Synopsis

Steve Winwood performs "Higher Love" in a stylized studio setting surrounded by a lively backing band and dancers. Chaka Khan joins him for the performance, while Nile Rodgers appears among the musicians on guitar. The video moves through energetic close-ups, group choreography, and loose dance sequences, shifting between vivid color and grainy black-and-white footage. Rather than presenting Winwood behind his Hammond organ, the visual places him front and center as a charismatic pop performer, matching the song's celebratory, soulful momentum.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was filmed in June 1986 and uses a mixture of 35mm film, Super 8, and footage from a hand-held 16mm Bolex camera.

• The black-and-white passages were largely created with the hand-held cameras, giving those sections a rougher, more immediate texture than the staged color footage.

• Some of the movement was captured by pushing a shopping trolley through the dance floor while filming, creating the video’s gliding, kinetic camera shots.

• Winwood is never shown playing an instrument. The presentation was deliberately built around making him look like an entertainer rather than the keyboard player traditionally associated with his performances.

• The video uses the shorter single version of "Higher Love."

• Chaka Khan appears on screen as well as contributing backing vocals to the recording. Nile Rodgers, who played guitar on the track, is also visible with the backing band.

• "Higher Love" received seven nominations at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography, and Viewer's Choice. It did not win in any category.