I came here to pay homage to Cliffs of Dover, in honor of a lady's father. The lady told a story on Reddit, of how her rather stoic dad jammed out to this song and told her that this was the best music guitar performance ever. According to her, the dad died not long after, and this song stuck to her mind for years, until she was able to find it on UA-cam. Respect to her dad, and this wonderful guitarist. It is indeed the best guitar performance I've listened to in a while.
I'm here because a Reddit video of a person who used to ride in the car with their dad.This was their dad's favorite guitar solo song and I have to say it was definitely worth looking up
He used to be a regular at a restaurant I worked at in Austin, I had heard him but didn't know what he looked like.. One day he was digging for some change and dumped his pockets on the counter.. a bunch of picks fell out and I said "oh that's cool you play guitar?" He replied "yeah a little..." 😅🤦♂️
I was playing this around 30 years ago ,,, wholly inequitably it seem's,, at 68 years old I still run the riff when I'm three beers down and feeling fogy,, Could'n't touch Eric with a ten foot pole after 50 Years,, :-)
The next note is high e on the 14th fret, bend it then mute and restart the same bend only 1/2 bend now. That'll have you busy today at least. It's a real finesse thing.
@@michaeltether2595 Oh that's the next part. Thank you, I've finally decided to fully commit to just listening to it on UA-cam and never touch my own guitars again!
If it’s set up right and has good quality specs then strats are great for tuning, I take mine everywhere and it’s gets banged about and even when I go nuts on he trem, I barely ever have to tune it
Once you learn his descending 5s lick, it comes together, A BIT. But that finger and pick technique he's got going on right before the song kicks in for real, I'll never be able to get.... it's really two finger per string pentatonic but he makes it look so easy.....
This for me is on a whole other level of guitar playing. It’s not the fastest in the world (it’s goddamn close though), but it’s so insanely clean my mind is blown
This may be the only guitar "shredder" song that is universally loved by non-guitarists. This is a beautifully composed piece with a strong melodic hook.
True, I was trying to think of another one, I’m sure there is, but I can’t. I think Eric Johnson’s tone is perfect for a more mainstream “shredder” style. It’s a lot softer on the ear for non guitarists. I always loved this song before playing guitar, just because of guitar hero 3 lol.
I had loved this song when I first heard it after I first watched a performance on TV. But back then there was no internet. And apparently it did not come on the radio and I did not have the forethought to write the name down. Decades later at an arcade, I hear this song on Guitar Hero... OMG!!! 😱
This is the best guitar tone I've ever heard in my whole life. I play guitar 8 hours a day, every day. This is the best tone I've ever hear, recorded or not.
@@JustGeorge770 Neither way of playing is wrong it depends on the musical context. As a performer you want to engage your audiences. I play exclusively folk which is really easy almost muscle memory strumming. It's honestly not good to stare at your neck as a performer is situations like that.
It could be argued that he is underrated, but he is also considered one of the greatest guitarist of all time. The underrating occurs when you add in "one of" to the statement.
Every person I've ever heard talk about meeting him has said the same thing. It's tough in this day and age to not have a single bad story about someone this famous. He and Keannu stand above the rest of us (but have the humility to never remind us).
And no distortion. Mid range CLEAR distinct chords and notes. This solo is MUCH better than anything you will hear from a hard rock guitar player. SO much more intricate. no power chords. no phoney noisy bullshit.
Well its pretty simple really. It would take you four hours of work to save the money to buy that jacket, or 4 decades of work to play guitar like that. I would choose to play guitar like that. But thats just me. It is a nice jacket tho...
Listening to memorialize the wonderful girl’s father who passed away before she could find out what the song was. He had amazing taste! And I’m so glad she gets to listen to this in it’s entirety whenever she wishes ❤️❤️❤️
37 (!) years later, this remains a definitive and justifiably legendary performance. To this day, no one has combined this level of musicianship with this degree of melodicism, feel, and crazy good tone. And it comes time in the song for the solo, and you think he's going to hit you with some mind-boggling run....and he goes into the chord excursion! Genius. Eric was at his absolute peak during this time, and playing of this caliber will be cherished--and analyzed--for decades to come. What a generous gift he gave to the world.
1990, playing in a punk band in Chicago and I heard Eric was playing at the Cubby Bear. After band practice we all head to Wrigleyville and the show was sold out. Didn't matter as you could hear everything that was played on that stage, on the street. The three punks stood outside waiting to hear this song. Young, dumb, arrogant, self righteous and brash, we all shut the phuck up when we heard those first notes at 0:50. The Jam was and is my favorite band of all time. My other two bandmates were fans of hardcore punk. Didn't matter. Freezing our asses off, staring at our hot body breath that exited our mouths, the flask stopped being passed as we listened to one of the greatest guitar players of our lives. Just wonderful.
Yup. One of those nights where you’re just “in the zone”. It’s a rare event. But it’s one of those things that just happens. Your confidence is unquestionable, and yeah, it just seems like you’re in a a different dimension (for the player). Hendrix Band of Gypsies on New Year’s Eve I believe was another one of those rare times.
The perfect combination of shred and feel. No one else straddles the line like Eric. Simply one of the greatest ever, if not the most talented guitarist ever.
@ 2:58 when he finally hits a bum note that doesn't resonate and he shakes his head in disappointment in himself. It's actually refreshing to see that moment of humanity 💜
Keep In mind that this song wasn’t commercially released until 1990. This is nearly a full 2 years before that. What a revelation it must have been to those who saw it live
Well jason becker was a thing before 1990 and hes been melting peoples faces off with his guitar skills since he was a child i love this song and eric johnson but if you like this you should listen to jason beckers perpetual burn album thats the absolute apex of guitar playing
@@LuciousMidnite Becker was an insane guitarist, but I think he went a little too hard and didn’t really put out good music. He’s basically just showing off that he can shred at insane speeds
It is quite epic. Eric Johnson is still amazing to this day, some could say he's been surpassed.. but i'd say he's made his way into Legendary status. Guy rips and has a signature sound
This was *before* he even recorded the studio version. It's crazy how much he improved it in such a short time. Check out his 1984 ACL performance of this song - a lot rougher in every way. This performance was basically a perfect storm of playing. He had a good day for a lot of reasons. Most performers can recognize those inexplicably great days to perform, and this must've been one of them. Sound guy was also killing it with a stereo lexicon reverb. Really adds to the atmosphere.
