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.
Key To The Highway
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Billed out and bound to go
Gonna leave here running
Walking is much too slow
I'm going back to the border
Baby, where I'm better known
Because you haven't done nothing, baby
When the moon peeks over the mountains
Lil girl, I'll be on my way
I'm gonna roam this highway
Until the break of day
So give me one more kiss, darling
Just before I go
'Cause when I leave this time, little girl
I won't be back no more, no more
I got the key (I got the key) to the highway (to the highway)
Billed out and bound to go (I gotta go, I gotta go)
I'm gonna leave here running (mhm)
Walking is much too slow
"Key to the Highway" is a classic blues song that has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Eric Clapton, Big Bill Broonzy, and Little Walter. The lyrics describe a man who is leaving a woman behind and hitting the open road, saying goodbye to the things that have held him down and chasing after his freedom.
The singer in the song talks about having the "key to the highway," which means that he is ready to hit the road and leave his problems behind. He is "billed out and bound to go," meaning that he is settled up with his debts and obligations and has nothing holding him back. He declares that he is "going back to the border" because he is better known there and that the woman he is leaving behind has done nothing but drive a good man from home.
As he prepares to leave, the singer asks for "one more kiss" before he hits the road. He declares that he won't be coming back, saying "I won't be back no more, no more." He is ready to "roam this highway until the break of day" and is determined to keep moving forward.
Overall, the song is about freedom and the open road. It tells the story of a man who is ready to leave his problems behind and start over, driving into the unknown with nothing but his determination and drive.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the key to the highway
I have the capability and freedom to travel along the highway and explore the world
Billed out and bound to go
With everything ready and packed, I am determined to embark on my journey
Gonna leave here running
I will start my journey quickly without any delay
Walking is much too slow
Walking is too lethargic for the kind of pace I want in my journey
I'm going back to the border
I am returning to my place of origin or roots
Baby, where I'm better known
The place where I am well recognized and feel at home
Because you haven't done nothing, baby
You have not been contributive to our life together
But drove a good man from home
You caused a good man (perhaps referring to the song's narrator) to leave home
When the moon peeks over the mountains
In the dead of the night, I shall commence my journey
Lil girl, I'll be on my way
I will continue on my journey no matter what
I'm gonna roam this highway
I will explore every inch of the highway with freedom and without any restrictions
Until the break of day
I will not stop until the sun comes up, even if it takes all night
So give me one more kiss, darling
Before I leave, I want one more moment of intimacy with you
Just before I go
Right before I set off on my journey
'Cause when I leave this time, little girl
The next time I leave for a journey
I won't be back no more, no more
I will not return to the same place or relationship ever again
I got the key (I got the key) to the highway (to the highway)
I have full access to travel and explore on this vast and open highway
Billed out and bound to go (I gotta go, I gotta go)
I am fully prepared and committed to leaving now and chasing my dreams
I'm gonna leave here running (mhm)
I am anxious and excited to begin my journey and leave the past behind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Charles Segar, William Lee Conley Broonzy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@toielm2002
I got the key to the highway,
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running
Walking is most too slow.
I'm going back to the border
Woman, where I'm better known.
You know you haven't done nothing,
Drove a good man away from home.
When the moon peeks over the mountains
I'll be on my way.
I'm gonna roam this old highway
Until the break of day.
So long. So long babe
litle da im i say good bay
I'm gonna roam this old highway
Until the day i die.
I got the key to the highway,
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running;
Walking is most too slow.
@stevetrivago
Everyone on that stage is a musician….. and that is Sir Eric Clapton. Ok children, that concludes our conversation… Carry on… 💯☮️
@damlucky1438
...the greatest thing about Clapton is that he makes every song his own!
My personal Favorite Artist!!!
@geeky_ross
This has got to be one of the best performances of key to the highway I've ever seen from Clapton. Awesome.
@yochg911
yeah... true!!!!! .... but the piano is just as good... who is it? It ain't Nicky hopkins, but this is wonderful!
@Jallatt
So loose. It's great
@alessandro9285
@@yochg911That’s Chris Stainton!
@lizbethsdad
Very very good version!
@carusmike
I'd say it's above average, yet so wonderful to hear Chris tinkling. This serves as a great reminder to the second best guitar track performance in the history of music. KTTH off Layla.
@Staylogical
This man created loud rocking blues with Cream's version of Crossroads.It's damn hard not to love it.
@ddoeser5830
Fijn Weekend allemáál 👋Groetjes ❤🇳🇱🎸👍👋