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.
Looking At The Rain
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling the pain
Of love lost running though
My brain
Looking at the wind
Watching it spin
The leaves along the street
You win
Telling you it's all a big mistake
Looking at a face
So out of place
Inside that picture frame
Of lace
Looking at the wall
Wishing you'd call
And tell me you're okay
That's all
Wishing this was all a dream
I'd find you sleeping when I wake
Looking at the trees
So well at ease
From sleep that will not come
That's me
Looking at the dawn
Knowing it's wrong
Still thinking of your love
That's gone
Wishing this was all a dream
I'd find you sleeping when I wake
Looking at the rain
Feeling the pain
Of love lost running though
My brain
Looking at the wind
Watching it spin
The leaves along the street
You win
Waiting for a line to fall
Telling you it's all a big mistake
But the words won't come
I know I'd feel the same
Looking at the rain
The lyrics to Eric Clapton's song "Looking At The Rain" depict a sense of longing and heartache. The rain becomes a metaphor for the pain caused by a lost love that keeps running through the singer's mind. The singer is feeling the pain and reminiscing about the love that was once there. The rain and the wind symbolize the external elements mirroring the internal turmoil. The leaves being spun by the wind represent how the love has moved on and the singer has lost the battle.
The lyrics also capture the singer's desire for reconciliation. They are waiting for a sign or a message that would indicate it was all a mistake, hoping for the person they lost to reach out and say everything is okay. The longing intensifies as the singer looks at a face so out of place in a picture frame, wishing for a call and reassurance. The desire for it all to be a dream is mentioned, suggesting that finding the person asleep would mean they are still present in the singer's life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Looking At The Rain" convey a sense of deep longing, pain, and hope for reconciliation. The rain, wind, leaves, and other elements in the lyrics serve as symbols to depict the emotional turmoil and the desire for the lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking at the rain
Observing the rain falling from the sky
Feeling the pain
Experiencing the emotional agony
Of love lost running though
My brain
The thoughts and memories of a past love haunting my mind
Looking at the wind
Observing the movement of the wind
Watching it spin
Witnessing the swirling motion
The leaves along the street
Noticing the leaves being carried by the wind
You win
Acknowledging that the forces of nature prevail
Waiting for a line to fall
Anticipating a message or sign to come
Telling you it's all a big mistake
Assuring that the entire situation was a misunderstanding
Looking at a face
Gazing upon someone's countenance
So out of place
Seemingly not fitting or appropriate
Inside that picture frame
Contained within the borders of a photograph
Of lace
Decorated with delicate fabric
Looking at the wall
Staring at the surface of the wall
Wishing you'd call
Desiring a phone call from you
And tell me you're okay
Assuring me of your well-being
That's all
Just that, nothing more or less
Wishing this was all a dream
Longing for the current situation to be an unreal scenario
I'd find you sleeping when I wake
Imagining that you would be peacefully asleep upon my awakening
Looking at the trees
Observing the presence of trees
So well at ease
Appearing calm and relaxed
From sleep that will not come
Unable to achieve a restful sleep
That's me
That describes my current state
Looking at the dawn
Gazing at the early morning light
Knowing it's wrong
Being aware that something is not right
Still thinking of your love
Continuously pondering over the affection you once had
That's gone
Acknowledging that the love is no longer present
But the words won't come
Unable to find the appropriate words to express
I know I'd feel the same
Understanding that the emotions would be mutual
Looking at the rain
Observing the rain falling from the sky
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GORDON LIGHTFOOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brent
on Mainline Florida
I always thought the song was about Florida. Not a woman. His friends told him that it was the place to be but as it turned out the only thing to do there was take cruises.
It makes sense because Florida has always had the reputation of being boring. A place where old people go to die.
Anonymous
on My Father's Eyes
13 Eric Clapton - You Were There Lyrics- From the Album - 1998 - Eric Clapton - Pilgrim
We made the distance
Yeah, we made the day
You made all the difference
'Cause you found the way
Without your wisdom
Lord, where would we be
Lost in the wilderness
Somewhere out at sea
But you were there
Through the days of wine and madness
When I'd always put you down
You were there
Through my joys and my sadness
And you never let me down
You found the meaning
And helped me to see
Where I was going to
All that I could be
Without permission
You turned the key
You climbed the prison wall
Deep inside of me
You were there
Through the days of wine and madness
When I'd turn and put, put you down
You were there
Through my joys and my sadness
And you never let me down
You were there
Through the days of wine and madness
When I'd turn and put, put you down
You were there
Through my joys and my sadness
And you never let me down
Let me down
Musical Outro
You were there
You were there
You were there
Anonymous
on My Father's Eyes
14 Inside Of Me Lyrics- From the Album - 1998 - Eric Clapton - Pilgrim
The point on the water, there's a chill in the air
A vibe in the darkness, but there's nobody there
I look for the reason but there's nothing to see
Just the hole in my memory where my mind used to be
Tell me why
Can I find no relief in my heart?
I reside
In a world that is falling apart
(Out of my mind baby, show me a sign, baby
Show me a way to get back on time)
Tell me why?
And where do we go from here
(Please where do we go, baby, how will I know?)
Tell me why
(Who holds the key, is it hidden inside of me?)
Musical Interlude
But why should I worry
And why do I care?
When this road that I walk on
Is going nowhere
I stand and I study
Every face in the crowd
See the fear in their eyes,
They must be thinking out loud
Tell me why
Can I find no relief in my heart?
'Cause I reside
In a world that is falling apart
(Out of my mind baby, show me a sign, baby)
Tell me why
(Show me a way to get back on time)
And where do we go
(Please where do we go, baby, how will I know?)