Song gives me chills, I remember being in my basement in 2007, im playing halo 3 online and next to me on his Xbox is my brother playing GH3 cliffs of Dover, I would kill to go back to these days.
My 3 month old daughter wouldnt stop crying until I put this on for her. It was amazing, she went to sleep instantly! And I man INSTANTLY! The magic of Johnson's guitar hit her like a bolt of lightning. She was mid-cry and her eyes shot open wide, face relaxed, arms outstretched and she froze. Then her eyes slowely lowered as she became mezmerized by the melody... But then halfway through his extended solo introduction she couldnt tell if he was going anywhere so she started screaming again, but when the song actually started, she INSTANTLY fell asleep!
This is really one of the greatest live electric guitar performances ever. To play something this long, this technical, and to nail it like this is otherworldly.
@@damiangentile27 I disagree. A Strat has a different tone than a Telecaster, as do any number of Gibsons. Effects pedals can also play a role, but I don’t see them in this performance.
Eric Johnson's guitar playing is soothing to the ears! Btw guys Our first track "inner dimensions" is out and we hope we did our mentors proud! ua-cam.com/video/v20kKBgK8Hg/v-deo.html
I know right pisses me of about a lot of Hendrix videos they are always looking at his face, like yeah, Jimi is one cool looking dude but im far more interested in looking at his guitar playing. They are very few that do tho, really annoying.
Eric Johnson's guitar playing is soothing to the ears! Btw guys Our first track "inner dimensions" is out and we hope we did our mentors proud! ua-cam.com/video/v20kKBgK8Hg/v-deo.html
Two questions: 1. How do you get THAT tone on a Strat. He's playing on the bridge single coil and it sounds fatter than a hippo. 2. How is it even physically possible to play that entire thing perfectly. Not just perfect as in he hit every note, but perfect percussion on every note, didn't drop or increase a millisecond below or above tempo, etc.. The playing seriously makes me question if I'm living in a computer simulation. That is simply alien, or influenced by divinity, or something.
You need to take into consideration his pickup specs. They're AlNiCo. They're naturally fatter (boosted at low frequencies). I can say this 'cause I own his Signature model. Other than that, his tone depends on his touch. It couldn't be reproduced by anyone. It's just so perfect.
The lady who lost her dad brought me here . When it started to play I recognized it right away and remembering my kids playing guitar hero 🤣. Awesome memories
I can't give you a thumbs up as you are at 42, which we know is the answer. I do agree, his live music is the best. I saw him with a friend in the late 90's at Bogart's in Cincinnati OH. Before the concert we walk into Mikes music, next to Bogart's, and hear this beautiful music, not your normal music store wank fest. Low and behold, we walk up and it was EJ killing it on an old Fender blackface. One of the greatest moments of my life.
Just had the Karaoke guy where is sing play this between people singing. Was up on the video screen as well. The reception by all in the house was “shock and awe”. Can’t believe how many people have never heard this before.
@@OfficialEricJohnson Shouldn't you be rehearsing for G3 now Mr Johnson, not reading comments on UA-cam! LOL just kidding and can't wait to see you again :)
12/27/24 - Found out about this song because of a lady whos dad passed away had this song stuck on her head for over 16 years. I wish you could see how much you've help get this song known in 2024 by those who never knew this song existed.
For the people that are searching the reddit lady's story about her dad: "I remember being about 8, and in the car with my dad. I was in the front seat and we were driving somewhere, and this song came on the radio. He cranked it and said something about it being the best guitar playing ever. He really jammed out, which was really uncharacteristic because he was usually so stoic. It was the only time I heard the song, and he died before I could ever ask him what song it was. When I asked around, no one knew wtf I was talking about or what song I was thinking of. So I had this melody in my head for years, but how do you look up a song that has no lyrics? So for years and years, this song stayed on the back burner in my brain. I was afraid to forget it. Somehow this story pops up when I'm like 26 or so, chatting with my husband and we searched UA-cam for "best guitar songs". After about 15 minutes, we find it. Cliffs of Dover was the song that I'd burned into my brain on repeat for 16 years. Now I jam out to it with my kids."
Join me this Thursday June 9th at 11 AM PST/1 PM CST/2 PM EST for a @reddit AMA. I’ll be chatting and answering questions in the r/music subreddit! @OfficialEricJohnson
Some fool actually said this is tedious scaling. WTF? Listen to yngvie for 5 minutes and you fall asleep. This playing is melodic and fluid and chordal and chromatic and Tonal beyond my wildest dreams. I hear chords of heaven and melodies like years of love and devotion to old hymns and classic songs. God bless Eric with a long life and more love to come
His note selection in his solos is tasty, cerebral, and beyond impressive. So damn interesting. Some folks just don't know what the hell they are listening too huh?
This was one of my little brother's favorite songs. He died 6 years ago in a bike crash . Every time I listen to this song I can see him smile like he's here and I cry ❤
Pretty sure his hands can’t replicate the sound of an overdrive, reverb, delay, and chorus. Unless he’s got some sort of advanced technology I don’t know about. So I’m pretty sure it’s not all in his playing
@CarFreak Ok cool, sorry if I sounded hostile. It just seems like some people are convinced that all of guitar tone is in the hands and gear doesn't matter. I agree that he has special way of playing and phrasing that no one can replicate, thats why he's one of the best.
So glad someone else understands how amazing it really is to see someone play with his accuracy. Especially for playing 12 notes per second. Anyone can play fast. But to play fast with perfect accuracy is a rare gift!
