohh
High and humble yeah
Ooohh
High and humble
Ooohh
High and humble
Ooohh
High and humble

Ooohh
High and humble

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Steepwater Band's song High and Humble remind the listener to appreciate what they have and not to take it for granted. The opening lines urge someone with a helping hand to not wander away but to cherish their company. The following lines advise the listener that they should be grateful for friends and companions and they should reciprocate the acts of kindness they've received. Sitting alone in a humble corner, the listener should smile and acknowledge the blessings in their life.

The last few lines of the song change the narrative, the singer notes that he is between pages and back on the road again. He admits that he is not perfect and is conflicted at times. He acknowledges that he is a model of a dream, but also a hypocrite. Despite his struggles, he knows he must remain grateful and humble because being such is the right way to be in life. The song speaks to the duality of human nature, how we can be grateful for what we have and yet still yearn for more. The message is that one must find a balance and learn to be content with what they have while still striving for their goals.

Line by Line Meaning

If you got someone who needs you
If you have someone in your life who depends on you for support and care

Don't ya ramble anymore
Don't wander aimlessly through life without purpose or direction

A helping hand to feed you
Someone to offer assistance and nourishment when you need it

Don't ya walk outside the door
Don't leave the safety and security of your home without a good reason

And you know you must be grateful
Recognize and appreciate the good things in your life

High and humble sittin'in the corner
Being content and modest, even in a quiet and unassuming corner

With a smile on your face
Maintaining a positive attitude and outlook

Well th Devil got no home
Evil and negativity have no place to thrive or exist

Got no place to rest his head
There is no comfort or solace for wickedness and wrongdoing

And the pull of wanderlust
The desire to explore and travel can lead to feeling lost and alone

Leave ya lost without a friend
Being adrift and alone without companionship or support

So you know you must be grateful
Being thankful for what you have, especially in difficult times

Well I'm torn between the pages
Feeling conflicted and uncertain about what path to take in life

And I'm on the road again
Traveling and exploring, but perhaps feeling aimless or lost

Yeah I'm a model for a dream
Trying to be an example for others and achieve a personal aspiration

Oh the hypocrite in man
The inconsistency and imperfection of human nature