Grief truly ravages our lives everyday. It's vital for us to find healthy ways to grapple with that crushing feeling so we don't drive ourselves mad. For lots of artists and creative people, they find art to be the greatest way to digest the loss in their lives. This is especially true for Eric Clapton, who was especially candid about how creating allowed him to properly digest his grief.
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Recently, PEOPLE Magazine captured a newly resurfaced interview ahead of Eric Clapton's new Paramount Plus documentary. There, they dig deep into his Unplugged MTV special thirty years later and his acoustic takes on his hits. Most notably, they go over "Tears of Heaven," a song written about Clapton's late four year old son Conor. He tragically passed away from falling out of the window of a New York apartment. The interview illustrates what Eric was thinking and how the song helps him grapple with the grief.
Eric Clapton Battles With Grief Through His Song "Tears of Heaven"
When it comes to digesting such a devastating loss, Clapton desperately needed somewhere to exercise his feelings. Songwriting, and "Tears of Heaven in particular" allows that for him.
"It was really needed to illustrate loss because of what happens in the movie, and it was a good opportunity for me to write about my son, about the loss of my son, and also have somewhere to put it, to channel it," Eric says. "And I really wanted to say something about what had happened to me and the opportunity the movie gave me was excellent, because it meant I could write this song for the film and express my own feelings."
At the time of the interview, the grief was still incredibly raw for Clapton. It would've been completely understandable if he kept his pain to himself. However, Eric finds it particularly important to be honest and transparent with his audience. Moreover, it only aids him in grappling with the pain. "I do intend to make these things known and I will play them in concert and put them on record," he says. "And it is, for me, a healing process and I think it's important that you share that with people that love your music."