Mr Johnson, I showed this to my 8 year old daughter and she had tears in her eyes. She wanted to take your picture to school the next day and tell her classmates about you and your strat. So I promptly printed one and Cliffs of Dover will be played in class. The teacher agreed to this. I will never forget seeing Julie cry when she listened to you playing this magical song. Greetings from Belgium! Julie and Jürgen.
Harley Likes Magic Boi you warm butter to make it softer and smoother if you pulled it out of the fridge it like a block you can barely spread it just warm it up a bit and wallah soft warm butter
When I was in college I was studying radio broadcasting. I volunteered/interned at the community college radio station and was the board operator of the afternoon jazz program. The show’s host chose the music and one day he told me to play this song. That was in the summer of 1990. I’ve loved the song ever since.
![Eric Johnson - Cliffs Of Dover [HQ Studio Version]](/img/n.gif)
10 years ago when I started learning gutiar, I thought I'd never be able to play this song. 10 years later, I realized that I was correct.
🤣🤣
you lazy ass...just like me...
😂😊😂
😳🥰🥰boy is awesome 😂
30 years for me, but I feel you, man.
To the lady who lost her father and had this song in her head for 16 years, hope you are doing okay :)
You too?
Yo! im here because of that vid too
Yeah, thats how i got here too!
Same reason being here lol
I’m here because of her to😂
This inspired me to give up guitar.
Lol yea there's too much catching up to do. Ill find something else to do
🤣😂🤣😂
Not for me.
Hahahaha.. true dude
Yeah. Between him and Phil Keaggy I realized that I was never gonna be that great, so I calmed down and just enjoyed what I could play.
Who's here 2025 listening to this timeless epicness?!
Lyrics:
thank you very much.
This is the only time that comment is acceptable 😂
Thanks, man, finally I can understand the song
Absolutely outstanding.
😶👂🤘
Top Banter
After years of hard work, persistence and sweat, I finally bought that jacket.
hahaha you just made my day
You do know that's his high school band jacket, right? I'm pretty sure it was a marching band, which accounts for all his flashy footwork.
And he took it to a Goodwill or something many years ago! Just think, someone probably has rock history in their closet and doesn't even know it!
Dope jacket not gonna lie
😂😂🤣🤣
I heard Eric Johnson made a deal with the devil. No one knows what Johnson got, but the devil got guitar lessons.
i laughed out loud that was great
The devil sold his soul to Eric Johnson
@@phasergim2154 That explains why he keeps trying to buy mine.
Devil got that jacket.
Jochem what an original comment, I‘ve never heard this about any guitarist before
The people who heard about this song because of a lady who posted her dad and had this rolling in her head for 16 years, UNITE HERE
I have been summoned
🙋🏾♂️
Yurrr
Caught
Yep😂
After years of practice, hard work and determination, I can finally play this song on guitar hero 3!
I can’t 👀.
Bro, Eric Johnson literally responded to this one
Bro, watch who replied..
@@OfficialEricJohnson Never say can't, young man. You just need to practice and apply yourself ;-)
@@s2snider lmfao
I came here to pay homage to Cliffs of Dover, in honor of a lady's father. The lady told a story on Reddit, of how her rather stoic dad jammed out to this song and told her that this was the best music guitar performance ever. According to her, the dad died not long after, and this song stuck to her mind for years, until she was able to find it on UA-cam. Respect to her dad, and this wonderful guitarist. It is indeed the best guitar performance I've listened to in a while.
Can you post a link to the story?
Came here with the same reason.Here is the link.ua-cam.com/video/_5C3Lwh4V6o/v-deo.html
That’s how I got here too!
Oh my god I just saw that story came here too!
@@OfficialEricJohnson oh hi eric
Yo where can I get that jacket
Hey Tyler! Can you make a video, on how to achive his lead-tone?
wtf hi tyler
Denkmark Street, London, England.
You’re welcome ✌🏻
THAT jacket is way 2 small for you Tyler ! ;)
Yoooooooo
I'm here because a Reddit video of a person who used to ride in the car with their dad.This was their dad's favorite guitar solo song and I have to say it was definitely worth looking up
Same here , how mads that
Same
weird how the internet works right?
Same cuh
Yessir
He used to be a regular at a restaurant I worked at in Austin, I had heard him but didn't know what he looked like.. One day he was digging for some change and dumped his pockets on the counter.. a bunch of picks fell out and I said "oh that's cool you play guitar?" He replied "yeah a little..." 😅🤦♂️
That’s hilarious 😂
oh my god I would die on the spot
Was it Uno 360 in Westlake? I used to run into him a lot there.
That's so cool
I would've stole a pick from him thats worth like 100 bucks
This was FOURTEEN MONTHS before the song was even released. The world was not ready.
Yeah I first heard it on a local rock station in 1990. Didn't know it was around before that.
Neither was 8 year old me trying to play the song on expert in gh3 8-)
@@fizzjuty5798 bruh this song was lit on gh3
Amen.
The world was ready, it just took 14 months for the recording equipment to catch up to him playing it in the studio!!
I like how Eric is giving us two minutes of guitar practice first.
I’d call it more “foreplay” to the audience 😂
LOL
@@liamwagner9160 before "longtime"?
@@liamwagner9160 lolol thanks for that
And that "practice" sounds so damn good!!
Got home from a gig being a guitar hero at 3am in 1988. Popped a beer, turned on the TV, and saw this. I immediately became a guitar zero.
You are humble.
We're all subjects to the masters we allow ourselves to be subjects to. Except in this case, you're right. Johnson slays
Some people are players and some people are watchers. I became a watcher......
Well it could have been worse.... it could have been Tender Surrender by Steve Vai 😂
@@p.h.bridegroom4142Now that is something to see…
This is the best live clean tone ever recorded 100%, so clean it looks like a mexican mother’s home
OMG. That's so f**kin funny.😅
Does anyone know how he got it?
We must know different Mexicans
Lol
@@kingbumi3418 bridge pickup. Tone knob turned way down. Overdriven amp
Eric Johnson makes my favorite Italian food:
arpeggios
Chicken Wings yes.
Arpeggio is actually an Italian word
LMAO
Lol!
