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.
Got To Get Better In A Little While
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm seeing things I don't want to see.
Sniffing things that ain't no good for me.
I'm going down fast, won't you say a prayer for me?
[Chorus:]
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
Revolution all across the land.
Just like Sly, you got to take a stand.
Please don't hurt nobody, don't knock them down;
Give them a helping hand to get off the ground.
[Chorus]
Still one thing that you can do;
Fall down on your knees and pray.
I know the Lord's gonna answer you.
Don't do it tomorrow, do it today.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Eric Clapton's song "Got To Get Better In A Little While" address the struggles and hardships of addiction. The opening lines, "Don't you know what's wrong with me? I'm seeing things I don't want to see. Sniffing things that ain't no good for me", reveal the singer's awareness of their downward spiral and the destructive habits they have developed. They seem to be asking for help when they urge, "I'm going down fast, won't you say a prayer for me?" The repetition of the chorus, "It's got to get better in a little while," is a desperate cry for hope.
In the second part of the song, Clapton shifts the focus to a more public level. He talks about the need for revolution and taking a stand, invoking the example of Sly Stone from Sly and the Family Stone. He urges people to help others in need, rather than resorting to violence. The repetition of "It's got to get better in a little while" in the final chorus suggests that there is a collective need for hope and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know what's wrong with me?
Do you not understand the issues I'm facing?
I'm seeing things I don't want to see.
I'm experiencing difficult situations that I wish I could avoid.
Sniffing things that ain't no good for me.
Engaging in harmful behavior that is detrimental to my well-being.
I'm going down fast, won't you say a prayer for me?
I am rapidly deteriorating and would benefit from some spiritual guidance.
It's got to get better in a little while.
I have hope that my situation will improve soon.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
I have faith that good things will happen to me eventually.
Revolution all across the land.
There is a need for change and transformation throughout the country.
Just like Sly, you got to take a stand.
Inspired by the actions of Sly Stone, we should voice our concerns and stand up for our beliefs.
Please don't hurt nobody, don't knock them down;
Let us avoid harming others or bringing them down.
Give them a helping hand to get off the ground.
We can assist others who are struggling to get back on their feet.
Still one thing that you can do;
There is still one action we can take.
Fall down on your knees and pray.
We can seek divine intervention through prayer.
I know the Lord's gonna answer you.
I am confident that a divine response will be received if we seek it.
Don't do it tomorrow, do it today.
There is no need to delay seeking help, we should act promptly.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TREYOLDHIPPIE
@Rick Bray VERY TRUE ! I wish I could be brief but..its not easy.
But growin up in the 50's was not all about what kids needed.. Being a teen in the 60's meant go out and start saving for your dreams.. But we did find Cream, '67 Doors, Stones, Beatles, Neal Young.. and 50 more greats that were exploding with great sounds and lyrics.
Which ALL did take us with THEM and we are generally tougher and more greatful than kids that were coddled.
Of course Eric was mostly spoiled and overall as lucky his grandparents kept him close and much- loved AND even got a guitar!!/s. and Art School!!
Blue collars did not often get STUFF..but we found a similar friend and we . Getting by with a little help from our friend..and Cream did flaming great blues all their own..a and sooh original.
I sure wish he would tour inside the USA..he lives NY AND CALI..
BICOASTAL IS just unfair. Since he lives in Cali. And toured Europe twice in lat 6 years..and many London gigs under the radar.
I wish I could at least get their impeccable SOUNDBOARDS.
The profits could SAAVE THE WORLD!!
OR THE Planet. OR STOP THE CRUCIFICATION OF PEOPLE DYING OR LIVING IN THE WORST OF PAIN. THE FEDS Have NO proof of our sickest overdosing or misusing or sharing what keeps them alive. Feds just now to pharmas who bribe with gifts and vacations worth a chalet ..also given for bribes.
As the sick suffer and hi-dose fentanyl From China..is being blamed on pharmaceuticals..which have fractional and ultra perfect dosage which is not made to party. it saves suicides..or..it used to.
Eric may be unaware but he is someone who now lives with very tough pain. He gets the best pain help. others are now cut off and aggressively prescribed products that do not help the higher pain levels that do ruin lives. It never creates addictive behavior for those in worst paIn.. because pain patients now and a let a appreciated the reasonable relief and prescribed dose is the only way it works for decades + allows a livable life.
I know too much about the deadliest pain that often comes from a long life of hard work or basic sports and even fitness. Or- deformities. And botched surgeries with no re-do. +too many Illnesses or conditions with no cure and all who can not even stand, sit up, eat nd drink..without softening their pain.
End of "Why we can't let Feds go on taking bribes and blaming our sickest who can't protest, can't re vel..Can't organize and work to organize some of the 40 million being treated worse than pets and even suicides. yes its as dirty fact. and of course the news anchors don't. share the Feds betrayal of our sickest. or they, too get big money to turn away from betrayals of our vets and our sickest.
@carmenabdelnor4915
....and just like that a man in a shirt plain and simple ,standing on a stage , no fancy lights ,no theatrics , with a guitar blows everyone away . Strut your stuff Eric to the ends of the earth . 🎉
@frankwall5177
For sure just did it again last Saturday night for me
@davidhawkey8426
Yessir. It's all about the music.
@maximilianoflores560
He is the best, simple. How not to love him.
@josem.ignacio3370
I am 62 years old and have followed him since I was a child.
Thank you a million for what you have contributed to music. From Spain.
@michaelsimpson5495
Almost 62. Lovin’ every minute.
@LeisaBrown
❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉qwwq❤❤ 5:12 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😢😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
@peterpavlonis227
Every great guitar player is always compared to Clapton, Hendrix, SVR, Duane Allman, Jeff Beck, The Stones first pick after losing Brian Jones, The only guitar player to ever play on a Beatles record. Clapton will and should go down as the greatest of the great all time guitar players.
@eddylindner1317
Right On Brother !! !!
@carlcutts8535
Agree