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.
Going Down Slow
Eric Clapton Lyrics
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I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
All of my health is failing;
Lord I'm going down slow
I'm going down slow.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
Tell her to pray for me
For all of my sin.
On the next train south look for my clothes back home.
On the next train south, look for my clothes back home.
Cause all of my health is failing
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
All of my health is failing
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
Feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow
Eric Clapton's song "Going Down Slow" speaks about the inevitability of death and the acceptance of one's fate. The lyrics suggest that the singer has had a lot of enjoyment in life and has little regret for the path he has taken, even if it has led to his current health status. He acknowledges his imminent demise and accepts it with grace, asking only for forgiveness for his sins and for his mother to pray for his soul.
The repetition of the phrase "I'm going down slow" emphasizes the sense of resignation and peaceful acceptance of his fate. The imagery of looking for a person's clothes on the next train south is a common metaphor for death in blues music. In earlier times, when people died while away from home, their relatives would receive their belongings through the next train, hence the saying "the clothes are going home."
The song's lyrics are a reflection of Clapton's admiration for blues artists such as B.B. King and Muddy Waters, who were known for their emotive expression and storytelling in their music. Clapton's rendition of "Going Down Slow" features his guitar playing, which is emotional and soulful as he emphasizes the song's melancholic themes. The song's musical style draws from the blues genre, with its slow and mournful tempo.
Line by Line Meaning
I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
I have lived my life to the fullest, and if I never recover from my ill health, I will have no regrets.
All of my health is failing; Lord I'm going down slow
My medical condition is rapidly deteriorating, and my life is slipping away slowly.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
I request you to inform my mother about my current physical state and how ill I am.
Tell her to pray for me, Forgive me for my sin, For all of my sin.
Ask her to pray for me and forgive me for all my wrongdoings and sins.
On the next train south, look for my clothes back home.
When I'm gone, you will find my clothes on the southbound train to my home.
Cause all of my health is failing Lord, I'm going down slow
My failing health is causing a slow death, and there's nothing I can do about it.
Feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I am getting weaker every passing moment, and my life is ebbing away slowly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES B. ODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sylvester Bester Tester
Billy Preston is awesome.
I could go around in circles talking about his great solo work.
But my Lord, this mans lists of artists and bands that he's played with on keyboard, would be the the most impressive list you'd imagine.
Hell, he's often referred to as the real fifth Beatle. That famous roof concert on top of Apple records backing the Beatles must have been an experience of a lifetime.
This makes me want to look up all the people he's worked with.
I'm sure they'll be tons if artist's that he played with that i and many others didn't even know about.
Clapton and the Beatles (especially John) are known to be perfectionists.
They didn't hire great artists to play with live, or record with.
They had to pick the best.
Which also explains why Eric played live and recorded with the Beatles.
Now it's all legendary.
Jay Freer
Something about this solo is very special - starting finger picking - switching to pick - switching tone effortlessly all with a melodic and free flowing solo. Amazing technique and ability to play these songs differently each night. An ASTOUNDING career and artist
SAXYASFOLK
This must have been a truly great gig to have witnessed, I just love this tune all the best
carole adams
Never heard him do anything I didn't like! So awesome, so much soul.
Maxim Popov
Blues is the healer 💙
Elaine Meyer
I’m almost 70 yrs old now and thought I knew ALL the songs Clapton has ever played, until THIS one popped up on YT! What hit me immediately (after hearing the song and Clapton) was how the organist was really ‘feeling’ the music, and it showed in his hands, body, face, etc. He was truly having a good time, just like everyone else was. I’m almost 70 now and was trained as a classical pianist and organist since I was 5. While I always ❤’d the 🎹, I hated the organ early on bc my professor would NOT allow me (or her other students) to show ANY kind of emotion (which involved movements of any body parts, otherwise we were hit with a ruler!). That’s not the correct way to play imo - but this fellow is playing as it should be, and while I watch him it makes me wish I had the opportunity to play with the same feeling as he does (and I doubt I would have hated it so immensely when I was younger)!
John Alessandro
The masterful Billy Preston R.I.P. my brother, Steve Gadd one of the all time "greats" who's chops are coveted from everyone from Vince Gill to Eric Clapton; Nathan East, steady as the mornin sun but funky as an evening rainstorm and our course Mr. Clapton, who as previously stated just seems to get better & better; hats off to all the other players on this soulful jam!
Steve Rosser
What a band! Love Nathan East’s interpretation on the bass! Steve Gadd! Amazing! Loved Billy Preston, so sad he’s gone. Eric Clapton is so classy and tasteful.
島田マサヒコ
Thank you Sir. i enjoy watching your guitar music everyday . You are very great guitarist ⭐⭐⭐
KudiBey
I love this song!!!!
RosieBailey Jorgeson
Love it!