Just read the girl from Reddit’s post about her dad...when she stated “cliffs of Dover” I about fell out. It’s been years since I’ve heard it, but I had to search for it and listen just because. It’s a great song...cheers to you young lady and your father. Thanks for rekindling a faint memory.
Came here from the lady who had this stuck in her head from when her dad jammed out to it in the car, and then found it 16 years later with her husband looking for "best guitar songs" on RU-vid. Rock in Peace, mystery man.
Yep. And I'll inevitably retell her story to my friends, thus keeping his memory alive through people who didn't even know him or her. 💜 I hope she gets to see these comments, and that this encourages more people to share. We need more people randomly spreading love by sharing a simple story.
For those who don't know what we are talking about in the comments, there was a reddit post about a 8 year old girl who heard this song while his father was jamming out to it. Her father died before she could ask him what the song's name was. After 18 years, she was searching for this song with her husband. They found it after 15 minutes, and now her kids jam out to this song.
The ORIGINAL G3 Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson are going on tour! I saw Joe and Steve but Eric couldn't make it so Kenny Wayne Shepard played all 3 are Joe Satriani's protoge's. I saw Joe about 8 months ago, I would go see him again anytime. That was the third time I have seen him! ALWAYS puts on a killer show!
I'd be honored if some fans of Eric Johnson's vocal compositions would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performance of FORTY MILE TOWN on my YT in tribute to one of the purest musical artists that the USA has ever produced. Live acoustic with no digital enhancements. Peace & stay safe. .
Point of order: You could just listen to this 4m12s masterpiece even-more-repeatedly. If you're listening to it repeatedly, it really doesn't matter how long it is. 😬
I really hope that if she hasnt already, that girl from reddit youtubes this song again and sees how many views this has gotten. Countless people have discovered this song and jammed to it because years and years ago her dad told her it was the best guitar he'd ever heard. Her dad has been gone for years and is still influencing people across time. I think theres something really beautiful about this. Thank you Reddit girl, and thank you to your dad. ❤️
Ive been obsessed with this song since 2007 because of guitar hero. Whenever i have a shitty day or just simply dont feel ok i turn to this, idk y it just makes everything go away so fast
What a butterfly effect, some 8y/o saw her dad spontaneously rock out to this and now hundreds of not thousands found this masterpiece. Edit: I'm surprised 5k+ found my comment, thanks, I guess 🙃
The internet was not what it is today. There are so many songs I listened to on the radio, recording them on a cassette tape, but never really knowing the song name. Now you have apps to detect a melody and you can Google the lyrics, those websites even in the early start of the internet were very few. I remember getting the cd soundtrack for the first matrix, looking for the song that was in one scene of the movie. It ended up not being on there and for years I wondered and did the same as that 8yr old. One day I finally found it and the excitement and joy was crazy!
Eric Johnson is one the most technically advanced guitar players ever. He definitely has a "full" understanding of the instrument and it's capabilities. But he's also such a great, genuine guy. Even with all his knowledge, he still has, soul, in his playing. Definitely a top 10 guitar masterpiece......
This song is actually easy to play. The trick is just to partially slide the disc into the horizontal slit and allow the mechanism to grab it from you and take it. The results are almost always flawless. You will love it.
My uncle gave me this cassette he bought when Eric Johnson opened for Rush on the Roll the Bones tour in 91. I’ll never forget the first time I heard this song. Completely blew my mind.
I saw them on that tour as well! I was so psyched when I found out that Eric Johnson was opening for Rush, instead of Mr. Big. Your uncle has excellent taste!
This has been my "happy song" for the past 12 years. My boyfriend (now husband) introduced it to me when we were dating, and after we said "I do", we walked/danced back down the aisle hand in hand to this song. Whenever I'm in a bad mood, I turn it on and it breaks the cloud of negativity. Thank you, Eric Johnson, for this song. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to it over the years; but it still gets me in the happy feels every time!
