At the small concert, Creed's frontman declared their impromptu plan: composing a song on stage for all to witness - a claim that apparently led to the creation, or at least a significant part, of their groundbreaking hit.
In the world of rock music, few songs have resonated as deeply with audiences as Creed's "Higher." Since the band's reunion in 2009, the powerful ballad has continued to captivate listeners, finding a special place in the hearts of fans and even becoming a sporting anthem, particularly for the Texas Rangers.
The origins of "Higher" can be traced back to the band's frustration at not having enough songs to fill out their set. Guitarist Mark Tremonti, who composed the music for the song, often relied on improvisation during performances to keep small audiences engaged. This spontaneous approach to music-making also played a significant role in the creation of "Higher."
Singer Scott Stapp, on the other hand, was responsible for the lyrics. He began by penning the chorus, which reflects on achieving a lifelong dream and creating an idealistic ambition to create heaven on earth. Tremonti then joined in, contributing a Drop-D major riff based around the open position, seventh, and fifth frets, with some embellishments on the G-string.
During the recording of "Higher," Tremonti primarily used a Gibson Les Paul, as he mentioned in an interview with MusicRadar. The song was not finished in time for inclusion on Creed's 1997 debut album My Own Prison but was ready for their 1999 follow-up, Human Clay. "Higher" was released as the lead single from the album on 31 August 1999 and peaked at No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending a total of 57 weeks on the chart.
The Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney revealed that his team listened to Creed before the big games of their 2023 playoff run, and fans at the game were encouraged to sing along to "Higher." The song has since become a fixture at sports events, with its uplifting message and powerful guitar tones resonating with athletes and fans alike.
Mark Tremonti believes that the dynamics played a significant role in the gargantuan sound of the guitar tones on Human Clay. He also stated that when writing new records, they try to make the songs more of a challenge or more of a fun experience for live performances, which likely contributed to the enduring appeal of "Higher."
During a fixture against the Houston Astros, band members of Creed made an appearance, with drummer Scott Phillips kicking off the creation of "Higher" with a simple 4/4 beat at around 155bpm. The band's chemistry and jam-based creation influenced the final form of "Higher," making improvisation a key element in its development.
While the exact steps of the song's creation may not be fully documented, the band's general creative process shows improvisation had a meaningful impact on how their songs, including "Higher," were written. The result is a song that continues to inspire and uplift, both on the radio and in the stadium.
The improvisational approach to music-making during Creed's performances played a significant role in the creation of "Higher," with guitarist Mark Tremonti relying on improvisation to keep small audiences engaged. Today, "Higher" has become a fixture at sports events, with its powerful guitar tones and uplifting message resonating with athletes and fans alike.
