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.
Ain't Nobody's Business
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of these days I'm going crazy
I'm gonna buy me a shotgun and shoot my baby
But it ain't nobody's business
Ain't nobody's business if I do
And if I should take an ocean
It ain't nobody's business
Ain't nobody's business if I do
You know Willie I can't if I choose
To walk down the street
With my light-bulb shoes
It ain't nobody's business if I do
Well, the Lord gave me my own mind to think
And how to choose what and
Just how much to drink
It ain't nobody's business if I do, if I do
One day I'll have chicken and dumplets
And the next day I ain't got nothing
But it ain't nobody's business
It ain't nobody's business if I do
And if I attend church on Sunday
And a cabarella all day, Monday
But it ain't nobody's business
It ain't nobody's business if I do
And if I stay out all night
Spend all my money, well, that's all right
'Cause it ain't nobody's business
Ain't nobody's business if I do
It ain't nobody's business
Ain't nobody's business if I do
The lyrics of Eric Clapton's song "Ain't Nobody's Business" suggest freedom from judgment and control by others on individual choices and actions. The beginning line, "It ain't nobody's business if I do" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The line talks about how people must not judge an individual for their choices as long it doesn't harm anyone else. The following lines illustrate how the singer might choose to act out of anger and frustration, but it is still no one's business. The phrase, "But it ain't nobody's business" is used frequently to indicate how personal choices must not be anyone else's concern.
Later, the lyrics indicate the singer's freedom to dress the way they want or go to church one day and have fun the next. The lyrics also highlight an individual's power to choose how much to drink or what they consume. The singer's declaration of independence is further emphasized in the line, "It ain't nobody's business if I do, if I do." Eric Clapton's song conveys the message that people must have the freedom to behave as they please, without being judged by others for their choices, as long as they do not harm others.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't nobody's business if I do
I have the freedom to make my own choices and decisions without anyone else interfering or judging me.
Some of these days I'm going crazy
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and like I'm losing control of my emotions.
I'm gonna buy me a shotgun and shoot my baby
I'm feeling so desperate and out of control, that I'm having dark thoughts of harming myself or others.
But it ain't nobody's business
Even though these thoughts are troubling and destructive, it's not anyone else's place to tell me what to do, or judge me for my feelings.
And if I should take an ocean
Sometimes my emotions hit me like a wave, and I feel the urge to just go and do something impulsive.
Go down there and jump in that ocean
I might even feel so reckless that I want to do something dangerous or potentially harmful to myself.
You know Willie I can't if I choose
I should have the freedom to express myself and be who I am, without feeling constrained by societal expectations or norms.
To walk down the street
I might want to wear something unique or unconventional, or do something that attracts attention or criticism.
With my light-bulb shoes
I should be able to express myself through fashion, even if it's something that other people might find weird or distasteful.
Well, the Lord gave me my own mind to think
I believe that I have the ability and responsibility to make my own decisions and think for myself, without having to defer to anyone else's opinions or beliefs.
And how to choose what and
I should be able to decide for myself what's important or valuable in my life, and what I should devote my time and energy to.
Just how much to drink
It's my choice whether or not to consume alcohol, and how much of it I want to drink, without anyone else having the right to judge or control my behavior.
One day I'll have chicken and dumplets
Sometimes I might have things going well for me, and I can enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
And the next day I ain't got nothing
Other times, things might not be going so well, and I might be struggling to get by or make ends meet.
But it ain't nobody's business
Even if my life is full of ups and downs, nobody else should feel entitled to pry into my personal life or criticize me for my choices.
And if I attend church on Sunday
I might have spiritual beliefs or practices that are important to me, and I want to be able to participate in them freely, without anyone else interfering or judging me.
And a cabarella all day, Monday
I should be able to express myself and enjoy life in whatever way I see fit, without feeling constrained by conventional social expectations or norms.
And if I stay out all night
Sometimes I might want to stay out late and have fun, even if it's not necessarily a responsible or productive use of my time.
Spend all my money, well, that's all right
I should have the right to spend my money as I see fit, without feeling judged or criticized by others.
'Cause it ain't nobody's business
Ultimately, my life and my choices are my own business, and other people shouldn't feel entitled to interfere or judge me for them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colinhathaway9493
Proves he’s just as great at singing the blues as he is at playing it on the guitar . He’s a class act. Just bought this concert on DVD. Had to as it’s as good as it gets. Already have the cd album of it too
@TheKarmicguru
Yep, picked this up 2 weeks ago on Blu-ray, best money spent in a long while. 🎸
@michaelgustin5376
Where did u buy dvd of this concert at
@EC_IS_Here
This is a Eric Gem, absolutely incredible what he channels thought the guitar and blues
@Robin-Cale17
What a virtuoso voice! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@iuricatena2370
Il bluesman più intonato di sempre.
@prathameshbhambure
This man means everything to me. I wouldn't be willing to live a life which lacks his voice & guitar. My everything, Eric Clapton.
@olly8
This reminds me of an interview with Bonnie Bramlett...where she said Eric wasnt confident enough to sing. Delaney would start out singing with Eric, then leave Eric on his own. ❤❤❤
Eric Clapton, you have come so far since then! Love this 💯
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@frankwall5177
Very true. Impressive. I first learned of that when I read his autobiography. If you haven’t read it get a copy and take the time to do it. It’s well worth it
@danduggan3335
That's a lovely finish