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.
Who Do You Love?
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
Made from rattlesnake hide,
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
Made out of a human skull,
Now come on take a walk with me, Arlene,
And tell me, who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine,
Just 22 and I don't mind dying.
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
I rode around the town, use a rattlesnake whip,
Take it easy Arlene, don't give me no lip,
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Night was dark, but the sky was blue,
Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew,
Heard a bump, and somebody screamed,
You should have heard just what I seen.
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Arlene took me by my hand,
And she said ooowee Bo, you know I understand.
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
The above lyrics are from Eric Clapton's version of the song "Who Do You Love", which was originally written and released by blues artist Bo Diddley in 1956. These lyrics depict the singer's eccentricity and toughness as he describes himself wearing a cobra-snake as a necktie and living in a house made of rattlesnake hide with a chimney made of a human skull. He then beckons Arlene to walk with him and asks her the question "Who do you love?" repeatedly.
The second half of the lyrics describe the singer's fearlessness and disregard for danger as he acknowledges his own mortality at the age of 22, and mentions his use of a rattlesnake whip. Despite hearing a disturbing noise and scream in a dark alley, Arlene reassures the singer and they continue on their way, still repeating the question "Who do you love?"
Line by Line Meaning
I walk 47 miles of barbed wire,
I have overcome many obstacles and challenges.
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I have a bold and dangerous sense of fashion.
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
I have a new place to rest and call home.
Made from rattlesnake hide,
The materials I use are unique and unconventional.
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
My home has a unique feature that sets it apart from others.
Made out of a human skull,
The materials I use are unconventional and possibly disturbing.
Now come on take a walk with me, Arlene,
Join me in exploring the world and experiencing new things.
And tell me, who do you love?
Share with me the people and things that mean the most to you.
Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine,
I am comfortable with death and the macabre.
Just 22 and I don't mind dying.
My youth does not scare me away from the possibility of death.
I rode around the town, use a rattlesnake whip,
I enjoy the thrill of adventure and danger.
Take it easy Arlene, don't give me no lip,
Relax and enjoy the ride, don't worry about arguing with me.
Night was dark, but the sky was blue,
It was a paradoxical and unique situation.
Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew,
A strange and unexpected sight.
Heard a bump, and somebody screamed,
Something terrible and unexpected had happened.
You should have heard just what I seen.
The visual was intense and powerful.
Arlene took me by my hand,
I have someone special in my life who supports me.
And she said ooowee Bo, you know I understand.
She is empathetic and understanding of my experiences and perspectives.
Writer(s): ELLAS MCDANIEL
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@billbeliakoff5589
This shows how much class Clapton has. He has no problem playing rhythm for others and actually seems to enjoy it.
@josbruls
He had always wanted to join The Band but his requests were politely turned down.
@rayosofsky
According to Clapton, he never had the nerve to ask. @@josbruls
@davidnicol8997
RIP Robbie, you will be missed. The world is saddened by your passing today. Heaven got another great band member.
@joesephsmith7991
Monday January 8th 12 10 PM Mr. Robbie Robertson and Mr. Eric Clapton thank you for this wonderful performance.
@jtmet5
Something about Eric when he collaborates with these amazing musicians. He is happy to sit in the background and let them shine. Robby Robertson, Steve Winwood, John Mayer, etc. There’s simply nobody like Eric. That was an incredible version of an old classic.
@michaelburke9187
There is nothing more fun than watching musician's who respect each other play together.
@poppyorsini5505
Isn't it ? I love the look on Eric Clapton's fab who he's watching Robbie play!
@florianwolf9380
Great talents tend to share their skills, as well as appreciating & supporting new talents. Eric Clapton has always done that, putting him in the same league as B.B. King, Carlos Santana, etc. Simply put, a great musician and also just a good guy - period.
@zg1000dru1
So true...they each get off in their own unique ways and yet know how to step gracefully to the side for the other guy over and over again.