Clarence Clemons
Tenor Sax Solo on
Badlands

About

Clarence Clemons's tenor saxophone solo on "Badlands" is the second of two solos on this opening track of Darkness on the Edge of Town, following Bruce Springsteen's electric guitar. Playing at 122 BPM in E, Clemons adds his signature saxophone voice to one of the most anthemic songs in Springsteen's catalog. His big, full-bodied tone provides a muscular counterpoint to the guitar-driven arrangement, reinforcing the song's defiant energy with an instrumental statement that is both powerful and melodically direct.

Clarence Clemons was 35 to 36 years old at the time.