In the mid-1960s Clapton left the Yardbirds to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop". After Cream broke up, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. Clapton's solo career began in the 1970s, where his work bore the influence of the mellow style of J. J. Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded with Cream. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which was featured on his Unplugged album.
Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004 he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his solo career, Clapton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers.
13. Let It Rain
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun could never thaw away the bliss that lays around me
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let it rain, rain, rain
Until I found the way to love, it's harder said than done
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let it rain, rain, rain
Now I know the secret; there is nothing that I lack
If I give my love to you, you'll surely give it back
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let it rain, rain, rain
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let it rain, rain, rain
The lyrics of Let It Rain by Eric Clapton portrays the singer's state of mind while in a very difficult place emotionally. The rain, though usually related to gloom and doom, feels like a savior for him, as it symbolizes an environment in which nobody would scold him for his sadness or fault him for feeling vulnerable. He addresses his lover, who he knows has the power to make him feel better, to let her love pour down on him like the rain, washing away his sorrows, eliminating his loneliness, and filling him up with love once again.
The recurring refrain of "Let It Rain" seems like a self-convincing statement, asking the world and his emotions to let him feel the full range of his pain, acknowledging that what he is going through is hard, and the solution is not always simple. The second verse talks about how the singer met someone who transformed his life, much like how rain brings sustenance to a desert flower, and he knows that if he keeps the love flowing, they will not let go of each other. The lyrics seem to speak of not only romantic love, but also self-love as a prerequisite for healing and moving past emotional turmoil. Though the lyrics are simple and direct, Eric Clapton's vocals along with the chorus and the guitar riff make it a memorable song that has endured almost five decades since its release.
Line by Line Meaning
The rain is falling through the mist of sorrow that surrounded me
I am feeling sad and surrounded by sorrow and the rain seems to be falling through this mist and adding to my misery.
The sun could never thaw away the bliss that lays around me
Even though the sun may shine, it cannot make me happy or remove the sadness that enfolds me.
Her life was like a desert flower burning in the sun
The lady's life is like that of a desert flower that withers away in the scorching sun.
Until I found the way to love, it's harder said than done
It was a difficult task to find love, but I finally found it and it was worth it.
Now I know the secret; there is nothing that I lack
I have discovered the secret to happiness which is love, now I need nothing else to be content.
If I give my love to you, you'll surely give it back
Love is a two-way street, if I show my love to you, you will definitely reciprocate it.
Let it rain, let it rain, Let your love rain down on me
Nothing can stop me from receiving your love, let it pour down on me like the rain.
Let it rain, let it rain, Let it rain, rain, rain
I am ready for your love to come down on me, let it rain continuously, bringing me happiness and contentment.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, BONNIE LYNN BRAMLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlos Gastañadui
The rain is falling through the mist of sorrow that surrounded me
The sun could never thaw away the bliss that lays around me
(Let it rain, let it rain, let your love rain down on me)
(Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, rain, rain)
Her life was like a desert flower burning in the sun
Until I found the way to love, was harder said than done
(Let it rain, let it rain, let your love rain down on me)
(Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, rain, rain)
(Now I know the secret, there is nothing that I lack)
(If I give my love to you, you'll surely give it back)
(Let it rain) let it rain (let it rain) woo-hoo (let your love rain down on me)
(Let it rain) let it rain, yeah (let it rain, let it rain, rain, rain) let it rain
(Let it rain, let it rain) ooh-hoo-hoo (let your love rain down on me)
(Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, rain, rain)
(Rain, rain)
(Rain, rain)
Rain, rain, rain, rain
Domenico V_versus37
70 years old and Eric still sing live with a perfect intonation, great intensity, confidence and wonderful vocal expression. Eric Clapton is an artist unique and a true living legend of the music.
Samuel Doñas Avila
Así es.siempre grande el
Dilshad Sadiq
Have to admit that is one of my favorite Clapton song, and he bails this perfectly with his amazing voice and the riffs coming out from his electric guitar. Mind you he is into his 70’s but plays brilliantly. What a legend. Bless him
joe22589
When a brilliant song is played by musicians that are all masters, then the result is pure bliss
sjsartanddesign
Absolutely!!
João Leonardo
This man is outstanding......phenomenal!
Don Kloos
Great live version from EC my guitar hero since childhood. Kind of a refeshing upbeat change of pace from the hard pentatonic blues grind. He's the only survivor from Cream now. Here's to many more years...
Mark Chronister
His voice might be better than ever. I listened to Quinn Sullivan do a fantastic rendition of this the other day!
Herbert Lüthe
one of my favorite clapton songs - especially when its played like a rock-song should be played!
Pablo Pérez
Always