MUSIC: 1980s: Steve Winwood – Valerie … What’s the fuss?

Remember the song “Valerie?” (Valeriiieeeeee… Call on meeeeee…. Call on meeeeee.. Valeriiieeee.) You’d think it was about a specific Valerie, right? His lyrics claim “I’m the same boy I used to be”, but Valerie isn’t even the same girl she is right now! Does this make Steve Winwood a fucking liar? The “Valerie” in the music videos is different in the American version and the European version! What the fuck! Is this some corporate interference? I had remembered the lyrics incorrectly, thinking they were “She’s the same girl she used to be”, and I was irate. I’ve calmed down now. Observe:

American Valerie

European Valerie – NOT the same girl she used to be, but since those aren’t the correct lyrics, I guess I can’t get too worked up about a 20+-year-old video.

“So wild, standing there, with her hands in her hair”

So this is what all the fuss is about?