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.
Man Overboard
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me laugh make me cry, you make me live make me die.
You put me in put me out, you make me scream make me shout.
You pick me up put me down, you make me king make me clown.
[Chorus]
I'm like a man on fire, a man overboard.
I'm like a man on fire, a man overboard.
You can turn on the light in the middle of the night.
You can put me to rest, what you do is the best.
You can turn me away and get me back the next day.
You can fill up my heart or you can tear it apart.
[Chorus]
You got me so excited you put my heart on overload.
You got my soul ignited, I'm getting ready to explode.
There ain't no early warning for what I'm going through.
I got the fever in the morning because my heart is set on you.
[Chorus]
The lyrics in this song are about the ups and downs of a passionate and tumultuous relationship. The singer describes his partner's unpredictable behavior, how they can make him both happy and sad, and how they can lift him up or tear him down. He compares his feelings to being like a man on fire, burning with passion and desire. When he says he's a man overboard, he's expressing the feeling of being out of control, as if he's lost at sea and at the mercy of the currents.
The chorus is particularly powerful as he repeats the same lines twice, emphasizing the intensity of his emotions. The relationship is like a rollercoaster ride and the singer can't seem to get enough of it, even though it's clearly driving him crazy. He can't help but be drawn to this person who has such a hold over him, even though he knows it's not always healthy.
Overall, the lyrics are a raw and honest expression of the struggles and joys that come with intense romantic relationships. They capture both the excitement and the danger of giving yourself over completely to another person, and the feeling of being powerless in the face of those emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you do when you don't, you say you will when you won't.
You often say you'll do something but don't follow through, confusing me.
You make me laugh make me cry, you make me live make me die.
You bring me both happiness and sadness, and have a significant impact on my life.
You put me in put me out, you make me scream make me shout.
You play with my emotions, making me feel trapped and frustrated.
You pick me up put me down, you make me king make me clown.
You elevate me one moment, and then humiliate me the next, causing a shift in power between us.
I'm like a man on fire, a man overboard.
I'm overwhelmed by my intense feelings for you, and feel like I'm drowning in them.
You can turn on the light in the middle of the night.
You have the power to bring clarity to my life, even in the darkest of times.
You can put me to rest, what you do is the best.
You have the power to calm me down, and I always trust your judgement over mine.
You can turn me away and get me back the next day.
You have the ability to push me away, only to pull me back in with ease.
You can fill up my heart or you can tear it apart.
You can either make me feel complete and fulfilled, or completely destroy me emotionally.
You got me so excited you put my heart on overload.
You excite me to the point where I am consumed by my emotions, and don't know how to handle them.
You got my soul ignited, I'm getting ready to explode.
You have ignited a passion within me that is so intense, it's almost too much to bear.
There ain't no early warning for what I'm going through.
I can't predict or prepare for the feelings I have for you.
I got the fever in the morning because my heart is set on you.
I wake up each day consumed by my feelings for you, and can't seem to shake them off.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jacie Hamalainen
Love this tune..Whole album had such a good feel to it..
Dr Jamshed
one of my favorite during my medical school days and even today its a soothing option out of day long clinical dumping. Eric is one of it kind I have heartful respect for any of his albums. God give him long life for his service to the humanity. lots of love
Riff Digger
Melodic with feeling. "You got me so excited you put my heart on overload.
You got my soul ignited, I'm getting ready to explode.
There ain't no early warning for what I'm going through.
I got the fever in the morning because my heart is set on you". Wow, the feeling!
Joe 54b
EXCELLENTE'! ..and Lord, I second that part about his service to all of humanity.... Wonderful human. Doc. //His bio . is worth the read. much love, to you, Eric, and, the Lord ...thank you!
Danny Gooyer
So nice album my dad had it on cassette. I love it!!
Riff Digger
Melodic with feeling. "You got me so excited you put my heart on overload.
You got my soul ignited, I'm getting ready to explode.
There ain't no early warning for what I'm going through.
I got the fever in the morning because my heart is set on you". Wow, the feeling!
Morcaiden
Among my top 5 Clapton favorites...man on fire, man overboard!
MeloLand
Wonderful song.
Roby Lazarus
What a class album...Thanks for sharing. Much love from India.
Sgt. Pepper
did he never play it live? shame because it's one of the definitive Clapton 80's songs