Six Strings Down

Eric Clapton

About Six Strings Down

"Six Strings Down" is a blues song recorded by Jimmie Vaughan in 1994. It is a tribute to his brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died in 1990, and the memory of other deceased guitarists. The song was written by Art Neville, Eric Kolb, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, Kelsey Smith, and Vaughan. It first appeared on Vaughan's album Strange Pleasure, in 1994. The song was originally performed as an acoustic blues. The opening line, "Alpine Valley, in the middle of the night", refers to the Alpine Valley Music Theater, near East Troy, Wisconsin, where the helicopter carrying Stevie Ray Vaughan and several others crashed following a concert in 1990. The song also mentions several other deceased blues guitarists: Jimi Hendrix (as the "voodoo chile"), Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, and Lightnin' Hopkins. Its refrain includes the lyric "Heaven done called another blues stringer back home". Later versions of the song have been performed as electric blues with accompaniment. Live recordings include a 1996 tribute concert to Stevie Ray Vaughan, with Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, B. B. King, Robert Cray, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Art Neville and Buddy Guy. Vaughan, Clapton, and others performed it at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2004 and again in 2010 by Vaughan, Clapton, Robert Cray and Hubert Sumlin. 


Year:
2004
346 
#1

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In the middle of the night 
Six strings down 
On the heaven-bound flight 
Got a pick, a strap, guitar on his back 
Ain't gonna cut the angels no slack 
Heaven done called 

Another blues-stringer back home 
See the voodoo chile 
Holding out his hand 
I've been waitin' on you brother 
Welcome to the band 
Good blues-stringin' 
Heaven-fine singin' 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph 

Been lis'nin' to your playin' 
Heaven done called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Lord they called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Albert Collins up there 

Muddy an' Lightnin' too 
Albert King and Freddy 
Playin' the blues 
T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim 
Little Son Jackson and 
Frankie Lee Sims 

Heaven done called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Lord they called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Lord they called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Heaven done called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Lord they called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Heaven done called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
They called 
Another blues-stringer back home 
Back home

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Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's Top 50 Guitarists of All Time. more »

19 fans

Written by: ART NEVILLE, CYRIL GARRETT NEVILLE, ERIC KOLB, STACY KELSEY SMITH, JIMMIE LAWRENCE VAUGHAN

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Duration
"Six Strings Down" has a runtime of approximately 4 minutes and 31 seconds.
Album Information
The song is featured on "In The Beginning," an album by Jimmie Vaughan that was released in 1994.
Collaboration
"Six Strings Down" sees the collaboration of legendary English rock guitarist, Eric Clapton, with American blues rock guitarist, Jimmie Vaughan.
Theme
The song is a touching tribute to Jimmie Vaughan's brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan, a renowned guitarist himself who died tragically in a helicopter crash in 1990.
Genre Classification
Characteristically belonging to the blues genre, "Six Strings Down" has also got influences from rock and folk genres.
Live Performances
The song has been performed live many times by both Eric Clapton and Jimmie Vaughan, each time receiving warm responses from audiences due its deep emotional theme.
Vocals
Jimmie Vaughan provides the main vocals for the song, while Eric Clapton provides his blend of backup vocals and guitar magic.
Musicianship
The song displays the intricate musicianship of both artists, showcasing their prowess as top-tier guitarists with its intricate guitar solos.
Critical Reception
"Six Strings Down" has been well received by critics, often hailed for its raw emotion and gripping musical composition.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song metaphorically depict the journey of a guitarist joining the heavenly band, which adds an intense emotional layer to the song's theme.
Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute
The song was performed by Eric Clapton and Jimmie Vaughan as a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan during the latter's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
Songwriters
The song was written by Art Neville, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, Daryl Johnson, and Ken Shepherd.

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