The 14 track CD, entitled the Road to Escondido, was produced and recorded by the duo in August 2005 in California. The resulting music defies being labeled into any one category, but instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk. A hybrid sound that is unique musically, while still bearing the signature styles of Cale and Clapton recognized by fans around the world. The songs are warm and rich, with deep flowing rhythms, yet use an economy of words to express much.
Last Will and Testament
J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton Lyrics
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She was hard as nails
I think that she just come out
Of the County jail
But I loaned her some money
Just to pay her rent
If I would, she would put me
Well, I got lots of children
An ex-wife or two
I never hear from them
Till the bills are due
The money I gave her
They already spent
If I could just help 'em out
They would put me in their last will and testament
You know I'm goin' over sixty
I'm older than most
It won't be long now
I'll be nothin' but a ghost
My intentions
It's my intent
To live on a little deeper
Havin' my last will and testament
And when it's all over
They put you in the ground
Send my belongings
To the 'Lost And Found'
My intent
To leave all the little people
Out of my last will and testament
The lyrics of "Last Will and Testament" by J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton describe the singer's encounter with an elderly woman who has just been released from prison. Despite her tough exterior, the singer sympathetically loans her money to pay her rent. However, the woman offers to put the singer in her last will and testament in return for his help. The lyrics then shift to the singer's own situation, where he has a number of children and ex-wives he rarely hears from until they need money. They have already spent all the money he previously gave them, but he hopes by helping them out again, they will remember him in their own last will and testament. The singer then reflects on his age and mortality, stating his intention to leave behind his own last will and testament and to exclude those who he refers to as "the little people."
The song explores themes of aging, family relationships, and mortality. As the singer grapples with his approaching death, he considers how his relationships with others will continue to influence his life after he is gone. He also makes a distinction between those who he considers important enough to include in his last will and testament and those who he does not.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I met this old woman
I encountered an elderly lady
She was hard as nails
She had a tough exterior
I think that she just come out
I suspect she just left
Of the County jail
From the local prison
But I loaned her some money
However, I gave her some funds
Just to pay her rent
Specifically for her housing expense
If I would, she would put me
In return, she promised to include me
In her last will and testament
In her final legal document
Well, I got lots of children
I have many offspring
An ex-wife or two
As well as a couple of former wives
I never hear from them
They rarely contact me
Till the bills are due
Unless they need money
The money I gave her
The money I lent to the lady
They already spent
Has already been used up
If I could just help 'em out
If only I could assist them
They would put me in their last will and testament
Then they might consider adding me to their estate plan
You know I'm goin' over sixty
I'll soon be over 60 years old
I'm older than most
I'm older than many people
It won't be long now
My remaining time is brief
I'll be nothin' but a ghost
I'll end up being nothing but a memory
My intentions
My objectives
It's my intent
I mean to
To live on a little deeper
To continue with a bit more depth
Havin' my last will and testament
Making sure that my final wishes are legally binding
And when it's all over
After everything is done
They put you in the ground
When you're buried
Send my belongings
Please transport my possessions
To the 'Lost And Found'
To the location for lost items
My intent
My plan
To leave all the little people
To exclude the less significant individuals
Out of my last will and testament
From my final legal document
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J.J. CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlo
Why? (interpretation/"deeper" meaning, e. g for these little people his stuff couldn't be helpful?)
@free2roam674
So fortunate to be alive to hear this amazing gift. C
@richarddoran4217
This album is so smooth. Wish they did more but they say save the best for last. JJ lives on
@ronfreeman5857
Cant get much cooler...these two dudes...and what a cool song....
@Danlson55
OH, JJ- you got Eric to join in a perfect song for the both of you
@dr.laurencemichaelcanadayj8512
I have been seeing and hearing this . . .feels so good, so good. YYYaaaaaaa.
@danieldeperiers2553
C'est super mimi sans compter l'époque du temps passé. 👍👍👍👏nôtre époque 🙌
@jackdon4448
Oh Baby!! This song makes me move my shoulders like a burlesque queen taking off her boa!!
@terrylusk9879
Amen JJ,CLAPTON..❤❤❤
@georgelaguna9640
I live in Escondido! Blues forever!