The group debuted at the Lyceum Theatre in London on June 14, 1970 where the announcer mispronounced their provisional name of Eric and the Dynamos to Derek and the Dominos, the band decided to take up the new name and undertook a summer tour of England. From late August to early October, working at Criteria Studios in Miami with legendary Atlantic Records producer Tom Dowd, the band recorded Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, a brilliant double album now widely regarded as Clapton's masterpiece. Most of the material, including Layla (which soon became an FM radio staple) was inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd who was married to his best friend George Harrison. Clapton was seeing Pattie secretly at the time and Whitlock was dating her sister. It was not until much later that the affair was open; Boyd moved in with Clapton in 1974 and married him in 1979. However, they were separated in 1985 when Clapton started a relationship with Yvonne Khan Kelly and they divorced in 1988. The two-part song "Layla" was recorded in separate sessions; the opening guitar section was recorded first, with the second section following several months later. The second section was an elegiac piano piece composed and played by drummer Jim Gordon; early on, he objected to it being added onto Layla, but after some arguing among the band's members he finally agreed.
The Layla LP was actually recorded by a five-piece version of the group, thanks to the unforeseen inclusion of slide guitar virtuoso Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. Clapton recorded most of the album while lying on the floor strung out on drugs. The band was heavily into drugs at this time, but, unlike many artists such as The Beatles, Clapton feels this did not hurt the recording process. A few days into the Layla sessions, Dowd, who was also producing the Allmans, invited Clapton to an Allman Brothers outdoor concert in Miami. The two guitarists who previously knew each other only by reputation, met backstage after the show, and then both bands repaired to the studio to jam (an impromptu session which, happily, was captured on tape). Clapton and Allman "fell in love" with each other's playing and became instant friends, so Allman was immediately invited to become the fifth member of The Dominos. (These studio jams were eventually released as part of the 3-CD 20th-anniversary edition of the album.)
When Allman and Clapton met, The Dominos had already recorded three tracks (I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues and Keep On Growing); Allman debuted on the fourth cut, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, and contributed some of his most sublime slide-guitar playing to the remainder of the LP. The album was heavily blues-influenced and featured a winning combination of the twin guitars of Allman and Clapton, with Allman's incendiary slide-guitar a key ingredient of the sound. It showcased some of Clapton's strongest material to date, as well as arguably some of his best guitar playing, with Whitlock also contributing several superb numbers, and his powerful, soul-influenced voice.
Presence of the Lord
Derek and the Dominos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like I never did before
And I know I don't have much to give
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret
Everybody knows the score
I have finally found the way to live
I have finally found the pace to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give
But He can open any door
Everybody knows the secret
Everybody knows the score
I have finally found my place to live
In the presence of the Lord
In the presence of the Lord
I have finally found the way to live
Just like I never could before
I know I don't have much to give
But I can open any door
And everybody knows the secret
Everybody knows the score
I have finally found my way to live
In the color of the Lord
In the color of the Lord
The song "Presence of the Lord" by Derek and the Dominos is a gospel-infused blues-rock song that reflects the spiritual journey of the songwriter, Eric Clapton. In the opening verse, Clapton declares that he has found a new way of living, which is different from how he lived before. He admits that he doesn't have much to offer but feels empowered to open any door. In the chorus, Clapton changes the focus from himself to the universal truth that everybody knows the secret and the score of life. He stresses that he has found the right pace and place to live, which is in the presence of the Lord.
The second verse is similar to the first but emphasizes that the newfound way of living is possible through God's grace, who can open any door. The chorus is repeated twice, and in the last line, the color of the Lord is added, which signifies the spiritual dimension of the Lord's presence. The song's message is simple yet profound, that salvation is possible through faith, and trust in God will bring true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I have finally found the way to live
After searching for a long time, I have discovered how to live my life in a positive and fulfilling way.
Just like I never did before
This new way of living is unlike any way I have lived before, and it is a welcome change.
And I know I don't have much to give
While I may not have much to offer, I still have the ability to make a difference.
But I can open any door
Despite my limitations, I have the power to create opportunities and find my way to success.
Everybody knows the secret
The solution or answer to my problem is well-known by everyone.
Everybody knows the score
Everyone is aware of the situation and what needs to be done to overcome it.
I have finally found the pace to live
I now have a comfortable and steady rhythm to my life.
Just like I never could before
I have never been able to keep a consistent pace in my life until now.
But He can open any door
Even though I may have limitations, I know that God has the ability to help me find a way to succeed.
I have finally found my place to live
After much searching, I have discovered the perfect environment for me to thrive in.
In the presence of the Lord
My newfound way of living is based on my relationship with God and His guidance in my life.
In the color of the Lord
The colorful and vibrant elements of my life are inspired by God's presence and influence.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Patrick Clapton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind