It Came From the British Invasion: “Gimme Some Lovin’,” The Spencer Davis Group’s Smash That Introduced Steve Winwood to America

Music trivia enthusiasts know The Spencer Davis Group was the band that helped launch Steve Winwood into the stratosphere as one of the most influential and impactful musicians in the rock era. But the group deserves credit in their own right for delivering several hit singles in their mid-‘60s heyday.

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With “Gimme Some Lovin’,” the band came through with one of the most iconic songs of the era. The result of a producer’s ultimatum, the song captured the young band at its energetic best and was one of their last hurrahs before Winwood was on his way.

A Slump-Breaker

The makeup of The Spencer Davis Group helped it stand out among their British Invasion brethren, largely because of the inclusion of Steve Winwood. He was only 14 when Davis heard him playing with his brother Muff in Birmingham, England. In 1964, Davis (who played guitar) decided to form a new band with the two brothers and drummer Mike York.

Early on in their career, they needed to rely on other writers for their blues- and R&B-based material. Chris Blackwell, who signed the band to his Island Records label, was largely responsible for the flow of songs coming their way. After their first few singles failed to make much of an impression, Blackwell hooked the SDG up with Island’s in-house writer Jackie Edwards.

That combination proved to be magic, as they scored No. 1 UK hits in 1965 (“Keep on Running”) and 1966 (“Somebody Help Me”) with songs written by Edwards. But their success rate, even with Edwards writing more for them, dwindled with subsequent songs. Blackwell decided a change was needed.

“Lovin’” Feeling

Blackwell decided the band should try writing a single on their own, setting them up in a London rehearsal room so they could take care of it. Once behind their instruments, the two Winwoods and Davis began jamming away, settling on Muff’s churning bass line and Steve’s soaring organ riffs. Winwood began shouting out “Gimme Some Lovin’” for the chorus.

The band was done in a half-hour’s time, well ahead of the allotted schedule. When Blackwell headed to the rehearsal room to hear their progress, they had already departed and headed off to a local bar. He became furious when he found them, at least until they played him the final product.

Jimmy Miller, who would later produce many of The Rolling Stones’ classic albums, was tapped to helm the record, adding female backing vocalists to Americanize the sound a bit. It all worked, as “Gimme Some Lovin’” climbed into the Top 10 to give The Spencer Davis Group their big stateside breakthrough.

What is “Gimme Some Lovin’” About?

The lyrics to “Gimme Some Lovin’” capture some of the offhand charm that often comes attached to songs made up on the spot. It’s all about excitement, as in the excitement of a great party, or killer music, or new romance, or maybe all of those things put together.

Things are just on the edge of getting out of control: Crazy people knocking ‘cause they’re wanting some more. There’s a bit of sweaty inscrutability to the goings-on in this moment: She know a thing, and I have so much to do. The narrator has endured a rough day, which means he and his companion have earned their relaxing outlet: And I’m so glad we made it.

Steve Winwood’s stunning performance, both on organ and vocal, grabbed the spotlight on this track. In less than a year, he had moved on to the somewhat artier fare of Traffic. But the bluesy abandon he displayed on “Gimme Some Lovin’” ensured The Spencer Davis Group would have a place in music history apart from being Winwood’s stepping stone.

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