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.
Before You Accuse Me
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
Well your mother said "Son"
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
If I don't go on and quit you
I'm gonna lose my mind
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
The lyrics of "Before You Accuse Me" are directed towards a romantic partner who has been accusing the singer of infidelity. Instead of engaging with these accusations directly, the singer turns the tables by asking their partner to take a closer look at their own actions. The refrain of "before you accuse me, take a look at yourself" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing this message of self-reflection.
The second verse of the song adds another layer to the situation, revealing that the singer has attempted to involve their partner's mother in the conflict. The mother's disapproval of the singer's actions is cited as further evidence that the partner should examine their own behavior.
The final verse concludes with the singer pleading for their partner to return to them, despite the accusations and turmoil in the relationship. The refrain is repeated one last time, expressing the hope that the partner will recognize their own faults before placing blame elsewhere.
Overall, "Before You Accuse Me" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of assuming the worst in others without taking a critical look at oneself. It also touches on themes of family influence and the power dynamics at play in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Think about your own actions and behavior before you blame me for anything.
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You are accusing me of spending my money on other women.
You've been taking money from someone else
You have also been taking money from someone else yourself.
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
I reached out to your mother three or four nights ago.
Well your mother said "Son"
Your mother addressed me as "Son".
"Don't call my daughter no more"
She advised me not to contact her daughter anymore.
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
Please come back to me and give us another chance.
If I don't go on and quit you
If I don't break up with you.
I'm gonna lose my mind
I will go insane if I stay in this relationship any longer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ellas McDaniel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Oberhäuser
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
Mama said "Son"
"Don't call my daughter no more"
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
Come on back home baby, try my love one more time
If I don't go on and quit you
I'm gonna lose my mind
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
Israel Uvita
Antes de que me acusen, echa un vistazo a ti mismo
Antes de que me acusen, echa un vistazo a ti mismo
Que decir que he estado gastando mi dinero en otras mujeres
Tú has estado tomando el dinero de otra persona
Llamé a su mamá combate hace tres o cuatro noches
Llamé a su mamá combate hace tres o cuatro noches
Así que su madre le dijo "hijo"
"No llames a mi hija no más"
Antes de que me acusen, echa un vistazo a ti mismo
Antes de que me acusen, echa un vistazo a ti mismo
Que decir que he estado gastando mi dinero en otras mujeres
Tú has estado tomando el dinero de otra persona
Vuelve bebé a casa, prueba mi amor una vez más
Vuelve bebé a casa, prueba mi amor una vez más
Si no voy a dejar de fumar y que
Voy a perder la cabeza
Antes de que me acusen, echa un vistazo a ti mismo
Que decir que he estado gastando mi dinero en otras mujeres
Tú has estado tomando el dinero de otra persona
Jim Riley
Clapton's best work post-Cream. What a track!
DoncellaDeHierro
Yo escuche esta canción en la radio y me encanto. Gran canción del gran Eric Clapton.
eastweymouthchris
I have been listening to this since 1990 when it came out and I hear something new in his phrasing every time.
Deliah Beavis
love this song 🎵 ❤️
mamma bear Jo
I love this song, I play it when I'm being gossiped about... I dance around to it.
Alcides DM
This is really a classic and great blues! Clapton is a Master with his Strat!
Karen Harps
Yep! You're right! Love it!
Compassion Please
Uh, yeah
He’s god, remember
Devin Bret
I saw SRV get on stage with Clapton and do this song.
Ocean Crosby
Clapton's great for sure, but I would love to hear SRV's version of this song.