Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson

Album: Ah Via Musicom (1990)

License This Song

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

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Teen Spirit was a kind of deodorant marketed to young girls. That's where Kurt Cobain got the title "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Down UnderMen at Work

Often heard as a patriotic song celebrating their homeland of Australia, "Down Under" by Men At Work is really about the selling of that country, and it makes a strong political statement.

China GroveThe Doobie Brothers

There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.

IronicAlanis Morissette

The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

Do You Want To DanceBobby Freeman

Bobby Freeman's '50s hit "Do You Want To Dance" was also a Hot 100 hit for Del Shannon, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, Bette Midler and the Ramones.

Beautiful LoserBob Seger

Bob Seger's song "Beautiful Loser" was inspired by book Leonard Cohen published in 1966 called Beautiful Losers.