In the 1960s, Steve Winwood was a daring rocker, but he had a hit with a “modern hymn” in 1986

Steve Winwood, who had spent much of his early career in bands and supporting other major artists, found major solo success in 1986 with “Higher Love”. The song became his first chart-topping single and helped make his album *Back in the High Life* his biggest commercial success.

Co-writer Will Jennings drew on his devout Christian upbringing and described “Higher Love” as a “modern hymn”, pleading for a love that people could not take for granted. The album was certified three times platinum in the US, while the song reached number one there and won two Grammy Awards; Whitney Houston later recorded a cover.