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.
Mainline Florida
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My friends all say that you're the one.
Let me get this one thing very clear:
There ain't enough going on down here.
[Chorus]
Mainline Florida, oh say.
Mainline Florida, O.K.
Her arms were open, open wide;
Her invitation's a changing tide.
I could remember not long ago
We took a cruise down on Hotel Row.
[Chorus]
Her arms were open, open wide;
Her invitation's a changing tide.
I could remember not long ago
We took a cruise down on Hotel Row.
[Chorus]
In Eric Clapton's song Mainline Florida, the lyrics describe the singer's experience of falling in love and dreaming of a life with someone special. The beginning of the song suggests that the singer is excited by the newness of the relationship and that the sun is shining bright upon him, encouraging his heart to leap. His friends approve of the relationship, indicating that the singer is not alone in his love for this woman.
However, as the song continues, the singer acknowledges that something is not quite right. The phrase "there ain't enough going on down here" suggests that there is a lack of excitement and substance in his current environment. He then sings about the woman's arms being open wide, implying that she is offering him a sense of comfort and security that he can't find elsewhere. He remembers their past experiences together, including a romantic cruise down Hotel Row.
Overall, Mainline Florida is a song about feeling restless and searching for something more, while also appreciating the connection and joy found in a new romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart was leaping in the sun;
I was feeling joyous and alive under the sunny skies.
My friends all say that you're the one.
My friends believe that you're the right person for me.
Let me get this one thing very clear:
I want to make sure that there is no confusion or misinterpretation.
There ain't enough going on down here.
There isn't enough excitement or activity in this place.
[Chorus] Mainline Florida, oh say. Mainline Florida, O.K.
The chorus is a call to go to Florida, the center of excitement and fun.
Her arms were open, open wide;
She was welcoming me with an open embrace.
Her invitation's a changing tide.
Her offer to spend time with me is unpredictable and constantly changing.
I could remember not long ago
It wasn't too long ago that we were together.
We took a cruise down on Hotel Row.
We went on a leisurely drive around the popular hotels.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE E. TERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brent
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.