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.
Do the Do
Eric Clapton Lyrics
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Steppin' all over me
With your high tone and your blue line
Respectability
You go down on the corner
Havin' yourself a ball
Changed your way of livin'
I can't let you do it
I can't let you do it to me
I know you're gonna do it
But I can't let you do it to me
If the sun don't shine no more
And the blue sky don't appear
The rainfall don't fall no more
I really don't think you'd care
You got so wrapped up, baby
In everything you do
Been putting on the dog, you know
And I mean you
I can't let you do it
I can't let you do it to me
I know you're gonna do it
But I can't let you do it to me
If you don't shut down miss banquet
If you don't shut down real soon
Gonna find yourself out on the street
Looking for another room
You've seen me on the corner
Having myself a ball
Gonna change my way of living
And you won't know me at all
I can't let you do it
I can't let you do it to me
I know you're gonna do it
But I can't let you do it to me
The lyrics in Can't Let You Do It by Eric Clapton focus on a manipulative, high class woman who has changed her way of living and is now disrespecting the singer. The woman is described as high tone and having respectability, suggesting she is of a higher social class than the singer. However, she is also described as stepping all over the singer, which indicates that she is taking advantage of him in some way. The woman goes down on the corner and has a good time, which further emphasizes her carefree, selfish personality.
The singer acknowledges that he can't stop the woman from doing what she wants and knows that she will continue to step over him. However, he is unwilling to let her continue to do so, stating that he "can't let you do it to me." The singer seems to be fed up with the woman's disrespectful behavior and implies that she will not care if things go wrong for him, showing her lack of empathy towards others.
The last verse shows the singer's determination to change his own behavior and not be taken advantage of anymore. He warns the woman that she needs to change her own way of living, or she will find herself out on the street. The last line, "And you won't know me at all," suggests that the singer is willing to make significant changes to his own life and may become unrecognizable to the woman in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you got some high class baby
You think you're better than me, with all your fancy clothes and high societal status.
Steppin' all over me
You're treating me like dirt, and walking all over me.
With your high tone and your blue line
You speak with a snobbish, superior attitude and follow the strict rules of society.
Respectability
You think your actions are socially acceptable and respectable, even if they hurt others.
You go down on the corner
You hang out in the seedy area of town.
Havin' yourself a ball
You're enjoying yourself, but at the expense of others.
Changed your way of livin'
You've started living recklessly and carelessly, without regard for consequences.
And I don't know you at all
You've become someone I don't recognize or understand.
I can't let you do it
I can't allow you to continue hurting me in this way.
I can't let you do it to me
I won't allow you to continue to treat me poorly.
I know you're gonna do it
I'm aware that you'll continue to behave badly.
If the sun don't shine no more
Even in the worst circumstances, you wouldn't care.
And the blue sky don't appear
You're so caught up in your own world, you don't notice anything outside of it.
The rainfall don't fall no more
Even if everything around you is falling apart, you'll still be selfish.
You got so wrapped up, baby
You've become completely consumed by your own selfishness and arrogance.
In everything you do
Your every action is driven by your own self-interest and disregard for others.
Been putting on the dog, you know
You're trying to impress others with your wealth and status, but it's all a show.
And I mean you
I'm talking about you specifically.
If you don't shut down miss banquet
If you don't stop your reckless behavior and wild partying,
If you don't shut down real soon
If you don't change your ways very soon,
Gonna find yourself out on the street
You'll end up homeless and alone.
Looking for another room
You'll have nowhere to go and no one to rely on.
You've seen me on the corner
You've watched me struggle in the same situation.
Having myself a ball
But I'm not going to let your behavior bring me down anymore.
Gonna change my way of living
I'm going to make changes in my own life to improve my situation.
And you won't know me at all
And you won't recognize me anymore because I won't be the person you're used to walking all over.
Lyrics © Casablanca Media Publishing
Written by: JJ Cale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gablaus
What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long
You know it's just your foolish pride
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind
I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down
Like a fool, I fell in love with you
Turned my whole world upside down
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane
Please don't say I'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind
@udeshya5392
Lyrics of Layla:
What will you do when you get lonely
No one waiting by your side?
You've been running, hiding much too long
You know it's just your foolish pride
Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
Tried to give you consolation
Your old man had let you down
Like a fool, I fell in love with you
You turned my whole world upside down
Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
Make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane
Please don't say we'll never find a way
Tell me all my love's in vain
Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
(Yeah, yeah)
Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
(Music)
(Announcement)
Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
@deborah2505
I play this version every night for my cat named Layla. She knows it's being played for her and always comes running.
@cristianviloaica3437
That is so sweet 🖤🐈
@sassycassie709
Awe 💕🥰
@rdg4575
Tabs? I try to figure it out but I get stuck. Any tips are welcome😄
@episodereading7752
omg so cutee
@animatedlegoherossweeney4077
Awwww I sing to my cat too....I know there incredible and love music her mam cat loved hard rock music...would pit her head actually on the speakers and pretend to sleep she loved music...aj prefers my singing? I cant sing at all....thank you for your post xxxx
@jackyeager695
In the company of the greatest guitar players of all time.... and such a nice guy. I have met him twice in the airport. The first time I had my daughter with me and he was so nice to her. She was 14 and a violinist. She had her instrument with her and when he saw the case he started to ask her thoughts on various music that she played. He was genuinely interested in her music. The second time I met him he was sitting across and one row up from me on a plane. I introduced myself and told him about how his meeting and talking to my daughter was so great for her. He remembered the occasion!!! God it is nice to see such a superstar behave like a gentleman and be so nice to a young fan. Thanks for so much great music....
@guitrich
My experience with EC was similar. I met him in an elevator in our hotel and he stayed on the SAME FLOOR. Imagine my shocking reaction. He talked with me the whole time from the first floor to our floor about his concert that I'm going to see that night. We talked as we walked down the hall way until he had to turn right to his room and I turned left to my room at the other end of the wing. I guess we were at the CROSSROAD. :) I was walking on cloud that afternoon and evening as I saw him in concert.
@Artenosik
Thanks for the most interesting story! What year was it? And how is your daughter's current progress?
@samoneill283
Year he special ok wish l born with his talent f fantastic no stress just great G J ONeill