Cocaine by Eric Clapton

"Cocaine" is one of Eric Clapton’s most recognizable and controversial songs, known for its infectious riff and ambiguous stance on drug use. Here's a full breakdown:

Title: Cocaine

Performer: Eric Clapton
Writer: J.J. Cale
Album: Slowhand (1977)
Length: 3:41 (album version)

🎶 Background & Origins

The song was originally written and recorded by J.J. Cale in 1976.
Eric Clapton covered it a year later for his Slowhand album, which also featured hits like Wonderful Tonight and Lay Down Sally.
Clapton’s version became much more popular and helped bring wider attention to Cale’s work.

🎸 Musical Style

Features a tight, bluesy groove and a gritty, hypnotic riff that repeats throughout the song.
Clapton uses a muted, funky guitar tone and layers it with subtle solo work.
It's rhythmically straightforward but powerful—a classic example of how less can be more in blues-rock.

📝 Lyrical Meaning & Controversy

At face value, the lyrics seem to promote drug use:

“If you wanna get down, down on the ground / Cocaine.”

However, Clapton has repeatedly stated that the song is anti-drug, and that it's meant to be sarcastic or ironic. He even referred to it as “quite cleverly anti-cocaine,” with the chorus line "She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie" meant to reveal the deceptive nature of the drug.

Because of the ambiguity, Clapton stopped playing the song live for a while, concerned that audiences were misinterpreting its meaning. When he brought it back, he sometimes prefaced it with a statement or added the line “that dirty cocaine” in performances to clarify the message.

📈 Reception & Legacy

Cocaine was never released as a single in the U.S., but it became a radio staple and one of Clapton’s most popular live tracks.
The song has remained a concert favorite and appears on many of his greatest hits compilations.
It’s also been widely covered and referenced across genres.

🎸 Guitar Work

The main riff is a great one for beginner-to-intermediate players—simple, blues-based, and instantly recognizable.
In live versions, Clapton often expands it into longer blues solos, showcasing his improvisational style.