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.
Tell The Truth
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell the truth
Now, who's been fooling who?
There you sit there, looking so cool
The whole show is passing you by
Better come to terms with your fellow men soon because
A new dawn is breaking now, I can see it
Tell the truth
Tell me who's been fooling you
(Whoa-oh, babe)
Tell the truth
Now who's been fooling who?
Oh, it doesn't matter to stop who you are
Or where you're gonna be, naturally
Open your eyes and take a look at your heart
Whole world is shaking now, I can feel it
A new dawn is breaking now, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah
Tell the truth
Tell me who's been fooling you (whoa-oh)
Tell the truth
Now, who's been fooling you?
Ohh, hear what I say, every word is true
Oh, baby, I wouldn't tell you no lie, no
Your time's coming, is gonna be soon, 'cause the
Whole world is shaking now, I can feel it
A new dawn is breaking now, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah, I can see it
I can see it, yeah
Thank you
The song "Tell the Truth" is a call for honesty and self-reflection. The chorus questions who has been fooling whom and encourages the listener to tell the truth. The verses address someone who is detached from the world and is missing out on what's happening around them. The singer urges this person to connect with others and get in touch with their own feelings. The lines "a new dawn is breaking now, can't you see it?" serve as a metaphor for the need to awaken to the world and its possibilities.
The song can be seen as a commentary on the Vietnam War era and the need for people to speak out against injustice and inequality. The lines "open your eyes and look into your heart" suggest a call to action and a need for individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and for the world around them. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the importance of honesty and the need for individuals to take a hard look at themselves and their own behavior.
Overall, "Tell the Truth" is a powerful song that encourages listeners to be true to themselves and to the world around them. The message remains as relevant today as it did when the song was written, and the music and lyrics continue to inspire and move people around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell the truth.
Be honest and straightforward about the situation.
Tell me who's been fooling you?
Who has been deceiving or tricking you?
Tell the truth.
Again, emphasizing the importance of honesty.
Who's been fooling who?
Who is deceiving whom? The blame is uncertain.
There you sit there, looking so cool
Despite the chaos around you, you remain calm and composed.
While the whole show is passing you by.
Life is happening around you, and you are not actively participating in it.
You better come to terms with your fellow men soon, cause
It is important to reconcile with people around you quickly because of the current situation.
The whole world is shaking now. Can't you feel it?
The world is in turmoil, and it's hard not to notice it.
A new dawn is breaking now. Can't you see it?
There is a new beginning emerging, and it's time to embrace it.
It doesn't matter just who you are,
Your social status, background, or experience doesn't define you.
Or where you're going or been.
It doesn't matter where you're headed or where you've come from.
Open your eyes and look into your heart.
The solution lies within yourself, and it's time to reflect on it.
Hear what I say, 'cause every word is true.
Pay attention to what I'm saying since I'm speaking the truth.
You know I wouldn't tell you no lies.
The singer can be trusted and is honest.
Your time's coming, gonna be soon, boy.
The time to act or make a change is approaching quickly.
It doesn't matter just who you are,
Reiterating that external factors do not define us.
Or where you're going or been.
One's past or future itinerary does not matter.
Open your eyes and look into your heart.
The answer to your problems is within yourself, and it's time to reflect on it.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby Whitlock, Eric Clapton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Derrick Oneal
Damn Carl radle never stopped getting better as a bassist incredible
Mike DiCiero
I don't understand why people keep forgetting to mention Bobby Whitlocks contributions during this period, He's a creative genius and deserves so much more respect
Kyle Wood
Absolutely
Bluharzo
He co-wrote all those song on the album and was the other voice on that album..Eric and Bobby singing was perfect...
Nigel Tufnel
Who has forgotten? I would surmise more have forgotten about Yvonne Elliman and Marcy Levy.
BuckMulligan72
Probably the best incarnation of a Clapton band ever. Such a good sound.
Brian Wells
Crossroads 07 in Chicago, Clapton laid the crowd to waste with this! Doyle and Derek were totally in a groove, basically pushing Eric to pull out all the stops! As he should ❤
John Mcclung
This is the best version of this song I’ve heard all of them
MegaDave
Live at the Fillmore I think is better. Clapton still had an intensity. By this period the flame had gone
Billy Petro
MegaDave’s ears obviously don’t work to well anymore