Back in the 90s I had to rush from work to get my son at daycare. It was a race to get there in time because rush hour traffic would coagulate around Stamford and I had to move it to make it thru in time. We owned the most beautiful car I've ever had, the first Acura Legend. It drove like a legend and moved like butter. I'd turn the key, turn on this CD and I'd tear ass up that road bobbing and weaving, often going 100 miles an hour for those 11 miles to get past Stamford. Listening to Cliffs of Dover just made me fly, I didn't care if I crashed and burned, I was flying and that music pulsed in my veins. It still excites me when I hear it. My son is now 30 yrs old and I still love this piece. Thank you Eric Johnson!
I actually thought it was a second guitar at first. My next thought was that he may be tuned to E major (ie Duane Allman's Little Martha) to get such clean connecting notes (harmonics). Still don't know for sure, but love this Instrumental.
When I was a young soldier back in the 70's, I was stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso. One night, I went to see a concert, and this guy named Eric Johnson ( & The Electromagnets) was the opening act. The crowd was actually BOOING him because they wanted to get to the Headliner - BTW, for the life of me, I don't remember or even CARE who it was.... I was completely AWESTRUCK by his performance. It was then that I realized that a lot of concert goers were either completely deaf or total morons (probably both). My friends kept going on and on about how great the 'whoever they were' headliner was, but all i could hear in my head was Mr. Johnson. I'm guessing those very same people who booed him back in El Paso think he's a Guitar God these days, and rightly so. But for me, he's been a Guitar God ever since I saw him that night, opening up for whoever the hell they were.
Sadly I suck at guitar hero. However I can and have played this song on guitar. Guitar hero sounded good when it first came out but after messing with it, I realized I'd have to unlearn everything I knew about guitar. So, I gave up guitar hero and just stuck with guitar.
Overheard this song being played at an arcade on Guitar hero but didn't know the song. Worked my way through the names of the songs on the list until I found it. Worth it.
@@C_R_O_M________ I will agree to the extent I recognize "Always with Me, Always with You" is in this range. However, while Satriani is an unsurpassed 'Guitar Mechanic' his stuff is very often too perfect, and does not contain the syncopation that conveys feeling. His stuff is like a colossal ivory tower that has no furnishings in it. I find his stuff tends to lack what Bruce Lee called "emotional content." Another song I recognize in this range of greatness is Frank Zappa's "Watermelon in Easter Hay."
@@natfoote4967 Satriani uses major scales more than minor scales for an uplifting tone. His “Flying in a blue dream” and “Surfing with an alien” are such samples that are cheerful melodic and uplifting pieces. A cheerful emotion is still an emotion, just not conveying a melancholic mood like pieces in the minor scale. I believe “Crying” by Satriani is such a minor scale-based song and love it.
I’m taking it for granted that this song is as difficult as everyone says, but I just appreciate that Mr. Johnson‘s difficult song still works as a SONG, rather than just a way for a guitarist to show off.
@@MK-ge2mh thanks. Yes. Instrumental piece seems unnecessarily awkward, although it is also correct. I’m no musicologist, but I am pedantic enough to know song is not the correct term.
I’ve been playing guitar for 16 years and still haven’t mastered this song. Speed is one thing, but it’s also ridiculously technical. Anyone who can play this song perfectly in its entirety deserves a medal.
Love how many are here because a little girl saw her dad rock out to this decades ago! 😂 Music brings people together and its truly one of humanity's greatest accomplishments. 🎶😁🎶
Never played Guitar Hero. Been coming here repeatedly since a 1995 beach day in LA, when I challenged a friend with an acoustic guitar (and dismissive views regarding electrics) to play this... and he _DID._ Which was impressive, but not as impressive as me visiting this video 10 years before RU-vid launched.