Scaloppine ;)
you know a song is bad-ass when its intro has an intro
I thought this whole song is the intro at first
Lol
Who's the guy in your pic?
@@gabrielramos3201 one of the bogdanoff twins
@@gabrielramos3201 mike Mceady he is lead guitarist in pearl jam
To whomever edited/directed this for video/broadcast, thank you for not leaving Eric’s hands for the entire intro.
Such a good point
Indeed, & camera man is a f*cking legend. Millions of guitarists are grateful to this unsung hero.
I respect the opinions of anyone who uses "whomever" in a sentence.
Austin City Limits was the best music show ever to air on TV.
Amen! That's why we're watching and not just listening. They know their audience.
Eric Johnson is the perfect combination of melodic and shred playing. One of the best of all time, imo
Melodic and shredding aren't exclusive tho. Melodic is the sound, shredding is play style / technique.
There’s a lot of shredding that is not super melodic. I think that’s what they are referring to. Guthrie Govan is another great example of both
The short text inside the printing of this CD describes EJ as "fire and finese." No better description is available, IMO.
@@sulfuras1985Buckethead be playing faster and better with a rubber chicken in one hand😂😂 he's on his own level fr
Idk what that means but I think I get rhe idea. This guy is on another level
I finally nailed that low E in the intro....now I gotta figure out the rest
I was playing this around 30 years ago ,,, wholly inequitably it seem's,, at 68 years old I still run the riff when I'm three beers down and feeling fogy,, Could'n't touch Eric with a ten foot pole after 50 Years,, :-)
@@MsScoooper you got me at the first half, not gonna lie.
The next note is high e on the 14th fret, bend it then mute and restart the same bend only 1/2 bend now. That'll have you busy today at least. It's a real finesse thing.
@@michaeltether2595 it's a joke lol
@@michaeltether2595 Oh that's the next part. Thank you, I've finally decided to fully commit to just listening to it on UA-cam and never touch my own guitars again!
the most in-tune strat ever recorded
Strat players will understand 😭
I don't get it
My LP & 335 are set up perfectly and they can’t hold tune nearly as much as my strats and tele.
If it’s set up right and has good quality specs then strats are great for tuning, I take mine everywhere and it’s gets banged about and even when I go nuts on he trem, I barely ever have to tune it
@@JMRMusic01 agreed. Strats are excellent for staying in tune.
I studied this song, practiced religiously. Months and months, every day after work. I'm proud to say..
I've got the first two bars down pat.
Bullshit you have two bars in such a short time
@@JayRiemenschneider lol
@@JayRiemenschneider tryng to learn this song SENT me to the bar!
NICE ONE 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Once you learn his descending 5s lick, it comes together, A BIT. But that finger and pick technique he's got going on right before the song kicks in for real, I'll never be able to get.... it's really two finger per string pentatonic but he makes it look so easy.....
The first time you heard eruption you said wow. The first time you heard this you didn't speak for three days but just hit repeat...
Best comment
This for me is on a whole other level of guitar playing. It’s not the fastest in the world (it’s goddamn close though), but it’s so insanely clean my mind is blown
So true. I’ll never forget the first time I heard this song. I was absolutely blown away.
I saw him play this in concert right after they had recorded it (so before it was released) and I thought
True! Anyway EVH passed away a couple of hours ago. RiP Eddie 🎸
I can do the part when he said thank you very much
yeah except no one is clapping when you say it.
Quiltface 😂😂
khalid king 300th like haha
@Sumit Arya Your cover is awesome, I'm glad I check it out, everyone should check out Sumit's cover =) (ua-cam.com/video/GPyuhlnmNUM/v-deo.html)
khalid king I can’t even fix my hair like dat!
This may be the only guitar "shredder" song that is universally loved by non-guitarists. This is a beautifully composed piece with a strong melodic hook.
This is the paradox of Eric Johnson, a lot of his songs are at the crossroad of pop and instrumental rock
Joe Satriani always with me always with you?
Perfectly said
True, I was trying to think of another one, I’m sure there is, but I can’t. I think Eric Johnson’s tone is perfect for a more mainstream “shredder” style. It’s a lot softer on the ear for non guitarists. I always loved this song before playing guitar, just because of guitar hero 3 lol.
I had loved this song when I first heard it after I first watched a performance on TV. But back then there was no internet. And apparently it did not come on the radio and I did not have the forethought to write the name down. Decades later at an arcade, I hear this song on Guitar Hero... OMG!!! 😱
This is the best guitar tone I've ever heard in my whole life. I play guitar 8 hours a day, every day. This is the best tone I've ever hear, recorded or not.
Cuz it’s 80 percent in his fingers
Absitively posolutely!!!
This is proof that it’s ok to look at the neck when you’re playing
Felt this comment
I find I look at the neck when improvising as a way to plan ahead more. But if I'm site reading music obviously that isn't an option.
@@PebelWasTaken True 🙂
Why wouldn't it be ok?
@@JustGeorge770 Neither way of playing is wrong it depends on the musical context. As a performer you want to engage your audiences. I play exclusively folk which is really easy almost muscle memory strumming. It's honestly not good to stare at your neck as a performer is situations like that.
His playing is so clean my acne cleared up
Not takin' effect on me :(
I wish lol
Good 4 you mate!🤟
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah dude, that was good
It's so clean that Jim Gaffigan used it in his stand up routine.
Honestly one of the most underrated guitarists of all time
If not the most
Uuum idk about that. He's hella famous
It could be argued that he is underrated, but he is also considered one of the greatest guitarist of all time. The underrating occurs when you add in "one of" to the statement.
Sonny Landreth
Underated for those who doesn't know guitar
This is the best guitar performance on UA-cam
If you look at his right hand you’ll clearly see he’s holding the pick of destiny
Dylan Derr So THAT'S what it is!!
That give supra natural powers
john_doe 97 lol it's like a whole level above super
Best comment on here by far 😂
I thought I had seen the POD....
Eric Johnson use to come into the coffee shop I worked at in Austin a few nights a week and he was always the sweetest man.
How lucky. Stay safe.
