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Traffic — Walking in the Wind
Album: When The Eagle Flies
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1998









Released: 1974
Length: 6:41
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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You walk and talk and move around in circles
Your friends telling you, you are doing fine
You can't see that snowball as it hurtles
Through the shattered membranes of your mind

If I could talk to you for just one minute
Then you would know what it is I am getting at
But there again your head's got nothing in it
By the way, you left without your hat

I'm walking in the wind
Looking at the sky
Hanging on a breeze
Wondering why, why?

Your old man's headed for the final pay-off
The joker you've got is fading too
All the sharks that come around for the rip-off
Are gonna tear the flesh right off you

The plastic princess hangs her head in wonder
At the silver glittered boys, trying, trying to compete
And all at once the room begins to thunder
And all that's left is the stain on the sheet

I'm walking in the wind
Looking at the sky
Hanging on a breeze
Wondering, why?

The prostitute is standing on the corner
Suffering so much pain to stay alive
She's so real that life itself bows down before her
She couldn't make that nine to five

The president is crying, crying in the White House
The prime minister's really got the blues
All the heads of state are busy playing cat and mouse
'Cause you can see none of them have ever paid their dues

I'm walking in the wind
Looking at the sky
Hanging on a breeze
And I'm wondering, why, why, why, why?
God knows why, why, why?
Comments (107)add comment
1980 (ish) and I was slowly drifting away from a dissolving circle of friends and acquaintances, soon to leave Houston and return to home to east Dallas. And this was playing on my turntable.
Posted 5 months ago by Elguapo    [ Reply ]
 islanduo wrote:

Gosh this makes me think of my cousin mike, why I don't know, just a feeling. He was my big brother. Love ya bro,




Cool story. Thank You for sharing it.  I hope he is up there, thinking of you too!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Peace_tode wrote:

One of my favorite Traffic songs. Classic Steve Winwood vocal and organ. Bass line carries this one.




I Agree completely!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
New one for me. Just brilliant.  I was blown away by Hole in my Shoe as a kid. Such a great band.
Posted 1 year ago by WilliDoc    [ Reply ]
 Pjesnik wrote:

Traffic Jam




Yes!!    Thanx RP!  
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:

That bass line ... so simple and yet what a groove! 




I Agree!!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
SUPERB!!  Thanx RP!   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Traffic songs. Classic Steve Winwood vocal and organ. Bass line carries this one.
Posted 2 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
Super good album.  So good I bought a new vinyl copy a few years back.
Darn near wore out my original one.   Great quality recording.  
Thanks for giving it a spin here in RP. 
-John
Posted 2 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
Gosh this makes me think of my cousin mike, why I don't know, just a feeling. He was my big brother. Love ya bro,
Posted 2 years ago by islanduo    [ Reply ]
RIP Jim Capaldi, he really laid down the beat on this one, I just love how great the drums sound throughout this track, and the Moog is great too.  This one is a 9.49 to me still; LLRP!!
Posted 2 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Music to dope smoke to, and kick back. 
Posted 2 years ago by igotitmade2k    [ Reply ]
One of the first bass lines I learned. Fun to play.

Btw what's up with that eagle in the cover? Seems he's about to pick up lunch.
Posted 3 years ago by master_betty    [ Reply ]
 WeAdmire wrote:

Gorgeous stuff.  There isn't a bad cut on the album.  For me the pick was Dream Gerrard.    



Good to know. I had this in my hand last Saturday and opted for a Bill Evans Trio disc instead but will grab it...next time...
Posted 3 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Holy crap! that transition from "Find The River" from REM to this was absolutely seamless. Slick Bill, Slick
Posted 3 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
Another stand out track is Dream Gerrard, with the lovely lyrics '..he wears spectacles to see dreams more clearly..'. Also very well recorded.

Stevie Winwood's voice is beautiful, full of yearning. 
Posted 3 years ago by SgtBeefheart    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

How is this Traffic album?  I have 2 other Traffic albums and wonder if I should add this one.


If your two albums are Low Spark and John Barleycorn, then yes, add this one.

