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.
If I Could Change the World
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine it on your heart so you could see the truth
That this love I have inside, is everything it seems
But for now I find, it's only in my dreams
If I could change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
And if I could be king, even for a day
I'd take you as my queen, I'd have it no other way
And our love would rule, this kingdom we had made
Till then I'd be a fool, wishing for the day
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world
If I could change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world
Eric Clapton's song If I Could Change the World is a romantic ballad about a man's desire to take his love beyond the dreams and make it a reality. The first stanza talks about the intensity of his love that he wishes to reflect upon his beloved through the metaphor of a star shining upon her heart. This love he has inside is true, but he can't make her see it in reality. The second stanza carries the same essence of connecting with the love of his life with a more significant desire to become the king for a day and calling his love for the queen. He talks about how his love would rule their kingdom if he had one, and how he'd be foolish if he kept on wishing. Therefore, he wishes to change the world to showcase his love and impress his beloved.
Eric Clapton's lyrics capture the emotions and passion of someone in love, the desire of wanting to make their beloved feel special, and the lengths they would go to achieve it. The theme is universal, making it an evergreen song that is still popular today. The slow and mellow music, combined with Clapton's signature guitar-playing, adds a subtle touch to the song which creates a serene atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could reach the stars, pull one down for you
If I had the power to reach the stars, I will bring one down for you.
Shine it on your heart so you could see the truth
I will shine the star on your heart so you could see the truth about my love.
That this love I have inside, is everything it seems
I want you to know that the love I have is genuine and true.
But for now I find, it's only in my dreams
Unfortunately, this love is only a dream for me at the moment.
If I could change the world
If I had the power to make things right in the world.
I would be the sunlight in your universe
I would be your source of happiness and warmth.
You would think my love was really something good
You would recognize the true depth and quality of my love if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world
My desire to change the world for you is so strong and genuine.
And if I could be king, even for a day
If I had the power and authority of a king, even for a single day.
I'd take you as my queen, I'd have it no other way
I will choose you as my queen and have no other person take that place.
And our love would rule, this kingdom we had made
We will rule our kingdom of love and cherish each other deeply.
Till then I'd be a fool, wishing for the day
Until that time, I would be foolishly wishing for the moment when my dream will become a reality.
Baby if I could change the world
The intensity of my desire to change the world for you is so high that I repeat it again.
Baby if I could change the world
I repeat it again to emphasize how much I want to change the world just for you.
Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@imafrog4
Babyface does an amazing job on these backing vocals! I love his voice.
@TBBrickYT
OH!!! OH!!! THAT IS BABYFACE!!! ❤❤❤
@hahadarrie
Wowwww thank you!!
@chanticochran2038
I KNEW I heard Babyface in the background!!!!
@MKnight1121
Absolutely beautiful vocals.
@MusicalHeARTnSoul
Hardout! 🙌
@toohardfortheradio3189
Growing up listening to this song on the radio in my parents old Buick century. Now I dance with my baby boy to this song. It's so pure, soft and a absolute master piece!
@gaborneszatmari2792
Ugye, Clapton dalai annyira tiszták?!
Azt hittem, csak én érzem így... 😊
@samantharobertson3423
Ohnmy gosh. I sang this to my daughter and now my son. He smiles every time.
@anita7136
I love it! Just had a baby girl and danced with her to this. ❤