Third Degree
Eric Clapton Lyrics

In Eric Clapton's song Third Degree, the lyrics talk about the singer being wrongly accused of various crimes and misdemeanors such as peeping, petting, murder, forgery, taxes, and even having children that aren't his own. The singer pleads his innocence throughout the song and expresses frustration at the constant scrutiny he is under. He describes his situation as "bad luck" and says that it's "killing" him, and he just can't take any more of the "third degree."

The term "third degree" refers to the intense and often brutal interrogation techniques used by law enforcement officials to extract confessions from suspects. These techniques often involve physical and psychological torture and have been widely criticized for violating human rights. In the context of the song, the singer is saying that he feels like he's being put through the same kind of grueling interrogation, even though he has done nothing wrong.

The lyrics of Third Degree speak to the unfair treatment that many people face in the criminal justice system. This theme is still highly relevant today, as many people continue to be wrongly accused and unfairly punished for crimes they did not commit. Clapton's song reminds us that we need to be vigilant in protecting the rights of all people, and that we should never assume someone's guilt based on mere accusations.