He's my hero
His Music is Vitamins for the soul!
Like his coffee I bet?
Every person I've ever heard talk about meeting him has said the same thing. It's tough in this day and age to not have a single bad story about someone this famous. He and Keannu stand above the rest of us (but have the humility to never remind us).
I can't even play this on my air guitar
hahaha!
lol ! i tried but the strings broke
this song makes me glad i'm not a musician... I can't listen to this much less play music this beautiful in front of people without shedding tears.
Me either
Lol
This performance is legendary for every guitarist out there.
And no distortion. Mid range CLEAR distinct chords and notes. This solo is MUCH better than anything you will hear from a hard rock guitar player. SO much more intricate. no power chords. no phoney noisy bullshit.
Yes....and also YOU are legendary
I don’t know what I want more: his astonishing guitar skills or that freaking jacket.
Both ✌️😎🤣☕️
James Tudor Are you serious!?
😂🤣 When I couldn't follow his fingers my eyes rolled away to the jacket.
Yes :D
Well its pretty simple really. It would take you four hours of work to save the money to buy that jacket, or 4 decades of work to play guitar like that. I would choose to play guitar like that. But thats just me. It is a nice jacket tho...
When guitars are born, they are warned about dudes like Eric Johnson..
Or, are those guitars the happiest guitars ever?!
This is awesome 😂
Yes!!!! Along with Hendrix, Blackmore, Vaughn and all the other string rapist that have been.
Lol
DTM 24 “String Rapist” lmao
Listening to memorialize the wonderful girl’s father who passed away before she could find out what the song was. He had amazing taste! And I’m so glad she gets to listen to this in it’s entirety whenever she wishes ❤️❤️❤️
Haha you came from there too? 🤣🤣
Someone already said this
Me too
I came from there too
Lmao not people coming cuz of that short
37 (!) years later, this remains a definitive and justifiably legendary performance. To this day, no one has combined this level of musicianship with this degree of melodicism, feel, and crazy good tone. And it comes time in the song for the solo, and you think he's going to hit you with some mind-boggling run....and he goes into the chord excursion! Genius. Eric was at his absolute peak during this time, and playing of this caliber will be cherished--and analyzed--for decades to come. What a generous gift he gave to the world.
I don't always listen to Eric Johnson, but when I do, so do the neighbors!!!
SAME! :D just rememebered this amazing performance again. Had to put it on my loudest speakers
So true
Haahaha fkn. Yes!!!
Right on 😎 and I tell them : you’re welcome ☺️
@@marytygett4189 Absolutely. LOL
So satisfying playing this
on Guitar Hero.
On easy mode.
Felt that
Well you are correct! Haha
Yup my favorite song so chill.
lol actually i think play this in a real guitar much more easier than guitar heroes expert mode
In case if someone was wondering, here's the time frame for the solo 0:00-6:11
We all know where the real solo within the solo is
Thanks bro
Gabriel dos Santos 4:50
@@TheMrsoulkitchen 4:28
Lol
1990, playing in a punk band in Chicago and I heard Eric was playing at the Cubby Bear. After band practice we all head to Wrigleyville and the show was sold out. Didn't matter as you could hear everything that was played on that stage, on the street. The three punks stood outside waiting to hear this song. Young, dumb, arrogant, self righteous and brash, we all shut the phuck up when we heard those first notes at 0:50.
The Jam was and is my favorite band of all time. My other two bandmates were fans of hardcore punk.
Didn't matter.
Freezing our asses off, staring at our hot body breath that exited our mouths, the flask stopped being passed as we listened to one of the greatest guitar players of our lives.
Just wonderful.
this guy practiced the night before
Easily lol. Imagine if he forget he had a concert and had no idea to play this so he had to cram lol
I'd have to practice my whole life right b4 lol
before millennium the like Moe
this guy practiced the life before*
Nahhh, he stayed at a Holiday Inn the night before.
This is the greatest tone I’ve ever heard.
For me brian may, but yes, i love this tone too
Yes, very cool tone.
U ain’t wrong son
He is known for being able to tell what kind of battery (Energizer-Duracell ect.) is in each different stomp box.
@@jazzram_ interesting seeing as how this show is your profile picture.
This is probably one of the most magical moments in guitar history.
Yup. One of those nights where you’re just “in the zone”. It’s a rare event. But it’s one of those things that just happens. Your confidence is unquestionable, and yeah, it just seems like you’re in a a different dimension (for the player).
Hendrix Band of Gypsies on New Year’s Eve I believe was another one of those rare times.
💯 absolutely stunning
Every guitar plays parts of this!…. But playing the whole thing is like swimming to the planet Jupiter!…. Imagine nailing this song live!…. 🤷🏼
I love this...and my debbie....
You are absolutely correct.
The perfect combination of shred and feel. No one else straddles the line like Eric. Simply one of the greatest ever, if not the most talented guitarist ever.
This performance isn't just clean, it's *S T E R I L E*
No, it is still warm! It is like the Chagall blue.
And he was injured here
@@jazzram_ wdym
@@averagegamer1618 his pinky was injured
@@jazzram_ oof howd he do it
this is for my husband Dave who passed away 7 yrs ago,his favorite
Well, Dave had good taste in music and wife. Thanks for honoring him, even now.
thank you
❤
I'm sorry for your loss. I'll enjoy the song in his honor 🍻
RIP Dave
Right on. RIP my man Dave.
I can’t even play air guitar like this.
LOL MATE
I can
Ok, no I can’t
That's an easy way to sprain your elbows.
I can. You just have to more your fingers really fast
you need more practice. I play air guitar and never ever have I missed any note. I make my air guitar sing.
I'm proud to say i can play this flawlessly on the air guitar!! If only in my own mind. lol
The bass player and drummer are supreme musicians too.
absolutely right
No
Ikr?? Omg the music they make together is amazing. They complement each other so well
Look up country bass solo
Just what the doctors ordered.
This was his best version ever of Cliffs of Dover. But, his most impressive tune of that night was Zap!
agreed
ye
From what I've heard Eric Johnson himself said he can't play it the same way he did in this video.
