Bell Bottom Blues

this is one of my favorite clapton songs. it speaks, intensely, of the unconditional love he felt for this woman (presumably patti harrison - whom he writes about in "layla"). on the last verse, though, he says "don't be surprised if you find me with another lover." so while this song speaks of overpowering, weakening love, it also speaks of his ability to overcome a love that does him no good. that is what makes it so fabulous.

clapton is god with a stratocaster. there is no better loser

music at its best. in my opinion.

his lyrics are never dull and never repeat too often, not that thats a terrible thing

It doesn't make total sense that the subject (Bell Bottom Blues) of "Bell Bottom Blues" is a woman, in spite of the Layla album being inspired by Mrs. Harrison. (What does 'Bell Bottoms' have to do with a woman? Unless it's some sort of insider thing..) "Bell Bottom Blues" is actually one of the few songs on the album that doesn't explicitly reference Patti Boyd. The subject of "Bell Bottom Blues" is the music itself. (I.e., a bunch rock-n-roll elite in bell bottoms hard at work doing their thing.)

The Music of Layla is very distinct, a sound I haven't personally heard anywhere else. The making of the music is a love in of itself, and it is the music of Layla to which this love song is dedicated. (It may take a musician to appreciate.)

Eric Clapton indeed found other lovers, but it's my opinion that this one was the most notable love of his life. If I were him, I would indeed want to go back to "Bell Bottom Blues", even to this day (2005). After 30 years of hardcore drug use, I doubt "Bell Bottom Blues" will have him back. Love stories are sad. But clearly a great song.

This is an unabashed favorite of mine, and you (lyricstudent) have managed to taint it forever with your over-overanalyzing reach. Your reach for an alternative meaning has ruined a great song .

Umm... that's just what he's saying...

Actually, I used to think the song had to do with a woman, because the words are something you'd say to your wife after you beat the shit out of her. But I never realliy liked the song because everything seemed out of place.. the meaning! What the hell does "Bell Bottom Blues" have to do with a woman, and why the hell should I identify with it?

If Bell Bottom Blues is a woman, then I don't know anyone like her, and the topic doesn't do anything for me.

But the fact -- so I think and you never can know unless Clapton comes out -- that Bell Bottom Blues is the music, really makes the whole Layla album kick ass. It's a direct statement that the music was not processed bullshit designed for making money.

But judging from your reaction, the sentiment didn't matter.

Well, Clapton did say that this entire album was about Boyd. So, I assume that this song is about her. But it does make sense that this song is multi-layered. He was so mired in drugs and alchohol to take away his pain of Boyd/Harrison issue. To me, this song represents this love that he knows is bad. It will hurt, its not healthy, and damnit.....he can't help it! Imagine that is how he feels about Boyd and about the drugs. he knows it will ruin everything, but he just wants her so bad that he is willing to "crawl across the floor" for the love. In the end, he acknowledges that time will pass, and the love will burn itself out. Anything this passionate will burn out. Honestly, this is my all time favorite Clapton song. Oh side note....play this song to your girl, and you are guaranteed a good time in bed!

i don't doubt clapton said that the entire album was about boyd... But the thing that I totally identify with in this song is the title "Bell Bottom Blues".. Music Yes.

The word "Blues" could be associated with the heartache.. I agree. But I don't think that he could have the Allman brothers and the all star line up if it was all about his fetish.. If I were the other musicians, I'd be there for the music.. Because clapton was a kick ass guitarist (he WAS, now he's over the hill).. not for emotional support and for tranvestite Lola style bonding.

Songs like this have many interpretations.. I don't think Clapton cited anywhere a specific prescription for the exact meaning of any of his songs on Layla, other than that they are all about her.

Just take a step back and listen to "bell bottom blues"... they are jamming.. and singing.. the music. Oh yeah, and it's about Patti Boyd.

You're actually both wrong, this song according to Bobby Whitlock (pianist, guitarist and vocals on album) this is a song about a woman that Clapton had a short lived fling with during these sessions. The woman didn't speak English and the affair didn't last long, but it is about her nonetheless. And another thing, Whitlock wrote more on this song than Clapton himself did. Hope I didn't ruin anything for anyone.

This web site is so shitty, I wish you could erase a duplicate, but if you hit the back button, you are screwed.