At a relatively small performance, frontman of the rock band Creed proclaimed they would improvise a song live on stage, and that seems to be where they crafted a significant portion of their hit single.
Creed's Breakout Hit "Higher" Born on Stage
In the early days of their career, American rock band Creed found themselves in a predicament - they didn't have enough songs to fill their setlists. This predicament led to a serendipitous moment during one of their gigs, where the band improvised a new song on stage, giving birth to their eventual breakout hit, "Higher."
With a small audience of around 50 people, drummer Scott Phillips started a simple 4/4 beat at around 155bpm, while guitarist Mark Tremonti crafted the signature riff live. Singer Scott Stapp, in the moment, made up the lyrics, resulting in the creation of "Higher" on the spot [1][3].
This improvisation and live origin of "Higher" eventually contributed to it becoming their defining anthem in 1999. Released as the lead single from the album "Human Clay" on 31 August 1999, "Higher" peaked at No.7, spending a total of 57 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 [2].
Tremonti believes that writing at soundchecks can be beneficial because musicians know how it feels with the whole band in various venues. He expressed his love for seeing grown men and women cry when playing old songs that they've grown up with, especially when they see it live for the first time after listening to it for 20 years [4].
The song's chorus is about reflecting on and achieving a lifelong dream and creating an idealistic ambition to create heaven on earth. Tremonti, who joined in with a Drop-D major riff based around the open position, seventh, and fifth frets, with some embellishments on the G-string, wasn't sure about the exact gear used for the "Human Clay" sessions but mentioned it could have been the Hughes & Kettner Attax 100 or a Mesa/Boogie Rectifier for distorted tones and Fender Twins for cleans [5].
In the years since, "Higher" has become a sporting anthem. Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney revealed that his team listened to Creed before big games in their 2023 playoff run. The song continues to have a powerful effect on audiences, especially since Creed reunited in 2009 [6].
Tremonti revealed that a Gibson Les Paul was likely used on the recording of "Higher," despite him holding a PRS guitar in the music video [5]. He stated that the dynamics were the secret to the gargantuan guitar tones on "Human Clay." Singer Scott Stapp encouraged the band to improvise in real-time during shows to avoid disappointing small audiences [3].
For Creed, "Higher" is not just a song; it's a testament to their resilience, creativity, and the power of music. As Tremonti put it, "Music is the most magical thing in the world, being the closest thing we have to magic." [4]
References: [1] https://ultimateclassicrock.com/creed-higher-backstory/ [2] https://www.billboard.com/music/creed/chart-history/hot-100-singles/higher-1289482 [3] https://www.songfacts.com/facts/creed/higher [4] https://www.guitarworld.com/news/mark-tremonti-talks-creed-higher-and-the-importance-of-live-music [5] https://www.guitarworld.com/news/mark-tremonti-reveals-gear-used-on-creed-s-human-clay [6] https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9454631/creed-scott-stapp-reunite-tour-2019
During that fateful performance, Creed came up with their defining anthem "Higher" through impromptu music-making, blending entertainment and music. Today, the song's powerful impact extends beyond the realm of music, resonating prominently in the realm of sports.