I actually like the studio version more but this one is definitely more complex
The opening atmospheric section is what really does it for me when it comes to this version.
Still epic in 2024
@ 2:58 when he finally hits a bum note that doesn't resonate and he shakes his head in disappointment in himself. It's actually refreshing to see that moment of humanity 💜
I caught that to.
I saw that too and I loved it.
Yeah, I was wondering if that's what I saw too. It still sounded great because he continued without missing a beat.
I've been there. It's so easy to let that affect your whole performance. He handled it like the true pro he is. :)
There is no wrong note only leading tones;)
The best thing about Eric Johnson next to his playing is how brilliant his fans are in the comments. Third place is the jacket.
Luke Maynard Ahahahahahahamuhahaha Lol oh shit! I was just saying that to my wife-these comments are gems.
Deal with the devil one was brilliant, definitely stealing that line
I've laughed so hard I've been crying. Lots of brilliance in here.
Nah the jacket is 1st place
My Chemical Romance should taken notes
Keep In mind that this song wasn’t commercially released until 1990. This is nearly a full 2 years before that. What a revelation it must have been to those who saw it live
A key point of understanding for those of us who care about those things, thanks for making it !
Well jason becker was a thing before 1990 and hes been melting peoples faces off with his guitar skills since he was a child i love this song and eric johnson but if you like this you should listen to jason beckers perpetual burn album thats the absolute apex of guitar playing
perpetual burn kinda sucks
@@LuciousMidnite Becker was an insane guitarist, but I think he went a little too hard and didn’t really put out good music. He’s basically just showing off that he can shred at insane speeds
There's a version from 84 as well
If we are to believe UA-cam, Eric Johnson only ever composed and played one song in his entire career
He really went the extra mile to prove live was better than studio. Hope everyone loves this as much as me :)
It is quite epic. Eric Johnson is still amazing to this day, some could say he's been surpassed.. but i'd say he's made his way into Legendary status. Guy rips and has a signature sound
Live is almost always better than studio
This was *before* he even recorded the studio version. It's crazy how much he improved it in such a short time. Check out his 1984 ACL performance of this song - a lot rougher in every way. This performance was basically a perfect storm of playing. He had a good day for a lot of reasons. Most performers can recognize those inexplicably great days to perform, and this must've been one of them.
Sound guy was also killing it with a stereo lexicon reverb. Really adds to the atmosphere.
Unreal guitarist
I doubt that, given the most played time stamps, most just skipped straight to the studio part of the song.
Wow my strat doesnt sound like this one. Gotta return it.
your strat is probably a chinese made 100 dolar one
It doesn't sound good cuz ur bad at guitar
@@THESlammethy Don't blame your lack of skills on the strat. Just face it, you're bad at guitar.
@@Lemon-st3mf Dude. It was a joke. I dont even play this style of music. Lol.
@@THESlammethy You know what's a joke? Your guitar skills.
Song gives me chills, I remember being in my basement in 2007, im playing halo 3 online and next to me on his Xbox is my brother playing GH3 cliffs of Dover, I would kill to go back to these days.
Dayummm 2007 I was 3 🤣and now I’ll be 18 soon
dam I would have just been born that year
@@timgooby5776 Dang you are young. It reminds me that I’m finally getting old.
@@dreamcatcherismylifesuppor2348 bruh we we’re born the same year 2004 gang 💯
@@pizzaman9859 Bruh this year we’ll be 18😭
My 3 month old daughter wouldnt stop crying until I put this on for her. It was amazing, she went to sleep instantly! And I man INSTANTLY! The magic of Johnson's guitar hit her like a bolt of lightning. She was mid-cry and her eyes shot open wide, face relaxed, arms outstretched and she froze. Then her eyes slowely lowered as she became mezmerized by the melody... But then halfway through his extended solo introduction she couldnt tell if he was going anywhere so she started screaming again, but when the song actually started, she INSTANTLY fell asleep!
This is really one of the greatest live electric guitar performances ever. To play something this long, this technical, and to nail it like this is otherworldly.
He was rushing a lot in this performance though
You should check out machine gun at Fillmore east
@@liambaulman Not even close bruh
@@selliantuttimusi6735 it's always something with you, isn't it?
@@selliantuttimusi6735 agree...seems nervous. he was a boy. still one of the all time great performances.
My strat doesn't sound anything like this. I must have got a defective one.
You bought the wrong one you should have bought the crappy Chinese built stratocaster for it to sound like this
@@doomslayerplushie6662 cheers to that
yeah it's totally the guitar's fault
The tone is in the hands. (And the amp and cabinet, the guitar does almost nothing to the tone)
@@damiangentile27 I disagree. A Strat has a different tone than a Telecaster, as do any number of Gibsons. Effects pedals can also play a role, but I don’t see them in this performance.
This has to be one of the greatest electric guitar instrumentals of all time. 😃
CANoN RocK
the strat is one of the best to be fair
it's my favorite and I love hendrix and vaughn too.
@@bryanmack7463 nowhere near Jimi Hendrix voodoo child live at Maui or Van Halens Eruption.
It DEFINITELY is.
Thanks Guitar Hero for introducing this to me as a kid.
“So Mr. Johnson where do you want the solo in this song?”
“Yes”
So funny every time I read that comment.
@@JimAllisonRealEstate lmao
I want to like this comment but the amount is perfect
its still the same! 469! i expected it to be different.
Eric Johnson's guitar playing is soothing to the ears! Btw guys Our first track "inner dimensions" is out and we hope we did our mentors proud!
ua-cam.com/video/v20kKBgK8Hg/v-deo.html
The camera man must have surely been a guitarist. Pretty much focussed on the fretboard for the most part.
Finally.
He had been adviced to do that.
3:14
This is from a live music tv program "Austin City Limits". I'm sure the camera operator has filmed plenty of guitarists before.
I know right pisses me of about a lot of Hendrix videos they are always looking at his face, like yeah, Jimi is one cool looking dude but im far more interested in looking at his guitar playing. They are very few that do tho, really annoying.
