Blind Faith formed in London, England, in late 1968 when Eric Clapton (ex-Cream) and Steve Winwood (ex-Traffic) were at loose ends following the demise of their former bands and began to spend time together again, jamming and working on new material at Clapton's house in Surrey (they had previously collaborated on a Clapton project called Eric Clapton & The Powerhouse. At Winwood's instigation, Cream's former drummer Ginger Baker was invited along, and they subsequently spent some time recording in the studio. Rick Grech, bassist with Family, was invited to join them...and he left Family, mid-tour! Record producer Jimmy Miller came in to bring some focus to the recording of further material.
News of the formation of the group created a buzz of excitement among the public, and a free concert was scheduled for London's Hyde Park on June 7, 1969. Their small repertoire was reported by the music press as having disappointed the crowd of 100,000 who were also expecting to hear songs from the days of Cream and Traffic. The recording of their album continued; followed by a short tour of Scandinavia, then a U.S. tour from July 11 (Newport) to August 24 (Hawaii), supported by Free and Delaney & Bonnie and Friends.
Audience reaction in the USA was similar to that in the UK, and the band was forced to appease them by playing a couple of Cream and Traffic songs. The management pressure to cash in on the hyperbole (the Press dubbed them a supergroup), and Baker's view that the group was a continuation of Cream soured feelings within the band, and they disbanded immediately after completing the U.S. tour.
An expanded, deluxe edition of the album was released in 2001, with previously unreleased tracks and jams included. Two live tracks from the Hyde Park concert, "Sleeping in the Ground" by Sam Myers and the Rolling Stones song "Under My Thumb" are also available on Winwood's 4-CD retrospective The Finer Things.
The band dissolved in 1969 after only a year together. Winwood reformed Traffic, and later, a solo career. Clapton stepped out of the spotlight, first to sit in with the Plastic Ono Band, and then to tour as a sideman for Delaney & Bonnie and Friends.
Upon its release, Blind Faith topped Billboard's Pop Albums chart in America (as it did the UK charts) and peaked at #40 on the Black Albums chart, an impressive feat for a British rock quartet.
Sea Of Joy
Blind Faith Lyrics
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Or are they only figments of my eyes?
And I'm feeling close to when the race is run.
Waiting in our boats to set sail.
Sea of joy.
Once the door swings open into space,
And I'm already waiting in disguise.
Waiting in our boats to set sail.
Sea of joy.
Having trouble coming through,
Through this concrete blocks my view
And it's all because of you.
Oh, is it just a thorn between my eyes?
Waiting in our boats to set sail.
Sea of joy.
Sea of joy.
Sea of joy.
Sailing free.
Sea of joy.
Blind Faith's song Sea of Joy is a piece that delves into the unknown and touches on the idea of life after death, enlightenment and the transcendence of the human spirit. The opening lines of the song, "following the shadows of the skies, or are they only figments of my eyes?" suggests the singer is exploring different realities, trying to discover the ultimate truth about the universe.
The sea, as suggested by the title, is a metaphor for the vastness and ultimate mystery of the universe. The singer talks about waiting in the boat to set sail, further indicating that there is a journey to be taken towards a greater understanding of the world. The lines, "once the door swings open into space, and I'm already waiting in disguise" could be interpreted as the moment of death, when one enters into the vast beyond.
There is a sense of uncertainty, yet also a feeling of anticipation as the journey to the unknown commences. The song is a beautiful and poetic exploration of the afterlife and serves as a meditation on the meaning of life itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Following the shadows of the skies,
I am observing my surroundings carefully, but I am doubtful whether what I see is real or just a product of my imagination.
Or are they only figments of my eyes?
I am questioning the authenticity of what I see and whether it is genuine or not.
And I'm feeling close to when the race is run.
I sense that the end is near or that the struggle is almost over.
Waiting in our boats to set sail.
We are anticipating a journey and eagerly waiting for it to commence.
Sea of joy.
The upcoming voyage symbolizes a sea of happiness and pleasure.
Once the door swings open into space,
When the opportunity presents itself, and it's time to take a risk or make a choice.
And I'm already waiting in disguise.
I am ready, and my true intention or identity is concealed to others.
Is it just a thorn between my eyes?
I am questioning whether something is hindering my ability to see or perceive things clearly.
Having trouble coming through,
I am struggling to break through and overcome obstacles in my path.
Through this concrete blocks my view
Something is preventing me from seeing or understanding something clearly or correctly.
And it's all because of you.
I attribute this obstacle or hindrance to a particular person.
Sea of joy.
Despite the difficulties, my upcoming journey promises a time of peace and happiness.
Sea of joy.
I reiterate the positive outlook and spirit of happiness for the journey ahead.
Sailing free.
I express the sense of freedom and liberation that comes with embarking on this journey.
Sea of joy.
I reaffirm the belief that the upcoming voyage will be a time of happiness and pleasure.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEVE WINWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind