Meaning of Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton & Song Story

The Sad Meaning of Tears in Heaven. March 20, 1991 was the saddest date in the life of Eric Clapton. His four-year-old son Conor, who lived with his mother, actress Laurie Del Santo, died after falling out of a window on the fifty-third floor of a New York skyscraper. Within nine months, Clapton was heartbroken. He did not engage in creativity and did not perform.

The history of the song Tears in Heaven

When Eric came to his senses a little, his first work was the composition Help Me Up, created together with Will Jennings for the soundtrack to the movie Rush (“High”). Clapton then said that he would like to write a song about his son, for which he found the right place in the picture. He had the first verse ready and asked Jennings to help with the lyrics. Will initially refused, as the topic seemed too personal to him, but Clapton insisted on it.

Tears in Heaven was first featured in the movie Rush and then recorded in an acoustic version. It became one of the most famous songs of Eric Clapton, which for a long time occupied the top lines of the charts, was awarded three Grammys and an MTV award, and also entered the list of the five hundred best songs according to Rolling Stone.

Clapton has repeatedly said that Tears in Heaven helped him deal with grief. Since 2004, he no longer performs it (as well as the song My Father’s Eyes). He explained his decision as follows:

I no longer feel the bitterness of loss that is an integral part of playing these songs. I have to really feel the connection with the feelings that overcame me when I wrote them. They still passed, and I really don’t want them to come back. My life has changed. Perhaps they just need to be put aside for a while, and it is possible that later I will present them from a more impartial position.

Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton

And now let’s watch the online music video for Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton.

Interesting Facts

Eric Clapton also dedicated The Circus Left Town and Lonely Stranger songs to his son.
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne organized the recording of Tears in Heaven, in which the song is performed by pop stars: Elton John, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Robbie Williams, Ozzy Osbourne and others. The proceeds from the sale were donated to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia.

Eric Clapton Tears in Heaven Lyrics

Would you know my name
If I saw you in Heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
‘Cause I know
I don’t belong
Here in Heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in Heaven?
I’ll find my way
Through night and day
‘Cause I know
I just can’t stay
Here in Heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

Beyond the Door
There’s peace I’m sure
And I know
There’ll be no more
Tears in Heaven

Tears in Heaven Lyrics Eric Clapton Alternative

Would you remember my name
If I met you in Heaven?
Everything would be the same
If I met you in Heaven?
I must be strong
And live on
Because I know,
That I feel out of my element
Here in Heaven

Would you take my hand
If I met you in Heaven?
Would you help me get up
If I met you in Heaven?
I will find my way
Night and day
Because I know,
I just can’t stay
Here in Heaven

Time can break you
Time can bring you to your knees
Time can break your heart
Make you beg
Beg

Behind the door –
Peace, I’m sure
And I know
What will be no more
Tears in Heaven