For those who thought 16 years was a long time, I had specific remix of an obscure 90s house song stuck in my head from 1997 till 2017.....I finally found the original track around 2013, but it wasn't until 2017 when someone *finally* uploaded the version that I was thinking of (a very rare bootleg version). Even the person who uploaded it didn't even know what the name of the remix was, since they uploaded it from an old mixtape off the radio. So half of the title was called "????". Eventually someone commented what the name of the remix was. IT TOOK 20 YEARS. I have never cried tears of joy like that in my life.
@@AlphaQHard ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o2tE48d2E4I.htmlsi=mgi25-iL4SD4hi79 OK here it is…please no hate. I know now it sounds like the cheesiest and ultra repetitive 90s eurodance that has ever existed but it was *everything* to me when I was 12. 🥲 USE GOOD SPEAKERS and imagine it’s blasting in Ibiza in 1996 (before the world sucked ass) …and you will hear the vision I promise 😜
Yes!! This is why I don’t like TwoSet violin. They’re classical musicians and they think that only classical composers can compose melodies like these.
@@janeelsner I don't think that's the case, they may be more knowledgeable in that area, but they appreciate other genres too and they recommended modern composers as well They even sightread pieces made by fans so I think they're well aware that there are a lot of talented people that can compose beautiful and well crafted melodies outside of the classical era
I’ve always loved this song. Played it in the tape deck of my Ford Escort when I was in college. Best driving song through country hills or mountains! You feel like you could just fly!!
Damn, this is one of the songs my uncles played on guitar hero while they still went to family gatherings. Didn't expect to be hit with my own nostalgia when I came here from that girl's post about her dad
Just read the Reddit story about the girl whose dad loved the song. Never heard of it yet until now. Just want to say thank you and hope your dad was flying high to the best guitar solo ever.
Cliffs of Dover is the most uplifting melodic and happy sounding instrumental guitar song ever! It is so inspiring that my 7 year old nephew used to play this solo on the piano each time he would come over at Christmas on my mother’s 1900 Steinway Grand piano. Really lit up the living room! Eric’s finger action and originality are second to none. This music is motivational and inspiringly brilliant. Thanks for sharing!
I have played guitar for over 30 years and i can attest this is by far one of the most challenging songs to learn it takes most skillful guitarists 6 months to a year to master. i for one feel the electricity whenever i hear or play this tune. Eric Johnson is a master at his craft such a powerful song that has zero lyrics but yet it gets ya right in the feels.
Heard this when I was 10. Didn’t know the name. Been searching literally for 30 years for it. Hummed it at least 4x’s a week. Came across it on a RU-vid playlist yesterday. Have listened to nothing but it since then. Easily my favorite song ever!!!!!
Music without lyrics can carry some of the strongest emotions, if done right. Even tell an entire story of life then love then death in one album . Alon Mor is a modern example. Many electronic artists that dont play at the mainstream level, use classical influence and a wide array of acoustics to create mental journeys of thought provoking rhythms🤘🏼
When asked about this song, Johnson said: "I don't even know if I can take credit for writing 'Cliffs of Dover' ... it was just there for me one day ... literally wrote in five minutes ... kind of a gift from a higher place that all of us are eligible for. We just have to listen for it and be available to receive it." For some reason, it's addicting and I really like it.
D P same thing man both definitions mean “a substance or activity causing or likely to cause someone to become addicted” google if you don’t believe me
Im gonna jam to this song every once in a while to thank the reddit girls dad who passed away cause he now showed me magic in the form of music. God bless your soul reddit dad
I heard this on Q102 FM radio in Dallas in the 80s and loved it! I got tickets to some multi artist concert at the Dallas Convention Center arena and Eric was one of the performers and loved it!! I see comments about a girl and her dad but have no clue about that but it sounds like she had happy memories.