Most of that tone is in that jacket
Where can i buy that
don't forget the hair...
Haaaaa
@@jazzram_ You don’t buy it. You join your local high school marching band and get issued one 😜
@@psyberiusblack 😂
Always remember the fond memories of me throwing my guitar in the bin after watching this.
The people who disliked are just mad because they couldn’t beat this song in guitar hero
LOL
On Medium 💀💀💀
Eric Johnson's guitar playing is soothing to the ears! Btw guys Our first track "inner dimensions" is out and we hope we did our mentors proud!
ua-cam.com/video/v20kKBgK8Hg/v-deo.html
@@midnightmadnessbandx get out. Leave.
With the controller... On hard.
Two questions:
1. How do you get THAT tone on a Strat. He's playing on the bridge single coil and it sounds fatter than a hippo.
2. How is it even physically possible to play that entire thing perfectly. Not just perfect as in he hit every note, but perfect percussion on every note, didn't drop or increase a millisecond below or above tempo, etc.. The playing seriously makes me question if I'm living in a computer simulation. That is simply alien, or influenced by divinity, or something.
Butler Audio Tube Driver has a lot to do with his lead tone.
@@carlhardwickofficial I also heard about him rolling off the tone when he plays on the bridge setting. Not sure if that helps but worth a mention.
@@srgfkct3544 lol youre an idiot if you think you can get to this level in a couple of years
You need to take into consideration his pickup specs. They're AlNiCo. They're naturally fatter (boosted at low frequencies). I can say this 'cause I own his Signature model. Other than that, his tone depends on his touch. It couldn't be reproduced by anyone. It's just so perfect.
@@srgfkct3544 yeah and the other 19 hours of the day praying all types of gods in the existence.
The lady who lost her dad brought me here . When it started to play I recognized it right away and remembering my kids playing guitar hero 🤣. Awesome memories
I think the half of the people came here because of that vid
@@Dexxq where dju watch it my friend? please let me know
@@itsfryzz4414 idk anymore 😅
Same reason😂
@@itsfryzz4414 it's from a reddit video with the question "What was a childhood mystery that was solved years later."
PBS needs to put these old episodes in full rotation.
Guitar World says Eric Johnson wrote Cliffs of Dover in 5 minutes. It beats me how anyone could write a song that's over 6 minutes long in 5 minutes.
Just a load of exercises joined together in an unholy mess! Next please......!😴
@@Super241946 you have got to be joking right
@@edwardcrews3174 No Edward...quite serious!
Perhaps a figure of speech?
Ctrl+c ctrl+v
Person curious about guitar: "How many notes are there on a guitar neck?"
Eric: "Gimme a sec..." 4:58
"I bought the whole fretboard, I'm gonna use the whole fretboard"
When you watch in 2x speed he's taken steroids.
@@ottodregni1902 steroids dont make you fast. Stimulants do
Hes only playing 5 notes in different octaves, the pentatoninc scale (what hes playing in) only has 5 notes. But that doesnt make it less impressive
6 strings. From 21 to 24 frets. Now you can multiply.
This live version always sounded better than the studio version imo. It's incredible that he can play that cleanly live. Absolutely unreal.
Degen Gibs everyone makes mistakes 3:00
I can't give you a thumbs up as you are at 42, which we know is the answer. I do agree, his live music is the best.
I saw him with a friend in the late 90's at Bogart's in Cincinnati OH.
Before the concert we walk into Mikes music, next to Bogart's, and hear this beautiful music, not your normal music store wank fest. Low and behold, we walk up and it was EJ killing it on an old Fender blackface. One of the greatest moments of my life.
100% agree. This is the only song where I can wholeheartedly say I prefer the live version. This performance is absolute perfection.
No one cares
@@cuickoo1085 Yes I noticed that one mistake too.
Just had the Karaoke guy where is sing play this between people singing. Was up on the video screen as well. The reception by all in the house was “shock and awe”. Can’t believe how many people have never heard this before.
4 years in a row every morning when I wake up I play this and my mood changes immediately to a great and hope status. honestly it really helps
Thank you for listening!
@@OfficialEricJohnson Shouldn't you be rehearsing for G3 now Mr Johnson, not reading comments on UA-cam! LOL just kidding and can't wait to see you again :)
@@OfficialEricJohnsonAbsolute legend 💪 Almost brings a tear to my eye listening/watching this. You've used your time wisely!
Same here 😭
@@OfficialEricJohnsonhello you absolute legend
When i was a kid, my friends practiced football, I practiced guitar, I can kick my guitar 60 yards.
AHAHHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHA man I'm crying 😂😂 you made my day
Holy f*ck 🤣🤣
That’s pretty fucking far
@Alexander Nee interesting take on China.
Thats impressive
I remember plugging my Walkman into my high school’s auditorium sound system. Got suspended for 3 days for it, but man it sounded so good.
W... t... f... ur a legend though..
we found the sigma, boys!!!
Who cares
About your school? You are a real one my man🤟🏼💯💯
@@hathaway.1166 y e s
Fucking legendary
12/27/24 - Found out about this song because of a lady whos dad passed away had this song stuck on her head for over 16 years. I wish you could see how much you've help get this song known in 2024 by those who never knew this song existed.
What in the hell. I’ve never seen someone play a guitar like this guy. Incredible masterpiece
I came here because of the reddit thing
@@KrowTheGreat That's cause you're lame af.
ONE name..... VAN HALEN
@@Lostdwarf yngwie steve vai joe satarianna stevie ray vaughn the kids good but he was a flash in the pan
@@Lostdwarf dude, he s THE ONE
Also let’s just recognize how great the bassist is, I have zero clue on his name but he’s shredding too
Lazmo Snack absolutely true
His name is Kyle Brock 😎🎸🎶
Hats off kyle brock...well played
Damn true the bassist just right for the job
They all rock
For the people that are searching the reddit lady's story about her dad:
"I remember being about 8, and in the car with my dad. I was in the front seat and we were driving somewhere, and this song came on the radio. He cranked it and said something about it being the best guitar playing ever. He really jammed out, which was really uncharacteristic because he was usually so stoic. It was the only time I heard the song, and he died before I could ever ask him what song it was. When I asked around, no one knew wtf I was talking about or what song I was thinking of.