Where do we go from here
(Who holds the key, is it hidden inside of me?)
Scratching the surface,
It all looks the same
A world full of anger
With no one to blame
But who can I turn to,
Who holds the key?
And who has the answer?
I think it's inside of me
Tell me why
Can I find no relief in my heart?
'Cause I reside
To the world that is falling apart
(Out of my mind, baby, show me a sign, baby)
Where do we go from here
(Show me a way, to get back on time)
I want to know
(Where do we go, baby, how will I know?)
It isn’t my fault
(Who holds the key, is it hidden inside of me?)
Use it against
(All things considered it looks as though
Utopia were far closer to us than anyone
Only fifteen years ago, could have imagined)
(Then, I projected it six hundred years into the future
Today it seems quite possible that the
Horror may be upon us within a single century)
(That is, if we refrain from blowing
Ourselves to smithereens
In the interval)
(Indeed, unless we choose to decentralize
And to use applied science
Not as the end to which human beings are to be made the means)
(But as the means to producing a race of free individuals
We have only two alternatives to choose from
Either a number of national)
Anonymous
on Layla
01 Eric Clapton - I Feel Free Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp, bomp
I feel free
Feel when I dance with you,
We move like the sea.
You, you're all I want to know.
I feel free.
I feel free.
I feel free.
I can walk down the street, there's no one there
Though the pavements are one huge crowd.
I can drive down the road
My eyes don't see,
For my mind wants to cry out loud.
I, I, I, I feel free.
I feel free.
I feel free.
I can walk down the street, there's no one there
Though the pavements are one huge crowd.
I can drive down the road; my eyes don't see,
Though my mind wants to cry out loud,
Though my mind wants to cry out loud.
Dance floor is like the sea,
Ceiling is the sky.
You're the sun and as you shine on me,
I feel free.
I feel free.
I feel free.
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Anonymous
on Layla
02 Eric Clapton - Sunshine Of Your Love Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
Well it's getting near dawn
When lights close their tired eyes
I'll soon be with you my love
Give you my dawn surprise
I'll be with you darling soon
I'll be with you when the stars stop falling
I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love
I’ll make you my love
Light's shining through on you
Yes, I'm with you my love
It's the morning and just we two
I'll stay with you darling now
I'll stay with you till my seas are dried up
I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love
Musical Interlude
I'm with you my love
The light shinning through on you
Yes, I'm with you my love
It's the morning and just we two
I'll stay with you darling now
I'll stay with you till my seas are dried up
I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love
Musical Outro
Anonymous
on Layla
03 Eric Clapton - White Room Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
In the white room with black curtains in the station
Black roof country,
No gold pavements, tired starlings
Silver horses ran down moonbeams in your dark eyes
Dawn light smiles on you leaving, My contentment
I'll wait in this place where the sun never shines
Wait in this place where the shadows run from themselves
You said no strings
Could secure you at the station
Platform ticket, restless diesels, goodbye windows
I walked into such a sad time at the station
Been I walked out, felt my own need just beginning
I'll wait in the queue when the trains come back
Lie with you where the shadows run from themselves
At the party she was kindness in the hard crowd
Consolation for the old wound now forgotten
Yellow tigers crouched in jungles in her dark eyes
She's just dressing, goodbye windows, tired starlings
How sweet in this place with the lowly cry
Lie in the dark where the shadows
run from themselves
Musical Outro
Anonymous
on Layla
04 Eric Clapton - Crossroads Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, Save me if you please.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Nobody seemed to know me, Everybody passed me by.
When I'm going down to Rosedale, Take my rider by my side.
I'm going down to Rosedale,
Take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse,
Baby, on the riverside.
Musical Interlude
Going down to Rosedale,
Take my rider by my side.
Going down to Rosedale,
Take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse,
Baby, on the riverside.
Musical Interlude
You can run, you can run,
Tell my friend-boy baldy Brown.
Run, you can run, tell my friend-boy baldy Brown.
And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down.
Anonymous
on Layla
05 Eric Clapton - Badge Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
Thinkin' 'bout the times you drove in my car
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table
I told you not to wander 'round in the dark
I told you 'bout the swans, that they live in the park
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel
Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down
Don't you notice how the wheel goes 'round?
And you'd better pick yourself up from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down
Yes, before they bring the curtain down
Oh oh
Musical Interlude
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle
Anonymous
on Layla
06 Eric Clapton - Presence Of The Lord Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
I know that I don't have much to give,
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
Oh everybody knows the score, yes, yeah, yeah
I have finally found a way to live
In the colour of the Lord
I have finally found a place to live Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give,
But soon I'll open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
Oh everybody knows the score
I have finally found a place to live, Oh, in the presence of the Lord
In the presence of the Lord
Musical Interlude
I have finally found a way to live, Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give,
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
I said everybody knows the score
I have finally found a way to live
Oh in the colour of the Lord
In the colour of the Lord
Anonymous
on Layla
07 Eric Clapton - Blues Power Lyrics from the Album - 1995 - Eric Clapton - The Cream Of Clapton
Bet you didn't think I knew how to rock 'n' roll
Lord, I got the boogie-woogie right down in my very soul
There ain't no need for me to be a wallflower
'Cause now I'm living on blues power
I knew all the time but now I'm gonna let you know
I'm gonna keep on rocking, no matter if it's fast or slow
Ain't gonna stop until the twenty-fifth hour
'Cause now I'm living on blues power
Well bet you didn't think I knew how to rock 'n' roll
Lord, I got the boogie-woogie right down in my very soul
There ain't no need for me to be a wallflower
'Cause now I'm living on blues power
Musical Outro
Talking to you now
The blues is going to boogie too
Keep on, keep on, keep on……