I was in a similar situation. I heard this song on the radio while driving in 1990, and I fell in love with it right away. I had no idea what the song was or how to ask anyone since there were no lyrics. About a year later I heard it again and again they didn't say what the song was. this kept happening for about 7 or 8 years. Finally I was in a Pizza Hut on a rare chance and this was playing. I was in shock and stood up at my table and yelled. "For the love of god! does anyone know what this song is?!" instantly I heard at least 5 different people say "Cliffs of Dover!" or "Its Eric Johnson. Cliffs of Dover!" I swear I heard someone say Eric Clapton. I didn't care how embarrassed I was. I said "Thank you all sooo much!" A lot of people laughed. Including people I was at the table with. I borrowed a pen and wrote it on my arm since I was afraid I would forget. My next stop was the music store and I help up my arm to the people at the front counter and said "Where can I find THIS!?"
@RavenClaw88 Being born on the late 90's, I keep thinking how hard things was before the ease that technology provided us, and this is a perfect example. This, along with the dad story, of course is a great story to hear, but it is crazy how Shazam could have solved your and the reddit user's problem in seconds
Thanks for your comment, I am sitting in a library and I'm silently laughing so hard rn because of the Pizza Hut-Situation. But I'm glad you found the song! It's a true banger indeed
yep this was the battle back then haha I had similar problems till about the late 90's when the dj on waaf(rip) finally said it and I went out and got every cd I could.
Harry Satchel the other guy was rude yes. But obviously the original comment was a joke. I dont get how some people in these comments just cant grasp simple to understand jokes.
@@TheRealSlimShady509 My original comment was meant to complement OP's joke. I understood the joke and felt maybe mine would add some nuance. That was apparently lost on some people.
Harry Satchel usually people who go along with the joke say something like, yeah thats the best part or something like that. Not the opposite of the joke lol
I came here to say something to the effects of "lyric video when?" But considering I've been beaten to that by almost 5k people, I'll just say that the first time I heard this song, I didn't know it was an instrumental so I kept sitting and waiting for a singer to come on, then the song ended and I felt almost robbed. Listened to it again some 4 years later and realized it was a fucking banger, now I listen all the time.
Having bad taste in music should be considered a sin. However, inevitably finding that good taste should be considered redemption. You are forgiven for your past transgressions!
Who's been listening to this before Reddit was even a thing (or the internet)? I got this album not long after it was released in the early 1990s, been grooving to it on-and-off since then.
I’m amazed at the number of folks who had never heard this song until it was spoken of in a recent article. I’ve been rockin to it all my life, but however you found it… I’m glad you did! And I’m so very glad the lady has this sweet memory of her dad. Rest in Rock, sir 🤘🏻🖤 And y’all check out Trademark. Another favorite of mine by Mr. Eric Johnson.
Funny story, I was in my ex girlfriends moms car, I was probably like 16 at the time, and this song came on the radio and I had to know the title, so even though she broke up with me and slept with another guy a week after it’s still alright because I learned this awesome song from her moms cool taste in music, thanks again Mrs. Sines!
Back in 1999 started working with a bunch of guys in Tampa. Listening to Travis Tritt and the like. Slipped this disc in one night , they went crazy. Must of played it 10 times that night.
The first time I experienced Eric Johnson was the Austin city limits performance. I didn't remember all of the songs, but this one stuck. It's my all time favorite. Brilliant.
Everyones talking about a girl and her father. I was introduced to this by my music teacher when I was doing my GCSEs. My composition was to be instrumental and my teacher recommended to listen to this. At the time, my piece was not up to this standard, but I have improved since then and am trying to learn this.
I've never seen so many people commenting on how they came to be here from a Reddit post, sorry I missed it. I just came to listen to some awesome music!!!
This song just popped into my head today . I bought this on a cassette when it came out . I wish I could go back in time when I was young and life was simple . *Sheds a tear*
I had forgotten about how great this song is… reading about the girl on Reddit brought it back and I had to hear it again. Thanks to her for this wonderful reintroduction to a phenomenal, uplifting song.