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.
Judgement Day
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The time's run out now, you can't stay
Screaming and crying, you got to go
Turn and say, "Peter won't you open the door?"
Yes, I'm coming
(Yes, I'm coming)
Yes, I'm coming
Yes, I'm coming
Just like my time alone
When I die you can't bury me
Tombstone women at my head and feet
You fold my arms across my chest
You tell me friends that I'm gone to rest
Yes, I'm coming
(Yes, I'm coming)
Yes, I'm coming
(Yes, I'm coming)
Yes, I'm coming
Just like my time alone
When I'm dead right there in my grave
You're gonna be sorry
That you treat me like a slave
There ain't no one can take my place
You're gonna cry your blues away
Yes, I'm coming
Yes, I'm coming
Yes, I'm coming
Just like my time alone
"Judgement Day" is a powerful and introspective song that explores the concept of facing God's judgement at the end of one's life. The song speaks of the inevitability of death and the need to be prepared for the afterlife. The opening lines, "What you gonna do on judgement day, the time's run out now, you can't stay" suggest that the singer is faced with a sense of urgency to answer for his sins and prepare himself for the final judgement. The imagery of "screaming and crying, you got to go" adds to the weighty sense of impending doom.
The lyrics also suggest a desire to be forgiven for past transgressions. When the singer pleads with Peter to open the door for him, it is a metaphor for seeking forgiveness and acceptance into heaven. The repetition of "Yes, I'm coming" throughout the song is a declaration of the singer's readiness to face death and face his Maker. The line "Just like my time alone" may refer to the feeling of being isolated in the afterlife and facing the consequences of one's own actions.
Overall, "Judgement Day" is a song that encourages reflection on the ultimate purpose of life and the need to live purposefully in order to be prepared for what lies beyond. It is a powerful reminder of the need to seek forgiveness and to live a life that is worthy of eternal reward.
Line by Line Meaning
What you gonna do on judgement day
What actions will you take when you face judgment for your actions?
The time's run out now, you can't stay
You can no longer delay or avoid the consequences of your actions.
Screaming and crying, you got to go
You will be forced to leave this world, despite any resistance you may have.
Turn and say, "Peter won't you open the door?"
You may plead for mercy, but ultimately, it is not up to you to decide your fate.
Yes, I'm coming
(Yes, I'm coming)
Yes, I'm coming
(Yes, I'm coming)
Yes, I'm coming
Just like my time alone
The artist acknowledges their own mortality and inevitability of death.
When I die you can't bury me
Even in death, the singer will not be contained or controlled by others.
Tombstone women at my head and feet
The singer references a common superstition that having statues of women at the gravesite would keep the dead from returning to haunt the living.
You fold my arms across my chest
You tell me friends that I'm gone to rest
The artist acknowledges the ritual of preparing a body for burial and notifying loved ones of their passing.
When I'm dead right there in my grave
You're gonna be sorry
That you treat me like a slave
The artist predicts that those who mistreated them in life will feel remorse after their death.
There ain't no one can take my place
You're gonna cry your blues away
The artist asserts their individuality and warns that those who underestimated them will regret it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, SELWYN DAJUAN BOUGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Graham Geisler
If I had possession over judgment day
If I had possession over judgment day
Lord, the women I'm lovin' would have no right to pray
And I went to the mountain, far as my eye could see
Lord, I went to the mountain, far as my eye could see
Some other man got my woman and the lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled, cried the whole night long
Lord, I rolled and I tumbled, cried the whole night long
And I woke up this morning, my biscuit rollin' on
Had to fold my arms and slowly walked away
(I didn't like the way she done)
Lord, I fold my arms and I slowly walked away
Well, I said in my mind, "Your trouble gonna come some day."
Well, now run here baby, get down on bended knee
Lord, now run here baby, get down on bended knee
I want to tell you all about the way they treated me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Robert Johnson / Woody Payne
Tony Harris
Man, I had this dvd set and I can't even count how many times I watched it.
Mr. X
2:48 bass player & guitarist are showing what playing music is all about; priceless reactions!
inspectorjack
definitely one of my favorite artists!
Graham Geisler
If I had possession over judgment day
If I had possession over judgment day
Lord, the women I'm lovin' would have no right to pray
And I went to the mountain, far as my eye could see
Lord, I went to the mountain, far as my eye could see
Some other man got my woman and the lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled, cried the whole night long
Lord, I rolled and I tumbled, cried the whole night long
And I woke up this morning, my biscuit rollin' on
Had to fold my arms and slowly walked away
(I didn't like the way she done)
Lord, I fold my arms and I slowly walked away
Well, I said in my mind, "Your trouble gonna come some day."
Well, now run here baby, get down on bended knee
Lord, now run here baby, get down on bended knee
I want to tell you all about the way they treated me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Robert Johnson / Woody Payne
c4ligrl
My favorite song by my favorite musician. OMG...look out now.
AdirondackBuzzard
Is this version of the song on a CD anywhere? A great driving tune right here!
cashpresley
there's a very similar sounding studio version that can be found on "Sessions For Robert J."
FERNANDO MARINELLI
FANTASTIC!!!
Mr. X
Seriously, does it get any better than this? :)
Randy Stallard
Mr. X-- Absolutely does not, this is the shit, ass kickin foot stompin make you wanna move music!!! Wish I were there and had seen it live!!!