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.
I'm Tore Down (S. Thompson F.
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
I went to the river to jump in.
My baby showed up and said, "i will tell you when."
Well, I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
I love you babe with all my heart and soul;
Love like mine will never grow old.
Love you in the morning and in the evening too.
Every time you leave me I get mad with you.
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
I love you baby with all my might;
Love like mine is out of sight.
I'll lie for you if you want me to.
I really don't believe that your love is true.
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
"I'm Tore Down" is a classic blues song by Sonny Thompson that has been covered by many artists, including Eric Clapton. The lyrics depict a man who is feeling low and almost level with the ground because his lover has left him. He is willing to do anything for her, but he also doubts her love for him.
The opening line, "I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is in a state of despair and depression because he has lost his lover. He feels helpless and low, almost as if he is sinking into the ground. The repetition of this line throughout the song emphasizes his feeling of hopelessness.
The singer's lover shows up at the river when he is about to jump in, symbolizing his desire to end his life. She stops him and says, "I will tell you when," indicating that she will let him know when it's time to give up. This line adds a sense of ambiguity to the situation, leaving the listener unsure of whether the singer's lover will return or if he will be left alone.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of love and loyalty. The singer claims that his love for his baby will never grow old, but he also admits that he gets angry every time she leaves him. He expresses a willingness to lie for her, but at the same time, he doubts her love for him. These conflicting emotions show the complexity of love and relationships.
Overall, "I'm Tore Down" is a powerful blues song that delves into themes of love, loss, and emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
I am feeling very low and defeated, almost as if I have hit rock bottom.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
When my significant other is not around, I begin to feel hopeless and lost, causing me to sink deeper into despair.
I went to the river to jump in.
I went to the river with the intention of ending my life, since I cannot bear the pain and loneliness anymore.
My baby showed up and said, "i will tell you when."
My significant other appeared just in time to stop me from harming myself, but does not offer any comfort or explanation for their absence.
I love you babe with all my heart and soul;
I am deeply and passionately in love with my significant other, and my entire being is devoted to them.
Love like mine will never grow old.
Our love is timeless and eternal, and will withstand any challenge or obstacle that comes our way.
Love you in the morning and in the evening too.
I love my significant other every moment of the day, and no matter the circumstances or time of day, my feelings for them never waver.
Every time you leave me I get mad with you.
Whenever my significant other leaves me, I cannot help but become angry and resentful towards them for causing me pain and suffering.
I love you baby with all my might;
My love for my significant other is intense and consuming, and I give my all to them without hesitation.
Love like mine is out of sight.
Our love is so extraordinary and profound that it is hard to comprehend or imagine for anyone else who has not experienced it.
I'll lie for you if you want me to.
I am willing to do anything for my significant other, even if it means being deceitful, just to keep them happy and by my side.
I really don't believe that your love is true.
Despite my unwavering devotion, I cannot help but doubt my significant other's love for me, and fear that it is not as deep or genuine as mine.
Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JustinGuitarSongs
This t-shirt and more awesome (and exclusive) merch is available on my official store: https://merch.justinguitar.com/
BTW, I just realized I said the name of the album wrong, oops. It is just From The Cradle (not to the grave!).
@robertvanhousen1015
The Zombie Eric release
@user-bi5gs8mj4d
Fantastic lesson! So glad you are giving a detailed lesson on the RHYTHM! Not enough attention is paid to Rhythm aspect of playing, but it is Rhythm that carries a Song!
Andy Fairweather is an excellent Guitarist! Thanks again Justin!
@cosmicdebris3009
Dude, you are a national treasure.... Thanks.
@user-bi5gs8mj4d
International Treasure! After all , Justin’s lessons are everywhere with the internet! 😊🎸🎶
@Drew-B365
Justin, I remember when I first picked a guitar up in may 2010 and I had a friend tell me I should try this thing called YouTube cause they have all kinds of videos on there. And I remember you and Marty Schwartz were the only 2 I remember seeing at that time. But not only do your video very much help me learn but I only played for about 6 months and life happend and I wasn't able to start playing again until about 2 years ago and now when I see your videos amidst the endless tutorials I know that I will get a quality lesson from you and I have the nostalgia of a time when things were just..... Diffrent. I am a disabled veteran and I can't express how he guitar has saved my life. Tha k you so much for all that you do and I hope that you doing well. I seen you on an andertons video with your puppy and it just put me back years ago to a different time. Tha k you brother for all that you do
@fatihgldr
Justin, you know what makes you a great teacher? Because you always smiling! :)
@JustinGuitarSongs
I'm playing guitar, what's not to be happy about :)
@fatihgldr
JustinGuitar Songs Yeah, of course. 😂 But actually i remember you playing "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits, that was quite tearful moment.
@FWConch
Thanks for all you've done to help us develop our skills.. or lack there of in my case..