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.
River Runs Deep
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The river runs deep and the water is cold as ice
I go down there every chance I get
It's where my baby she met her death
And the river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Ain't no woman gonna make a fool out of me
Ain't no woman gonna make a fool out of me
She's at the bottom of the river dead
And the river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Cheating woman gonna get a good man down
Cheating woman gonna get a good man down
Running 'round like a silly fool
End up at the bottom of the pool
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Eric Clapton's "River Runs Deep" is a song about a man who goes to a river to mourn the death of his love, who apparently died under suspicious circumstances. The first verse of the song mentions the cold water and how the singer visits often. It is in the second verse that we hear about his lover's death, which is referred to as her "meeting her death." The singer is defiant and states that no woman will make a fool out of him like his lover apparently did. He further emphasizes his point in the third verse when he sings that cheating women will end up at the bottom of the pool. The refrain repeats the lines from the first verse, emphasizing the deepness and coldness of the river.
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, but some have suggested that the woman's death may have been a result of foul play. The singer's anger and indignation towards her suggest that he may suspect that she was unfaithful or deceptive. The river serves as a metaphor for death, and in this context, it represents the place where the singer goes to mourn and seek closure.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the river runs deep and the water is cold as ice
The river is deep and the water is frigid.
I go down there every chance I get
I frequent the river often.
It's where my baby she met her death
My significant other died at the river.
Ain't no woman gonna make a fool out of me
I won't be fooled by any women.
Running 'round, that's what they said
They claimed she was unfaithful.
She's at the bottom of the river dead
She's deceased at the river's floor.
Cheating woman gonna get a good man down
Unfaithful women will bring good men down.
Running 'round like a silly fool
Behaving foolishly and promiscuously.
End up at the bottom of the pool
Resulting in death at the river's depths.
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Reiterating the depth and temperature of the river.
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Reiterating the depth and temperature of the river.
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Reiterating the depth and temperature of the river.
The river runs deep and the water's cold as ice
Reiterating the depth and temperature of the river.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: J.J. CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FrederickDefraeye
Actually, you need to consider the fact that Clapton's covering of Cale's song, did a lot to introduce Cale's music to a wider audience. Moreover, I think that someone like Clapton covering your song(s) is to be regarded as a great honour.
Brenda Canavas
It's an awesome song!
Brenda Canavas
love the song..love Eric Clapton!
Lars Anders
great song!........Clapton forever!
Evan
Six Blade Knife is a great song and it is similar to this. Mark Knopfler has said that JJ Cale was an influence to him, and JJ Cale has said that instead of taking his songs like most do (Clapton), Knopfler instead took his sound. JJ Cale is a living legend.
Scot Killough
RIP
Nathan
Deeper you go the colder it gets, reminding us that the more involved we become the more painful loss becomes
Juan Pablo Perez
"The river runs deep and the water is cold as ice." is stuck in my head
Killer Wave
очень хороший миксинг
Michael Anderson
Very mellow man. I dig it..