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.
Crossroads
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried to flag a ride
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me
Everybody passed me by
I went down to the crossroads
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Ask the Lord above for mercy
Save me if you please
I am going down to Rosedale
Taking my rider by my side
I am going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby
They call us on the riverside
You can run, you can run
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads
I believe I'm sinking down
The lyrics of Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck's song Crossroads describe a protagonist who has gone to a crossroad, trying to get a ride. Nobody seems to know who he is, and everyone ignores him. The persona falls on his knees and asks the Lord above for mercy, to save him. He then decides to go down to Rosedale, taking his rider with him. He is a bluesman, and they are still barrel-housing, even though they are by the riverside. Despite his efforts, he cannot outrun his problems, and he is sinking down as he stands at the crossroads.
The crossroads in this song likely refer to the intersection of Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, which is considered by many to be the place where the blues was born. The crossroads became a legendary spot in the blues world because of the story of Robert Johnson, who was said to have sold his soul to the devil there in exchange for unsurpassed guitar skills. The lyrics of the song echo this legend and suggest that the singer is at a critical juncture in his life, seeking salvation or a way out of his problems.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the crossroads
I traveled to a place where paths diverge
Tried to flag a ride
I attempted to catch a ride from someone passing by
Nobody seemed to know me
No one recognized or acknowledged me
Everybody passed me by
Everyone ignored me and continued on their way
Fell down on my knees
I dropped to the ground on my knees
Ask the Lord above for mercy
I pleaded with God for forgiveness and compassion
Save me if you please
I begged to be rescued from my troubled situation
Taking my rider by my side
I am accompanied by my companion as we continue our journey
You can still barrelhouse, baby
We can still have a good time and play music together
They call us on the riverside
People refer to us and our music by the riverbank
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Inform my friend, Willie Brown, of my circumstances
And I'm standing at the crossroads
I find myself still at the point of divergence
I believe I'm sinking down
I feel as though I am in a downward spiral
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PABLO BRUNO
Clapton at the beginning of the 90's was God at the peak of his powers 🔥
Sheldon Aubut
@pablobruno1503 -- Must be the age difference. I thought his peak was in the 1960's with The Yardbirds and Cream.
Thales Machado
@sheldonaubut in my opinion eric greatness plays was wit john Mayall until derek, i think yardbirds he is just approaching your technique, but the old Clapton stills impeccable
Nanette Feuling
Still TOP GUN!!!
Leo20
@Günther F. you have tk be kidding how he sucks just because he has a household name doesn’t make him the best guitar player he’s a beginner lever
Phillip Calvin
Absolutely love the arrangement of Crossroads on 24 Nights. Would love to see EC with Greg Phillinganes again, he's got great energy.
Nanette Feuling
A Real Treat … a long interview with Clapton just before the Jeff Beck Memorial with David Spuria, The Real Music Observer. This is up close and personal from his kitchen. WOW!!!
Nanette Feuling
YouTube
Raymond Carver
@Nanette Feuling Great interview!!
Александр Стафиевских
Eric Clapton благодарю за исполнение.