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.
Slow Down Linda
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got more ashes than Wednesday and you know I can brew my tea.
I'm fixing to teach you everything I know,
I'll take you with me baby everywhere I go.
If I can catch you for a minute I know you'll take a chance with me.
[Chorus]
So slow down, slow down Linda.
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
I've seen you speeding down the highway when you ought to dig the scenery.
And you can wolf down your dinner in the time it takes to drink my tea.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
I can't keep running much longer you always go too fast for me.
[Chorus]
I think that you're getting too old to be running around,
I think that it's time you thought about settling down,
So slow down, slow down Linda,
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
I can't keep running much longer, you always go too fast for me.
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Eric Clapton's song "Slow Down Linda" is a cheerful warning to a woman who's always in a hurry. He offers to teach her how to slow down and enjoy life, and he sees himself as a partner who could enjoy her company on this journey. Clapton asks her to slow down and save some time for him, and reminds her that he's been waiting for her. The singer believes that Linda is losing the charm of the things she's rushing past, and she might be getting too old for that kind of lifestyle. He's tired of chasing after her, and sees her carefree attitude as a challenge to his intent to settle down.
In the first verse, Clapton declares himself a winner, and he knows how to charm Linda. He implies that he has "more ashes than Wednesday," meaning that he is experienced and worldly-wise. He's got a deep personality and a sensual appreciation of things, compared to Linda's speedy and shallow dealings. In the second verse, Linda is described as someone who's too practical and productive, wolfing down her dinner and missing the scenery on the highway. Perhaps, Clapton implies, Linda needs to learn how to take a break and admire the beauty of life. In the last verse, Clapton hints that Linda might be aging or losing her youth, while he, as a man, is ready to settle down. He asks her again to slow down, in a gentle and convincing way, emphasizing that he's waiting for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, if you're looking for a winner, then you know you've got to go with me.
If you're searching for a champion, it's evident that I'm the one.
I've got more ashes than Wednesday and you know I can brew my tea.
I've had my share of experience and I know my way around my cup of tea.
I'm fixing to teach you everything I know,
I want to share everything I've learned with you.
I'll take you with me baby everywhere I go.
I want you to come along with me wherever I go, darling.
If I can catch you for a minute I know you'll take a chance with me.
If I can get you to pause for a moment, I believe you will take a chance with me.
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Please take it slow, Linda.
Don't you think that you could save a little time with me?
Wouldn't you agree that spending some time with me would be worthwhile?
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
Do you realize how much I've longed for your presence?
I've seen you speeding down the highway when you ought to dig the scenery.
I've observed you hastily moving through your journey when you should be relishing the view.
And you can wolf down your dinner in the time it takes to drink my tea.
You can devour your meal faster than I can enjoy my tea.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You're always in a hurry wherever you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
You make me feel left behind and helpless by the wayside.
I can't keep running much longer you always go too fast for me.
I can't keep up the pace much longer since you always travel quicker than I can endure.
I think that you're getting too old to be running around,
It appears that you should be settling down because of your age,
I think that it's time you thought about settling down,
I believe you should start contemplating finding stability,
So slow down, slow down Linda,
Please try to move at a more leisurely pace, Linda,
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
You have no idea how much I've wanted to spend time with you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erikasklinc5697
Well, if you're looking for a winner, you know you've got to go with me.
I've got more ashes than Wednesday and you know I can brew my tea.
Well I'm fixing to teach you everything I know,
I'll take you with me baby everywhere I go.
If I can catch you for a minute I know you'll take a chance with me.
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you think that you could save a little time with me?
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
I've seen you speeding down the highway when you ought to dig the scenery.
And you can wolf down your dinner in the time it takes to drink my tea.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
I can't keep running much longer you always go too fast for me.
I think that you're getting too old to be running around,
I think that it's time you thought about settling down,
So slow down, slow down Linda,
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
I can't keep running much longer, you always go too fast for me.
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you think that you could save a little time with me?
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you think that you could save a little time with me?
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
@saito3708
Well, if you're looking for a winner, then you know you've got to go with me.
I've got more ashes than Wednesday and you know I can brew my tea.
I'm fixing to teach you everything I know,
I'll take you with me baby everywhere I go.
If I can catch you for a minute I know you'll take a chance with me.
[Chorus]
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you think that you could save a little time with me?
So slow down, slow down Linda.
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company?
I've seen you speeding down the highway when you ought to dig the scenery.
And you can wolf down your dinner in the time it takes to drink my tea.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
I can't keep running much longer you always go too fast for me.
[Chorus]
I think that you're getting too old to be running around,
I think that it's time you thought about settling down,
So slow down, slow down Linda,
Don't you know that I've been waiting for your company.
You're always rushing 'round everywhere you go,
You leave me eating dirt on the side of the road.
I can't keep running much longer, you always go too fast for me.
@stellastarr69
My mom's name was Linda. She was "THE BEST WOMAN" I've ever know. I love you mom. R.I.P. Thank You Mr. Clapton!!:)
@sunnygogoi2063
😭😭😢😭😢😭😢😭😢😢😢😢
@albionprimaursalam2837
To all the Linda's out there shine from within u deserve it :D
@franzbrabenetz2687
Einfach ein Ohrwurm, einfach genial, einfach Clapton
@Retroscoop
Ha I didn't know the same word is used as in Dutch (Oorworm)....
@FOTOLANCE100
I love this song,
@lindaseidel5025
I'll never slow down...❤️.
@Retroscoop
Bwah, all it takes is the younger brother of George Clooney, and your knees will start to get weaker. I've seen so many bold and speeding Linda's go down this way....
@BloozeDaddy76
One of Eric's best overlooked rockers that should've been a hit. I wish Clapton would record more fun boogie tunes in this style.
@richierich291266
This is some good-time rockin' blues. Rawhide!