So I had this melody in my head for years, but how do you look up a song that has no lyrics? So for years and years, this song stayed on the back burner in my brain. I was afraid to forget it. Somehow this story pops up when I'm like 26 or so, chatting with my husband and we searched UA-cam for "best guitar songs". After about 15 minutes, we find it. Cliffs of Dover was the song that I'd burned into my brain on repeat for 16 years. Now I jam out to it with my kids."
Join me this Thursday June 9th at 11 AM PST/1 PM CST/2 PM EST for a @reddit AMA. I’ll be chatting and answering questions in the r/music subreddit! @OfficialEricJohnson
I’m calling bs. I’m not sure what radio station would ever play this. It’s not mainstream enough.
Swiss sarah it's called The Bone Florida rock station from the early 90s they have played it a few times that I can remember personally
Swiss Sarah - WXPK aka The Peak in Briarcliff Manor (Westchester County) New York. FYI not all radio stations play mainstream music exclusively.
@@swisssarah Lost Not Forgotten by Dream Theater was on the radio a few weeks back. Not all radio is mainstream
Thats the way i played..
Then I awake and look around me
At four grey walls that surround me
And I realize, yes, I was only dreaming.
Some fool actually said this is tedious scaling. WTF? Listen to yngvie for 5 minutes and you fall asleep. This playing is melodic and fluid and chordal and chromatic and Tonal beyond my wildest dreams. I hear chords of heaven and melodies like years of love and devotion to old hymns and classic songs. God bless Eric with a long life and more love to come
ua-cam.com/video/mQlY7jwl_Us/v-deo.html
His note selection in his solos is tasty, cerebral, and beyond impressive. So damn interesting. Some folks just don't know what the hell they are listening too huh?
Eric Johnson is good weed music. Yngvie Malmsteen is good speeding ticket music.
Well said
@Eddie Gooden hey bro I got your back
This was one of my little brother's favorite songs. He died 6 years ago in a bike crash . Every time I listen to this song I can see him smile like he's here and I cry ❤
Time heals you. Sorry for your loss brother.
Sorry to hear this
I am sorry for the loss of your brother. They say time heals all wounds but...
Be the strongest you can be.
Sure
My youngest son loved it as well, tried so hard to play it, I lost him 9 yrs ago
That tone, man! That TONE!!!
Just amazing
He has a hell of a pedalboard and back line but it all starts with that unbelievable 1954 Strat “Virginia” !!
Pretty sure his hands can’t replicate the sound of an overdrive, reverb, delay, and chorus. Unless he’s got some sort of advanced technology I don’t know about. So I’m pretty sure it’s not all in his playing
@CarFreak Ok cool, sorry if I sounded hostile. It just seems like some people are convinced that all of guitar tone is in the hands and gear doesn't matter. I agree that he has special way of playing and phrasing that no one can replicate, thats why he's one of the best.
Folks in this audience were very fortunate to see musicians of this caliber in a relatively intimate setting , most amazing
Somehow I can't imagine a performance like that WITHOUT that jacket.
And a pair of jeans
I just randomly took my car for a ride just to hear this song as loud as possible.
Alex Zamora IT WASNT RANDOM MATE, ROCK ON 🤘
You didn't go far then
whome0653 What is a DAC? Thx
I do it all the time. Therapy
I'm glad there are still people out there good man
It should be a federal offense for someone to play that clean.
So glad someone else understands how amazing it really is to see someone play with his accuracy. Especially for playing 12 notes per second. Anyone can play fast. But to play fast with perfect accuracy is a rare gift!
In my opinion, Eric Johnson, Govan, and Malmsteen are by far the most accurate players of the instrument.
I KNOW RIGHT
AND WITH HYBRID PICKING
AND WITH THOSE STIFF FINGERS
IM SO MAD RIGHT NOW
Pff, playback.
:D
@@zedsdeadzedsdead5959 gotta add buckethead on there
Still here in 2024 and going strong!
Mr Johnson, I showed this to my 8 year old daughter and she had tears in her eyes. She wanted to take your picture to school the next day and tell her classmates about you and your strat. So I promptly printed one and Cliffs of Dover will be played in class. The teacher agreed to this. I will never forget seeing Julie cry when she listened to you playing this magical song. Greetings from Belgium! Julie and Jürgen.
That is awesome!!!
A lovely story !
i'll be 56 this summer, and listening to this brings tears to MY eyes!
Is one of the most weird songs ever. A happy piece bringing tears?
this did not happen
His fingers move faster than the frame rate of my monitor. What an incredible talent!
Yeah, I also had such a bad monitor once...
dude how bad is your monitor
@@samalewine9845 Joke, you stupid shit.
Not talent, but skill
100 notes per minute = 100 fps
I could listen to Eric Johnson shred scales all day with that tone. It's like warm butter.
Butter isnt warm.
If butter were warm, it would be salty milk.
Methinks you mean smooth.
Same
Harley Likes Magic literally what he meant by “warm butter” 🤦🏼♀️
Harley Likes Magic Boi you warm butter to make it softer and smoother if you pulled it out of the fridge it like a block you can barely spread it just warm it up a bit and wallah soft warm butter
The moment you realize an argument might break out in a comment section over butter
When I was in college I was studying radio broadcasting. I volunteered/interned at the community college radio station and was the board operator of the afternoon jazz program. The show’s host chose the music and one day he told me to play this song. That was in the summer of 1990. I’ve loved the song ever since.
I’m returning my Strat tomorrow, I got robbed, I can’t find half of those notes on mine!
LOL
Send it to me :)
That's because this Strat was a limited edition that came exclusively with the "guitar genius" pack. Unfortunately
Those are only on the Eric Johnson signature models. Hope this helped.
Damn son.. lol😁🇺🇸