Posted 3 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to my days at Nottingham University in the 70s, great times, great track. .   Got the LP and must go give it a spin.  So glad I found RP, superb variety of music.  
Posted 3 years ago by Terryww    [ Reply ]


Love this, I have loved this for a very long time.
Posted 3 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
This song came out during my last year in high school and I have never heard of it. I can get into it. Nice jam.
Posted 3 years ago by Max32    [ Reply ]
Twirlin' in the kitchen and I'm 19 again. 
Posted 3 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
#lushsegue from REM Find The River
Posted 3 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
Saw Traffic at Reading Festival in 1974.  I seem to recall that Winwood was ... ahem ... under the influence and had to be carried on-stage.  Awesome band though, so bumped 9 -> 10
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 scfujimoto wrote:
"The president is crying, crying in the White House" ...
 
Just bumping this comment... That's all...
Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
The president is definitely crying in the White House tonight.
Posted 4 years ago by whaleboneman    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
How is this Traffic album?  I have 2 other Traffic albums and wonder if I should add this one.
 
Asolutley!
Posted 4 years ago by pakart    [ Reply ]
Gorgeous stuff.  There isn't a bad cut on the album.  For me the pick was Dream Gerrard.    
Posted 4 years ago by WeAdmire    [ Reply ]
Damn, that was an excellent segue from R.E.M.'s "Find The River."  Kudos, Bill.
Posted 4 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
 scfujimoto wrote:
"The president is crying, crying in the White House" ...
 
Cool line. And a question... has anyone seen 45 laugh? Ever? Not sneer or mock, he does that all the time. But a single instance of even just the briefest of a good natured chuckle? I haven't and find it quite odd.
Posted 4 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
Something about Steve Winwood's vocals just makes me happy. One of the purist, cleanest voices in rock IMO.
Posted 4 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
I don't think I've ever heard this before. I would remember, this is pretty awesome.

I love it when Bill dusts off a gem...
c.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
OMFG!!!
More I hear this awesome tune more I like!!!
Posted 4 years ago by thais    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
How is this Traffic album?  I have 2 other Traffic albums and wonder if I should add this one.
 

I really love this album. This track, Dream Gerard, When the Eagle Flies are all great tracks.
Posted 4 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
Love love love LOVE this song! It's been one of my favorites for literally decades! Truly a classic.
Posted 4 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
How is this Traffic album?  I have 2 other Traffic albums and wonder if I should add this one.
Posted 4 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Great. A new one for me.

Prompted me to look up the album. Had a hard time finding--album is WHEN the Eagle Flies (based on album cover image).
Posted 4 years ago by paulfhplaptop896    [ Reply ]
Memorable bass line, really love the BIG bass chord strummed at the onset of the chorus.
Posted 4 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
"The president is crying, crying in the White House" ...
Posted 4 years ago by scfujimoto    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
That bass line ... so simple and yet what a groove! 
 
I learned today that is Rosko Gee, when all along I though is was Ric Grech. 

Traffic has some fab-oh-lah bass plucking, no matter whoever is doing it.  (And I played bass as a music major years ago.  Upright with a German bow.)
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 ExploitingChaos wrote:
A great band which I have never heard of outside of RP!

LLRP
 
Oh, you youngsters have SO much to learn.  But BillG is the ideal tutor.  Let's get busy ...
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
One of the most overlooked Traffic “jams”
Posted 5 years ago by chuck.b.meyers    [ Reply ]
 snelson056 wrote:
The album's title is actually:" As The Eagle Flies", a great piece of 1974 music.
 
Well, not according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Eagle_Flies
Posted 5 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
A great band which I have never heard of outside of RP!

