50 years ago: Blind Faith “Can’t Find My Way Home” released on debut album

Can’t Find My Way Home Blind Faith

Writer(s): Steve Winwood (see lyrics here) Released: August 9, 1969 (album cut) First Charted: -- Peak: 4 CL, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 30.76 video, 49.31 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: In 1969, Eric Clapton had already established himself as one of the world’s premiere guitarists via his work with John Mayall, the Yardbirds, and Cream. Steve Winwood had developed similar credentials with stints in the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. When they united forces as Blind Faith – along with drummer Ginger Baker of Cream and bassist Ric Grech of Family – it made for “an unprecedented and arguably unmatched collection of talent and rock stardom.” UCR The collective made for one of rock history’s greatest supergroups, but they only recorded one album and ventured out for a one summer tour before splitting. Nonetheless, the album topped the UK and American charts and “the strength of its songs and performances have made it a lasting favorite for rock fans.” UCR Like British contemporaries such as Led Zeppelin, Van Morrison, and the Rolling Stones, Blind Faith “seemed to discover a similarity between American blues and soul music and the folk traditions of their own United Kingdom.” AMG While Clapton, Winwood, and Baker all contributed to Blind Faith, the “striking, dreamy piece” AMG “Can’t Find My Way Home” “stands out as the definitive statement.” UCR Winwood, “in a dreamy falsetto, sings a lyric that on first glance seems to be a simple love song, but in actuality might be intended to reflect a spiritual journey of some kind.” AMG He was also “blessed with amazingly soulful vocal abilities and an innate sense of American roots music.” AMG The song showcases his “sweet vocal floating atop the intricate acoustic guitar work,” UCR an uncommon role for Clapton, SF “while bassist Grech and drummer Baker provide subtle but effective rhythms to drive it along. Jimmy Miller’s warm and inviting production helps make the song all the more essential.” UCR Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Blind Faith DMDB encyclopedia entry for Eric Clapton DMDB encyclopedia entry for Steve Winwood AMG All Music Guide SF Songfacts UCR UltimateClassicRock.com (6/20/2013). “Top 100 Classic Rock Songs” WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 7/16/2022; last updated 7/22/2022.