Where Were You
Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We made the distance
Yeah we made the day.

You made all the difference
'Cause you found the way.

Without your wisdom
Lord where would we be
Lost in the wilderness
Somewhere out at sea.

But you were there
Through the days of wine and madness
When I'd always put you down.

You were there
Through my joys and my sadness
And you never let me down.

You found the meaning
And helped me to see
Where I was going to
All that I could be.

Without permission
You turned the key.
You climbed the prison wall
Deep inside of me.

You were there
Through the days of wine and madness
When I'd turn and put, put you down.

You were there
Through my joys and my sadness
And you never let me down.

You were there
Through the days of wine and madness
When I'd turn and put, put you down.

You were there
Through my joys and my sadness
And you never let me down.

Let me down.
You were there.




You were there.
You were there

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are an expression of gratitude towards a person who has been instrumental in the singer's journey of self-discovery, growth and healing. The lyrics suggest that the singer and the person being addressed have collectively achieved something significant, overcome obstacles together and made it through the storms of life. The reference to "distance" and "making the day" could allude to the difficulties or challenges that they surpassed, while the line "you made all the difference" highlights the crucial role that the person being addressed played in the journey.


The verses of the song seem to meditate on the idea that without this person's presence in their life, the singer would have been lost, possibly stranded in emotional turmoil or confusion. The singer acknowledges that they might have been "lost in the wilderness" and "somewhere out at sea," but the person being addressed provided the guidance or direction that they needed. The lyrics also suggest that the person's wisdom was a pivotal factor in the journey, and they helped the singer find their way, see the beauty and potential within themselves and overcome the walls they had built around them.


The chorus of the song reinforces the importance of this person's presence in the singer's life. The repetition of the phrase "you were there" emphasizes the idea that the person being addressed was a constant and unwavering support, through both the good and bad times. Despite the singer's past behavior of "putting them down," the person never wavered in their support and encouragement. The lyrics signify the transformation that has taken place within the singer with the help of the person being addressed.


Line by Line Meaning

We made the distance
Despite the distance between us, we managed to find a way to make it work.


Yeah we made the day.
Together, we made it through each day and overcame any challenges we faced.


You made all the difference
Your influence and support had a significant impact on me and my life.


'Cause you found the way.
You showed me the way and helped me find my own path.


Without your wisdom
Without your guidance and knowledge, I would not have been able to make it this far.


Lord where would we be
I don't even want to imagine where we would be if you weren't in my life.


Lost in the wilderness
We would have been lost and without direction, wandering aimlessly.


Somewhere out at sea.
We would have been lost at sea, adrift and unsure of which way to go.


But you were there
Thankfully, you were there for me through it all.


Through the days of wine and madness
You were there for me during the good times and the bad.


When I'd always put you down.
Even when I didn't appreciate you, you were still there for me.


Through my joys and my sadness
You were there to share in my happiness and to comfort me during my sad days.


And you never let me down.
You were always there for me and I could always count on your support.


You found the meaning
You helped me find meaning and purpose in my life.


And helped me to see
You showed me a new perspective and helped me see things in a different light.


Where I was going to
You helped me find direction and set goals for my future.


All that I could be.
You believed in me and encouraged me to reach for my full potential.


Without permission
You didn't wait for me to ask for your help, you simply gave it freely.


You turned the key.
You unlocked a part of me that I didn't realize was there.


You climbed the prison wall
You helped me break free from the limiting beliefs and negative thoughts that were holding me back.


Deep inside of me.
You helped me find the strength and courage to face my inner demons and overcome them.


Let me down.
You never disappointed me or let me down.


You were there.
Through it all, you were there.


You were there.
And for that, I am forever grateful.


You were there.
Thank you for being a constant presence in my life.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Da_Xman

Bawling my eyes out. The song, Jeff's soulful playing and Eric's singing...

Jeff takes a gracious and gracefully slow and appropriate last bow, looks up, smiles then turns...and walks, almost floating, into the truly wonder-full sunset...

My God, how aching and touchingly beautiful.

And, possibly the best and most expressive video I've ever seen.

God Bless You and Rest In The Most Peaceful Peace, Jeff..."We're after the same rainbow's end..."

Such a fitting epitaph.

JEFF BECK, GUITAR ICONOCLAST.

And, thanks so very much for posting, Eric...
✨🥴✨



All comments from YouTube:

@CountryLibraryMix

Everyone who reads this, we don't know each other and probably never will but I wish you all the best in life and all the luck in the world 💕🥰 It's amazing how music can transport you back to certain moments in your life

@svitlanafedorenko5603

Благодарю❤Счастья и мира❤

@user-zz1tc6rd4u

О, да!!! Благодарю

@apostolia2124

wisely said sir, love from Greece✨❤

@comprasgmadi886

Amigo, obrigado, tudo de bom prá você!!

@indomotor

Rest in Love Jeff 🙏🏼❤️💫. Thank you 🙏🏼✨🙏🏼

@7alafawzy

This was played last night at the very end of the tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Eric Clapton & Jeff’s band mates stood with their backs to the audience & watched this on the screen…it brought tears to my eyes as I sang along with them…very very moving.
The whole concert was a beautiful tribute to the great Jeff Beck 💫

@rickjason215

Clapton said before this was released, that it was great. He was right.

@susankirkland3852

Yes, I found that very moving and overwhelming at the end. I couldn’t sing with it but stood and watched with the greatest respect and highest regard for Jeff and all the musicians and for Eric commissioning this animation and music 🎶 ❤

@jeancome8848

😢❤ J'ai vu ça aussi, cela était très très émouvant 😢❤

More Comments

More Versions