LLRP
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
7 -> 3
Posted 5 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
Refreshingly awesome. Thanks RP
Posted 6 years ago by WattsUp    [ Reply ]
Great track on a great album. This is what makes RP so damn good! 
Posted 6 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
Traffic Jam
Posted 6 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
its for not well known almost forgetten gems that i love RP especially for. A killer song, sheer perfection, timeless and still fresh..
Posted 6 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
One of the best. {#Hearteyes}
Posted 6 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
much skill and artistry...puts me in the right place
Posted 6 years ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
That bass line ... so simple and yet what a groove! 
Posted 6 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 ON 4/20/2017; lizardking wrote:

I feel ya!  I'm giving a 9 (10s are special) which is pretty much the same as a 10 for me, the only main difference being that a 10-song and I have some sort of history together.  That being said, the reason I have limited history with this awesome track is that most "classic rock" stations wont play it at 6:31 in length, although I can probably get it for the 'Drive @ 5' on KZOK today after-work. 

 
Wow....wasn't that long ago that I was still listening to the FM station fairly regularly.  I'll still, once-in-a-while turn on the HD2 KZOK station for the commercial-less classic rock "deep cuts" where one might hear this. 

I'm also surprised at the lack of "Winwood's voice sucks" comments.  I'm not a big fan of his singing, although the music is so good it doesn't really matter (and still better than my singing a few octaves lower.)  Long Live RP!! PEACE OUT


Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Sooo good.  Chair groovin'  Another thank you nod to my older brothers....Traffic was and is wonderful...still going strong.  
Posted 7 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
9 —-> 10 today
Posted 7 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Today, this is a perfect 10.

The president is crying, crying in the White House 
The prime minister's really got the blues 
All the heads of state are busy playing cat and mouse 
'Cause you can see none of them have ever paid their dues  

 
I feel ya!  I'm giving a 9 (10s are special) which is pretty much the same as a 10 for me, the only main difference being that a 10-song and I have some sort of history together.  That being said, the reason I have limited history with this awesome track is that most "classic rock" stations wont play it at 6:31 in length, although I can probably get it for the 'Drive @ 5' on KZOK today after-work. 
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Today, this is a perfect 10.

The president is crying, crying in the White House 
The prime minister's really got the blues 
All the heads of state are busy playing cat and mouse 
'Cause you can see none of them have ever paid their dues  
Posted 7 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
{#Dance} what a treat! this whole album is zesty
Posted 7 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
That bass line & rhythm is all Motown soul. Creamy delicious.
Posted 8 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
What an under rated band.

Traffic & Steely Dan.

Boy, I would have loved to catch that tour.
Posted 8 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
Omg, listened to this fantastic album over and over - how easy it was for me to fall in love with Stevie's voice.  Thank you, thank you for playing this lovely masterpiece!!
Posted 8 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]

   This hunter is an exception, he can't afford an ohh !
      Face to face with rhino, expected and unseen
          I take revenge by painting the sky black..
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Great song man (bet the person who invented Velcro had this album, those talons are aimed right for that nappy hair-do)
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 jpfueler wrote:
Bet if he kept at it the singer could have a decent career.
What?
Don't look at me like that.

 
I wasn't looking. I just assumed it was the drugs...


Posted 9 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Bet if he kept at it the singer could have a decent career.
What?
Don't look at me like that.
Posted 9 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
My favorite Traffic album.  So much so that I just purchased a new vinyl copy.   1974; year I graduated high school.  -John
Posted 9 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
Sooo thankful for older brothers with good musical taste.  This is a gem!
Posted 9 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
The album's title is actually:" As The Eagle Flies", a great piece of 1974 music.
Posted 9 years ago by snelson056    [ Reply ]
Nice timing, Bill! How did you know the weather here today? Winds sustained at 30, gusts to 50. 
Posted 9 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
The music these guys did was so different from what the other bands did. Lots of various influences. The flute work and parts by Chris Wood really set this band apart. So did Steve Winwood's voice...
Posted 10 years ago by 6Saabs    [ Reply ]
 GTT wrote:
I thought I had all of the Traffic albums ... but not this one.  Never even heard of it, and it sounds great. 
As did I.  Wonderful find
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
I thought I had all of the Traffic albums ... but not this one.  Never even heard of it, and it sounds great.
Posted 10 years ago by GTT    [ Reply ]
Someone shoot that cat!!!
Posted 10 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
My kind of "Traffic"...
Posted 10 years ago by paganpete    [ Reply ]
Great song, long before Steve Winwood sold out to Pop (If You See A Chance...)
Posted 10 years ago by Chrisjea    [ Reply ]
 Shaken_Bake wrote:
Sublime

.{#Meditate}

 
Agreed...what an album....spare..... classic
Posted 10 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
Close my eyes and flying back in the seventies, where everthing seemed to be easy and possible!
Very nice, Stevie!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 rmurray248 wrote:
Nice mix of keyboards - drags out a little bit, though.
 
