Tears in Heaven
By
Eric Clapton
Shaun Dunn
Pd 3- 4
11 Nov 2011
Tears In Heaven: Genre
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Genre: Rock
Definition: Musical style
that arose in the U.S. in the
mid-1950s and became the
dominant form of popular
music in the worldIts roots
lay principally in rhythm
and blues (R&B) and
country music.
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Other vocabulary: ballad:
A ballad is a form of
verse, often a narrative set
to music
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(Encyclopedia Brittanica, Rock
music)
Tears in Heaven: Backstory
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Clapton wrote this about
his 4-year-old son
Conor, who died when
he fell out of a 53rd
floor window in the
apartment.
(“Tears in HeavenWikipedia”)
(“Tears in Heaven”)
Tears in Heaven: Datafile
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Release date: Jan 1992
Album/CD: Rush
Review: Rush is an
…excellent soundtrack
album (which) produced one
big hit for Clapton with
"Tears in Heaven," but it's a
wonderfully intense piece of
work all the way through,
with some terrific guitar
work from Clapton himself.
(Rush Soundtrack)
Tears in Heaven: Lyrics
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Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong,
and carry on
Cause I know, I don't belong
Here in heaven
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Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please
(instrumental)
Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more...
Tears in heaven
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way,
through night and day
Cause I know, I just can't stay
Here in heaven
Will you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
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Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
(Eric Clapton- Tears in Heaven Lyrics)
Tears in Heaven: Mood
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MOOD: Sadness, melancholoy
and grief.
Musical elements: solo vocals- in
a sense leave him alone, Acoustic,
steel guitars, and violins leave a
sadness in the sound that sounds
like crying
Lyrics: “Would you know my
name, if I saw you in heaven?”
The eternal question for those
who have lost someone. “Time
can bring you down, time can
bend your knee”…His sense of
being broken, like a man beaten to
the point where he can no longer
stand, is clear in this line.
Tears in Heaven: Theme
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There are many themes in the song “Tears in
Heaven.”. First as the lyrics show, he is grieving the
loss of his son. “Would you know my name” shows
how he is hoping that a reunion is at all possible, but
wondering if it is. Secondly, he is also showing his
personal brokenness with the line, “time can bring
you time can bend your knee.” Finally, I think
through the sadness though, Eric Clapton also shows
what love really means, that when you love someone
truly and wholly, they area part of you, like an arm, or
a leg, and just as you would take care of those parts
you should take care of those you love.
Tears in Heaven: Author’s
Biography
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Eric Patrick Clapton was born on 30 March
1945.
Raised in a musical household.
Greatest influence is the legendary bluesman
Robert Johnson.
Currently married and has three children
(“Eric Clapton Biography”)
Tears in Heaven
Eric’s Accomplishments
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founder or member of many legendary rock groups: Yardbirds,
Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos.
battled heroin and alcohol addiction until finally becoming sober
in 1987 and starting the Crossroads Center to help others with
addiction.
only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (as a
member of both the Yardbirds and Cream and as a solo artist).
won or shared in eighteen Grammy Awards.
contributed to numerous artists’ albums, including George
Harrison’s composition, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” as
well as Aretha Franklin, Steven Stills, Bob Dylan, Elton John,
Plastic Ono Band, Ringo Starr, Sting, and Roger Waters.
(“Eric Clapton Biography”)
Works Cited
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"rock music: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com: Wiki Q&A combined
with free online dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedias. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov.
2011. <http://www.answers.com/topic/rock-music>.
"Tears in Heaven - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia. N.p., 8 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tears_in_Heaven
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Mikkelson, Barbara and David. “Tears in Heaven.” Snopes.com. 8 Nov 2011
<http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/tears.asp>
“Eric Clapton- Tears in Heaven Lyrics.” Lyrics007.com. 8 Nov 2011
<http://www.lyrics007.com/Eric%20Clapton%20Lyrics/Tears%20In%20Heaven%2
0Lyrics.html>
"Rush Soundtrack CD Album." CD Universe - Your Online Music Store. N.p., n.d.
Web. 12 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/
1958, Rock, Roll had exploded onto the world. For his 13th birthday, and when he
was 16. "Eric Clapton Biography | Eric Clapton." Eric Clapton - Collector's Edition
Blues Box Set . N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ericclapton.com/ericclapton-biography?page=0%2C0>.