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 Got The Same Old Blues
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got it made, way across town
It's the same old story, tell me where does it end
Yes, I heard the news, it's the same old blues again
When I wrote you a letter, you must have read it wrong
I stood at your doorway, but you were gone
I took a lot of courage and let the telephone ring
When you give me the business, you know I get a mind
'Cause I've got a lot of patience and I've got a lot of time
It's the same old story, tell me where does it end
It's the same old blues, same old blues again
I'm gonna find me a mountain, I'm gonna hide out
I ain't talking to you and I ain't coming out
Yes, I heard that rumour, tell me where does it end
Yeah it's the same old blues, same old blues again
The lyrics to Eric Clapton's song I Got The Same Old Blues speak to the frustration and weariness of being stuck in a cycle of disappointment and letdown. The song starts off with the singer hearing a rumor that someone else has it all together while they are left with the same old problems. This theme repeats throughout the song as the singer describes trying to reach out to a loved one but being met with more disappointment, and ultimately deciding to retreat from the situation and find some space for themselves.
There are elements of resignation and even bitterness in the lyrics, as the singer seems to have given up hope of things changing. They mention having "a lot of patience and a lot of time" but it is unclear if they still believe that their patience will pay off or if they are simply tired of waiting. The decision to hide out in a mountain and not come out suggests a desire to distance themselves from the situation entirely, a feeling that many listeners may be able to relate to.
Overall, the lyrics to I Got The Same Old Blues convey a sense of resigned disappointment, but the bluesy melody and Clapton's soulful delivery give them an undeniable emotional power.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you heard that rumour that's going' around
Have you heard the gossip that people are spreading?
You got it made, way across town
You have everything you need and you're far away.
It's the same old story, tell me where does it end
This situation keeps happening, when will it stop?
Yes, I heard the news, it's the same old blues again
I received word that this problem is repeating itself.
When I wrote you a letter, you must have read it wrong
I think you misunderstood the message in my letter.
I stood at your doorway, but you were gone
I tried to talk to you, but you weren't there.
I took a lot of courage and let the telephone ring
I had to gather my courage to call you, but you didn't answer.
It's the same old blues, same old blues again
This familiar problem keeps happening again and again.
When you give me the business, you know I get a mind
When you give me a hard time, it affects me mentally.
'Cause I've got a lot of patience and I've got a lot of time
I can tolerate it for a while because I have patience and time.
I'm gonna find me a mountain, I'm gonna hide out
I need to get away and hide somewhere.
I ain't talking to you and I ain't coming out
I don't want to talk to you or come out of hiding.
Yes, I heard that rumour, tell me where does it end
I heard the rumor too, but I want to know when this situation will stop.
Yeah it's the same old blues, same old blues again
Unfortunately, this problem is repeating itself as usual.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: J. J. Cale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Exley
JJ Cale. What a fantastic talent he was. Sadly, sadly missed. Part of the soundtrack of my life.
Peter Clifton
Totally agree, mine too.👍👍
Marcos Gomes
Me too
祢曦
Mine too！
keithw 99
Another Jj masterpiece
Clapton keeping his mates music alive
The most underrated musician and songwriter I have been lucky to come across in my life
Jjs music will live on forever 👌👌
lucriou
From JJ Cale... RIP JJ Cale... Great talent
Jose Orozco vives
Buen ritmo buena voz buena Guitarra
William Rush
Always does a great job with JJ Cale's songs
Ben Hood
I am in love with Clapton's guitar
Eric Clapton History Book
This man has talent to take song and make it sound like his own!
Anyway, thank you J.J. Cale for this masterpiece. You were one of true greats.