Cliffs of Dover

Album: Ah Via Musicom (1990)
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Songfacts®:

  • Johnson is renowned for his musicianship as a guitarist. This instrumental is his best known song, and won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
  • Johnson talked about this song in an interview with Starpolish: "It was a fluke, it really was. I remember writing that song, and my mom was actually rehearsing, and she said, 'That's a really nice song, that's going to be something.' And I thought, I don't know, it's just another song. But she was real encouraging about it. It was one of those songs that came to me in five minutes, and it almost sounds like it's derived from something else, the melody. But it was just one of those things that happened and by default became a hit. I mean, it's got a nice melody to it and its got joy to it, and I so guess by default it worked out anyhow, although it wasn't a typical climate to embrace instrumental pieces."
  • This song is featured in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Comments: 13

  • Carlos Pessoa from Bertioga, Brasilthere's another cool fact: Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine (During a conversation with Total Guitar) says:

    "(...) And though Eric Johnson isn't particularly metal, 'Cliffs of Dover' is one of the most beautiful guitar songs I've heard in my life."

    "This is going to sound so lame, but when I took a ferry around those cliffs, I made sure to listen to that song… and I get it. I know why he called it that, and it's such an amazing thing to see."
  • Joe from Grants Pass, OrRoscoe Beck (bassist ) is one of my faves !!!
  • Adam from Perry, NyIt makes me laugh how all these crappy hip hop singers (cough, cough nikki minaj, justin bieber) try hard to get a good song with their horrible singing, yet Eric Johnson just plays cliffs of dover and gets a grammy. Rock on m/
  • Luke from Baton Rouge, LaAwesome.
  • Zan-d Mack from Springfield, MoThis song rocks, but it doesn't sound too peaceful to me. When I hear it, I imagine people engaging in BASE jumping or some other extreme sport...........people having a good time, in other words.
  • Jarod from Las Vegas, NvTo me... when I hear this song... I think of a peaceful place. Maybe somewhere solitary... I'm at peace. There's nothing but natural beauty, all around me, and it's easy to forget about my problems.
  • Jenny from Indianapolis, InHe is one tight guitarist! I love this song.
  • Steven from Shepparton, Australiafantastic guitar player.
  • Adam from Yarmouth, MeThis song is unbelivible. love it.
  • Lorelei from Ellsworth, Mesick song,nuff said.
  • Henry from Baltimore, Mderic johnson is a beast
  • Daniel from Jacksonville, Flthis is a great song! i found it on GH 3, and i liked it, so i looked up the song, and its amazing!! good instrumentals!
  • Eric from Ridgecrest, CaBest instrumental I've ever heard
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