"Higher", by Creed, is not a cool song.
This blog is about a Cool Song Of The Day. For years now, off and on, I have been digging around, discovering new coolness, reminding people of some classic coolness, re-establishing some cool that might have been forgotten, and so on. Everything about this blog is centered around a piece of music being a cool song.
Again, "Higher", by Creed, is not a cool song.
Released as the lead single from their second album, Human Clay, on August 24, 1999, Higher came out at the height of that Post-Grunge swamp of an era, where second-rate Pearl Jam Bands roamed the dystopian landscape. Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Creed, and so many other bands were all cranking out uninspired, formulaic songs that all sounded pretty much the same.
The song was inspired by lead singer Scott Stapp's personal experiences and dreams. It explores themes of escapism and spiritual transcendence, reflecting Stapp's desire to overcome struggles in his life. The lyrics talk about envisioning a better place and striving to achieve it, often interpreted as a metaphor for hope, redemption, or even heaven.
"Higher" went on to chart at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, staying there for 17 weeks, and got to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a significant crossover success.
And that, more than anything, is why it's here. This is a song that a lot of people loved, and a lot of people loved to hate. Very few people have a strong opinion about Hoobastank, or Three Days Grace. Even fewer would commit to yelling their strong opinions about those bands in a crowded bar.
But, Creed. Man.
Creed are actually a bunch of pretty talented musicians let down by a so-so front man. Mark Tremonti wrote some absolutely killer guitar riffs, and hardly gets any credit for them. The word "underrated" gets tossed around so, so frequently, but damn if Tremonti isn't high on the list of most underrated.
But, more than this, "Higher", lives in a very specific place, during a very specific time. It's cool to write killer riffs, but very few songs can tap into the cultural zeitgeist of it's time. Creed, somehow, was able to do that.
In that way that music is a time machine for people who were there, a vehicle that can instantly transport someone back to a specific time, a specific night, or some specific feeling that they had.
"Higher" can do that. People can fight about Creed, and people can also be moved by their music.
And that, as always, is pretty cool.
