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.
End
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down that dead end road
Yes, I feel like I'm runnin'
Down that dead end road
I need someone to tell me
Which way I ought to go?
Say goodbye to the mornin'
Say goodbye to the mornin'
Down that road I'm plyin'
If I look way beyond me
I'll be gettin' way behind
I can't seem to catch up
Distance keeps fallin' away
Can't seem to catch up
Distance keeps fallin' away
Makes no difference where I go
Dead end road everyday
Lord, I feel like I'm runnin'
Down that dead end road
Well, I feel like I'm runnin'
Down that dead end road
I need someone to tell me
Which way I ought to go?
Eric Clapton's "Dead End Road" depicts the feeling of being lost and not knowing what direction to take in life. The opening lines "Well, I feel like I'm runnin' / Down that dead end road" sets the tone for the whole song. The use of the metaphor of a 'dead end road' suggests that the singer has pursued a path that has led to a dead end, and now he can’t find a way back. The chorus, "I need someone to tell me / Which way I ought to go?", reinforces the idea that the singer is seeking guidance and support from someone in his life.
Furthermore, the lines "Say goodbye to the mornin' / Hello evenin' time" describes a transition from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. This could be seen as a metaphor for the singer's journey through life. As he progresses on the "dead end road," he say goodbye to a new beginning and hello to an end. The line "If I look way beyond me / I'll be gettin' way behind" is a reminder to the singer to focus on the present moment rather than dwell on the past or uncertain future.
The repetition of the line 'Lord I feel like I'm running' emphasizes the frustration and tiresome feeling that comes with being lost. The repetition of the phrase "Dead end road everyday" further highlights the idea that the singer feels like he has no other option but to stay on this path, even if nothing seems to change.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I feel like I'm runnin'
The singer expresses the feeling of being constantly on the move.
Down that dead end road
The path he is on leads nowhere and is futile.
Yes, I feel like I'm runnin'
He reiterates his emotion of being in constant motion.
I need someone to tell me
He desires guidance and help in navigating his journey.
Which way I ought to go?
The singer is lost and seeks direction to get back on the right path.
Say goodbye to the mornin'
He is transitioning from a new day, which holds promise, to the evening time.
Hello evenin' time
The night time where things can appear ominous, uncertain with potential danger lurking.
Say goodbye to the mornin'
He repeats the previous line to signify the true finality of leaving the day behind.
Down that road I'm plyin'
He continues along the same path, which is a dead end.
If I look way beyond me
He acknowledges not knowing his exact future, but striving to improve his current circumstances.
I'll be gettin' way behind
The singer knows that by not focusing on himself, he will continue to fall behind.
I can't seem to catch up
Despite his best efforts, he is struggling to keep up with life.
Distance keeps fallin' away
Despite trying to catch up with everyone else, it feels like the gap is widening instead.
Makes no difference where I go
The singer feels lost with the futility in exploring other places.
Dead end road everyday
The repetition shows the singer's predicament of being stuck in a dead-end situation.
Lord, I feel like I'm runnin'
The singer is in constant motion and is therefore losing sight of his objectives.
I need someone to tell me
He reiterates his request for guidance.
Which way I ought to go?
The singer recognizes his need for help and direction in finding a way out of his current situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J.J. CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shirleyspaulo2735
■ This Has Gotta Stop
■ Eric Clapton
■ Tradução/Português
Isso Precisa Parar
Isso precisa parar
Já chega
Não aguento mais essa merda
Isso já foi longe demais
Se quiser reivindicar minha alma
Vai precisar vir aqui e arrombar esta porta
Eu sabia que estava acontecendo algo de errado
Quando você começou a ditar regras
Não consigo mexer minhas mãos
Eu começo a suar
Quero chorar
Não aguento mais
Isso precisa parar
Já chega
Não aguento mais essa merda
Isso já foi longe demais
Se quiser reivindicar minha alma
Vai precisar vir aqui e arrombar esta porta
Estive por aí
Há um bom tempo
Já vi de tudo
E estou acostumado a ser livre
Eu sei quem sou
Tento fazer o que é certo
então me prenda e jogue fora a chave
Isso precisa parar
Já chega
Não aguento mais essa merda
Isso já foi longe demais
Se quiser reivindicar minha alma
Vai precisar vir aqui e arrombar esta porta
Pensando nos meus filhos
No que vai restar para eles
E no que está vindo pela frente
A luz no fim do túnel
Pode ser o comboio para o sul
Senhor, por favor, ajude-os com suas cargas
Isso precisa parar
Já chega
Não aguento mais essa merda
Isso já foi longe demais
Se quiser reivindicar minha alma
Vai precisar vir aqui e arrombar esta porta
Isso precisa parar
Já chega
Não aguento mais essa merda
Isso já foi longe demais
Se quiser reivindicar minha alma
Vai precisar vir aqui e arrombar esta porta
(Esta porta)
(Esta porta)
(Esta porta)
(Arrombar esta porta)
(Esta porta)
(Esta porta)
(Esta porta)
(Arrombar esta porta)
Fonte: Vagalume/Brasil
@estebanpaunero3138
I heard this song for the first time two days ago and i cried my eyes out. I still cry every time i hear it
Man... I can't imagine the fear you've been through while also having to deal with criticism from stupid people who pretend to want to save the world (trying to impose their ideology to everyone) and don't really care about people with real problems.
Let me tell you that all sensible people are in the same mindset as you in this song. We want the stupid political war of people vs people to end once and for all or be downplayed to the point where we can all live in peace again.
You are not alone at all
Thank you for such a beautiful song. It's the best song I've heard, one of those that works to remind us that we are good people even if we don't think like the majority.
Please keep making such beautiful songs, you're doing very well 😊
Greetings from Argentina
P.S: That guitar playing..... MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
@NY-2023
I am grateful for this piece, waking people up from lethargy. Thank you.
@josephboyce4522
Thank you Eric Clapton for speaking and singing out.
@rubenherrera9645
Living Legend Eric Clapton!!! 🙌
@jerkerhallin394
I love Clapton for doing this. This is his most relevant song. And a very good song too. Most other artist don't do shit.
@boxcubeyt7888
ts is trash dawg
@harkmay
how did I never even hear about this? or Eric's story? so good to hear one of the 'older guard' of Rockers who actually still has the same attitude they used to have in the 60s/70s. shocking to hear so many calling for handing over bodily autonomy to the Gov! and no dr/patient rights. a lot more waking up now thankfully.
@videocraque5384
And you should look up the disgustingly biased way the media handled Eric's story and stance. They didn't even try to stick to the health angle (Eric's history of substance abuse, etc.) to cover up his bad vaccine outcome... They just went along and exhumed everything that could be perceived as "negative" about Eric to the eyes of today's left... And this includes Rolling Stone of course...
@mk.2777
世の中のシステムはほんとに狂ってる。それがコロナで浮き彫りになっただけ。ほんとはずっっっと狂ってた。エリック・クラプトンがまた音楽出来るようになって本当に良かった。とってもいい曲で、胸に染みます。
@ronnyrichter9146
Eric, thank you for your touching and courageous song. You deserve my greatest respect for it.
@josephskuse9115
Catchy song. Eric’s previous releases “Old Sock” and “I Still Do” weren’t charting well but he’s made a big comeback with this one.