The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
I know that I don't have much to give,
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
Everybody knows the score, yeah yeah yeah
I have finally found a way to live
In the color of the Lord
I have finally found a place to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give,
But soon I'll open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
Everybody knows the score
I have finally found a place to live, oh
In the presence of the Lord
In the presence of the Lord
I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give,
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
I said everybody knows the score
I have finally found a way to live, oh
In the color of the Lord
In the color of the Lord
Just like I never could before
I know that I don't have much to give,
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
Everybody knows the score, yeah yeah yeah
I have finally found a way to live
In the color of the Lord
I have finally found a place to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give,
But soon I'll open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
Everybody knows the score
I have finally found a place to live, oh
In the presence of the Lord
In the presence of the Lord
I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give,
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret,
I said everybody knows the score
I have finally found a way to live, oh
In the color of the Lord
In the color of the Lord
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This goes way deeper that simply finding religion. This song is about finding a reason to live through God.
Eric Clapton was rediscovering his Christian roots at this time in his life. This song is about Jesus Christ. "Everybody knows the secret, everybody knows the score"... because sooner or later you must accept the FACT that NOBODY is perfect in this world and we ALL need the Lord. It's a great track, not only because of the beautiful lyrics, but also because Clapton really belts out a screamin' powerful guitar solo as well.
really? too bad EC didn't write this song. As an atheist I find it pathetic really. . all the idiots trying to push the religion, when that's not what it was about. In fact I think if anything he ways talking about clarity.. I mean Steve Winwood. not EC.
Dude. As a Christian who believes in a "hell", not fire exactly but separation from the goodness of God, I consider that pathetic pushing as an attempt at rescue. It would be pretty terrible of me and other Christians not to do that, right?
Oh yes... More to add. <br /> <br /> You are incorrect about the song's author. Clapton IS credited as the writer. I suspect you know that, but you want to make your point seem more solid. <br /> <br /> Clapton grew up in a Christian household. As he went through troubled times, he came back to that foundation. In this song, he is finding comfort in having been blessed with the basics - a home and the presence of God even though he was not devout and still struggling with the world of celebrity excesses. <br /> <br /> We should a be comforted by the basics and rest in the contentment of the here and now.
Actually Eric Clapton wrote this song when he moved into Hurtwood Edge and "found a place to live". This relates to the way people feel about religion. It's not exactly meaning he found religion although you could take it that way if you want to.
@iris_and_a_zephyr This is correct.
This song needs no explanation. Simply beautiful.
It's about finding religion.
This song is how eric becomes more religous.
lol it was written by Steve Winwood, and I feel like they were mocking people that are religious in a way.
Or about why to find religion.
Despite its religious introspection, truly a Clapton classic. It could be said he never wrote a better song.
he didn't write the lyrics, Steve Winwood did.
Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton are complicated people with complex thoughts and feelings on the ultimate questions of life. The dissonant and ironic chord at the end of "In the Presence of the Lord" demonstrates a reluctance to say "I've found the answer - everybody listen up! - the search is over!" and maybe a bit of frustration that it always has to be that way - an open question. The songs here embrace faith in some sort of ultimate peace while acknowledging that the writers want nothing in the way of dogma. And the final cut "Do What You Like" puts to rest any notion that these guys are getting religion in any conventional sense.
Someone above said this song was sung by Clapton - Well, it sure sounds like Winwood to me - struggling (beautifully) for those ultra-high notes. If it's Clapton, he's doing his best Winwood impression (actually, no way - I've never heard Eric sing that high.). I'm a fan of both, but Steve wrote three songs for the album, Eric wrote one, and as far as I can tell Winwood sings all the leads. So, despite Clapton's top billing, it's far more a Winwood album. And after this album, Clapton began to use some of the unusual chord changes typical of Winwood's work, such as sliding from the key of D minor down to E-flat minor for the verse in Layla (The song starts with the familiar energetic chorus sequence in D minor.). My favorite example of really unusual changes that work out beautifully is Winwood's "Empty Chair" on one of his solo albums.
Either way, it's a fantastic collaboration of two giants (and Ginger Baker and Ric Grech were certainly no slouches).
Oops, I meant to write:<br /> ...sliding from the key of D minor down to D-flat minor for the verse in Layla
on Blind Faith album it was sung by Winwood, but later on Clapton sang it. At least hat is what I though. I might have to find the BF version of it, because I looked this up since the EC version from his live CD came up on Itunes.
Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton are complicated people with complex thoughts and feelings on the ultimate questions of life. The dissonant and ironic chord at the end of "In the Presence of the Lord" demonstrates a reluctance to say "I've found the answer - everybody listen up! - the search is over!" and maybe a bit of frustration that it always has to be that way - an open question. The songs here embrace faith in some sort of ultimate peace while acknowledging that the writers want nothing in the way of dogma. And the final cut "Do What You Like" puts to rest any notion that these guys are getting religion in any conventional sense.
Someone above said this song was sung by Clapton - Well, it sure sounds like Winwood to me - struggling (beautifully) for those ultra-high notes. If it's Clapton, he's doing his best Winwood impression (actually, no way - I've never heard Eric sing that high.). I'm a fan of both, but Steve wrote three songs for the album, Eric wrote one, and as far as I can tell Winwood sings all the leads. So, despite Clapton's top billing, it's far more a Winwood album. And after this album, Clapton began to use some of the unusual chord changes typical of Winwood's work, such as sliding from the key of D minor down to E-flat minor for the verse in Layla (The song starts with the familiar energetic chorus sequence in D minor.). My favorite example of really unusual changes that work out beautifully is Winwood's "Empty Chair" on one of his solo albums.
Either way, it's a fantastic collaboration of two giants (and Ginger Baker and Ric Grech were certainly no slouches).