How Long Blues

Eric Clapton's rendition of 'How Long Blues' is a poignant exploration of heartache and longing. The song's repetitive questioning, 'How long, baby how long,' sets the tone for a narrative steeped in sorrow and regret. The imagery of the 'evening train' symbolizes missed opportunities and the passage of time, emphasizing the singer's sense of abandonment and loss. This train, which has long departed, represents the end of a relationship and the emotional void left in its wake.

The lyrics delve deeper into the singer's emotional state, revealing a profound sense of despair. Lines like 'Down in my heart, I have an aching pain' and 'I feel disgusted, I feel so bad' convey the depth of his suffering. The mention of 'thinking 'bout the good time that I once have had' highlights the contrast between past happiness and present misery, underscoring the theme of nostalgia and the pain of lost love.

Clapton's bluesy delivery adds an extra layer of authenticity to the song, making the listener feel the weight of his sorrow. The references to financial struggles, such as 'Don't have no money for to ride the train' and 'Must I keep my, my watch in pawn,' further illustrate the singer's desperation and the lengths he would go to reunite with his lost love. The song's closing lines, 'When you want me, baby, I declare I won't want you,' suggest a bittersweet resolution, where the singer acknowledges the inevitability of moving on, even if it means enduring more heartache.