The riff isn't that good to be played so long. In fact, no riff should be played that long unless you're practicing. By yourself.

Not one of Eric's finest moments but it is good to hear something different.

boring MOR rock ad nauseum, no place here!

Thank you all for the information.
This is really a great song!

iMacomania wrote:

Looks like, from the Amazon reviews, it's a lady named Marcy Levy. For some reason I always thought it was Merry Clayton, who sang backup to the Stones' "Gimme Shelter."

An excellent track, my favorite of Clapton's.

iMacomania wrote:
According to some searching, Marcy Levy (later calling herself Marcella Detroit), who was also in Shakespear's Sister. She also wrote and sang on "Lay Down Sally."

I love a good internet search challenge :)

OK this sounds like a really bad wedding band.

Wow !!.... This is a hot number. It must be getting on towards afternoon.

I second that emotion.

honu wrote:

Who is singing there with Eric?

And The Genius continues to mesmerize me at the slightest hint of his guitar work. He's an awesome writer, as well. Glad I am part of "the Clapton Experience" (no disrespect to Jimi H) while it lasts.

Maybe this song would actually be good for a remake--- it's a great riff, and the guitar playing is great,but the production is a bit watery, and the sax. solo is lame, and the structure could build a bit better..

A remake with E.C.'s band now would probably sound GREAT!

olsaltybastard wrote:

And long.

Typesbad wrote:

Me too. This tune smokes!

Too repetative for me.

Simply one of the best comments I have read here on RP. Thanks, atticus, for reminding us what music can accomplish.


atticus wrote:

honu wrote:

Whoa! I use this "Tears In Heaven" song with my students. To teach them the healing power of words and song... of poetry. In fact, we just watched the movie called In America about an Irish family who suffer the loss of their little boy, and little brother and then immigrate to New York City (Great movie!) Next week, we'll listen to Clapton's tribute, a father's prayer. Sure, "Tears In Heaven" has been played a lot--and that's probably why it's beginning to lose something (though I don't think so). Hey, and I think I did hear he stopped performing it in public, just so the song wouldn't lose any more of its deeper, private meaning. That, and Clapton wouldn't have to listen to the grey people.

Man, what color is your world?

My kids always get quiet after we listen to the song, and read the words, talk about why he wrote the song... even the gang-bangers go silent. Then they end up writing about their own lives and deaths.

Saw Clapton in San Jose last year. Good show. Not great, a bit too polished. Almost like he was going through the motions. But... he still delivered. Glad I got the chance to see him.

amymich wrote:

This is Marcy Levy, not Yvonne Elliman. Marcy Levy also did backing vocals on Lay Down Sally.

typically amazing guitar work, wonderful singing, tight ensemble work.

Oh, and the saxophone is pretty sweet, too.

Isn't this about the time he stopped all the drug abuse? That can change a lot of things about an artist's music inspiration.


thewiseking wrote:

I'm sharing this link in case anyone else doesn't know who this lovely vocalist is singing with Clapton. =)

(click here)

Not a lot of compelling work from Clapton after Derek and the Dominos, but I'm okay with this one.

I agree, at least for the most part. He certainly has tried. His blues projects are interesting. To me his sound is sterile and formulaic--with a few notable exceptions.
But he can have a place in R&R heaven for his work with Cream. Especially Wheels of Fire and specifically Crossroads.
thewiseking wrote:

honu wrote:

I respect (or should I say forgive?) the reason he made tears in heaven (the death of his son). That doesn't mean I should have to like the song. For me it is also a little (or maybe lot) too poppy, but to each his/her own I guess.

i'm sure that there are quite a few bald, pot bellied old boomers for whom "this rocks"
i beg to differ.
clapton has not done a damn thing since derek and the dominos. period.

Someone else hates "Tears in Heaven" as much as I do? I can't believe it. Since day one that song has been on my most grating songs ever list. I know what it's about and it has some value because of that but there's just something just so crappy about it.

Near the end of my high school days I used to hang out with my best friend in my '64 bug and blast this song with the windows closed and we'd sing along at the top of our lungs. Brings a smile to think about it.

Never really considered the lyrics before, but if you know much about the blue flame that Sufism and Buddhism refer to as the internal drive to know truth, it's cool to think of it that way...


Every morning when I wake, a feeling soon begins to overtake me.
Ringing in my ears resounds through my brain; it finally surrounds me.
There is fire, there is life, there is passion, fever and fury.
There is love and there is hate, there is longing, anger and worry.

Oh, I am a flame; feel it touch my heart.
And down at my core is the hottest part.
I can run without fear.

If it should become too cold, I know I can endure the frostbite.
Oh, a blanket then I'll wrap around me; I keep myself so close to my sight.
No one then can cause me harm, just as the river runs into the sea.
'Cause every day, a fire alarm is deafening the silence all around me.

Chorus

It is burning.
It is burning.

You can trust me; we can laugh. Together we can share our sorrow.
I will give you secrets too, an attitude that you may borrow.
Gypsy woman said to me, "One thing you must bear in your mind:
You are young and you are free, but damned if you're deceased in your own lifetime."

Oh, you have a flame; feel it in your heart.
And down at the core is the hottest part.
We can run without fear.

It is burning.
It is burning.

Old_Pool_Skunk wrote:
Exactly!

When I first heard this song so many years ago, I realized that Clapton had left the building of innovative music, leaving all the work to Page and especially Beck