Um....yeah.
Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
this hungry man was minutes ago in a classy (meaning: not sloppy) bbq joint where Stevie Wonder's "You haven't heard Nothin" was playing, oh so super cool, and then this classic piece comes to fill my senses!  Love it
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
These gentlemen conveyed so much within their spare arrangements.  Perhaps because of the 'space' in their music, one finds the ability to really appreciate each musician's skill and contribution to the whole.  Each of their albums still sounds good today.

Stated another way, the bass work in this ancient piece is a fabulous example of early funk/ska/reggae, and isn't it nice that the drums and piano don't overwhelm it? 
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Nice!!
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h!

(This was my earworm while I was out birding last Saturday morning.)
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
This album is phenomenal and, IMHO, has endured the test of time.  Thanks Bill.
Posted 11 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
An old favorite. LOVE hearing it tonight. {#Yes}
Posted 11 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]

godlike, a ten all the way, love traffic, and this song is fantastic, thanks


Posted 11 years ago by jktravl    [ Reply ]
From Dire Straits to Windwood to Rusted Root.  Truly RP, truly classy, thanks, Bill.
Posted 12 years ago by railroadwail    [ Reply ]
Great to hear Traffic.  How about the other 19 in the library Bill? {#Yes}
Posted 12 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
Traffic = 10+
Posted 12 years ago by danoodles    [ Reply ]
Very very very nice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]

SUPER-SUPER ALBUM!

Just fantastic!

 

TITLE: "WHEN THE EAGLY FLIES" (Bill!)


Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Stropatus wrote:


I second that emotion
 
Thirded
Posted 12 years ago by lingchih    [ Reply ]
Good Lord, this was overflowingly great when it came out and still stands as quite a masterpiece, I'd say! Reminds me of times we'd sit around enlightening ourselves with tunes like this and immersing our minds in fully-bent discussion of them — instead of the Calculus and Physics we were supposed to be studying! — and such are diversions that continue to this day to pay far better dividends for the effort!
Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
One of my very favorite songs. I remember listening to this on KIKI in Honolulu in the mid 70's when they were a reasonably free form AM station.  Another great song they played was Van Morrison Autumn Song.
Thanks for playing this, it brings back pleasant memories.
Posted 12 years ago by cheeseplease    [ Reply ]
 Horsechestnut wrote:
Not enough Traffic played. Not enough Steve Winwood played. Not enough Jim Capaldi played.

 

I second that emotion
Posted 12 years ago by Stropatus    [ Reply ]
The oldies really don't sound old at all on RP!  Traffic?   I give it an 8!
Posted 12 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
Nice segue, Bill, from Dire Straits-On Every St.!
Posted 12 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
Not enough Traffic played. Not enough Steve Winwood played. Not enough Jim Capaldi played.

Posted 12 years ago by Horsechestnut    [ Reply ]
Lovely.
Posted 12 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Old bands always sound great!
Posted 13 years ago by megaboogieman    [ Reply ]
Great song, Great Band.. Needs to be played way more often..
Posted 13 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Bumping this from 7 to 8 - I'm liking it a LOT.  Then again, I always love to hear Traffic.{#Bounce}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I have this track from their 1974 album "When The Eagle Flies"
Posted 14 years ago by dan_k    [ Reply ]
Very nice.
Posted 14 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
Gorgeous. Stevie my love. {#Laughing}
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Sublime

.{#Meditate}
Posted 14 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear more Traffic - Its a shame this hasn't been played since 2002 til now!
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Nice mix of keyboards - drags out a little bit, though.
Posted 22 years ago by rmurray248    [ Reply ]