Derek and the Dominos — Key To The Highway
Album: Layla and Other Assorted Love SongsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 420
Length: 9:37
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I got the key to the highway,
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running;
Walking is most too slow.
I'm going back to the border
Woman, where I'm better known.
You know you haven't done nothing,
Drove a good man away from home.
When the moon peeks over the mountains
I'll be on my way.
I'm gonna roam this old highway
Until the break of day.
Oh give me one, one more kiss mama
Just before I go,
'Cause when I leave this time you know I,
I won't be back no more.
I got the key to the highway,
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running;
Walking is most too slow.
I'm going back to the border
Woman, where I'm better known.
You know you haven't done nothing,
Drove a good man away from home.
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running;
Walking is most too slow.
I'm going back to the border
Woman, where I'm better known.
You know you haven't done nothing,
Drove a good man away from home.
When the moon peeks over the mountains
I'll be on my way.
I'm gonna roam this old highway
Until the break of day.
Oh give me one, one more kiss mama
Just before I go,
'Cause when I leave this time you know I,
I won't be back no more.
I got the key to the highway,
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running;
Walking is most too slow.
I'm going back to the border
Woman, where I'm better known.
You know you haven't done nothing,
Drove a good man away from home.
Comments (71)add comment
i wish it were 6 minutes shorter. whew, that was long.
I think all tracks on the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs I've got rated 8 or higher. The entire album is fantastic, though I think I like these songs better on their own, not played in the album mix, which is rare for me.
I'll go +1 to 9 on this tune, and the entire album stays as a 9 too (which makes it a top 100 album for me).
I'll go +1 to 9 on this tune, and the entire album stays as a 9 too (which makes it a top 100 album for me).
It's 4:25p on the 1st Monday of '22 in NYC. It's winter, it's cold, it grows dark and I'm going to pop a strong 9 abv stout and crank up these boys.
Happy New Year, RP!
It has always sounded like Clapton is singing, "I'm going back, back to the bottle..."
There was an awful lot of the bottle during the recording of this entire album, which may or perhaps may not explain its classic qualities.
It has always sounded like Clapton is singing, "I'm going back, back to the bottle..."
There was an awful lot of the bottle during the recording of this entire album, which may or perhaps may not explain its classic qualities.
BrightonGuy wrote:
Also, it has been said (or written) that when they recorded this album, there was an awful lot of smokable sniffable and pourable goodies on the table. Not the kind of stuff that turns journeymen crooners into a Sir Paul. So said, I don't agree that Mr C couldn't sing. His voice was pleasant, unaffected, and instantly recognizable. I can think of a few rockers who are allegedly singers — Jagger, Bono, Yorke, Bowie — whose voices, to my ears, have always left a lot to be desired, or worse.
Mr C surely is one of our greatest guitarists and a living legend, but he has never been a singer, which this track makes painfully clear.
Also, it has been said (or written) that when they recorded this album, there was an awful lot of smokable sniffable and pourable goodies on the table. Not the kind of stuff that turns journeymen crooners into a Sir Paul. So said, I don't agree that Mr C couldn't sing. His voice was pleasant, unaffected, and instantly recognizable. I can think of a few rockers who are allegedly singers — Jagger, Bono, Yorke, Bowie — whose voices, to my ears, have always left a lot to be desired, or worse.
BrightonGuy wrote:
No, he is not a singer by training, but he is more than adequate. His vocals have never detracted or distracted me from a Cream Blind Faith Derek & The Doms piece. In fact, they have elevated a few. Imagine Layla with another singer. The natural quality of EC's voice is pleasing enough. Many other super guitarists are mediocre or lousy vocalists and/or have never tried to sing: Alvin Lee, Santana, Jeff Beck, and others.
Mr C surely is one of our greatest guitarists and a living legend, but he has never been a singer, which this track makes painfully clear.
No, he is not a singer by training, but he is more than adequate. His vocals have never detracted or distracted me from a Cream Blind Faith Derek & The Doms piece. In fact, they have elevated a few. Imagine Layla with another singer. The natural quality of EC's voice is pleasing enough. Many other super guitarists are mediocre or lousy vocalists and/or have never tried to sing: Alvin Lee, Santana, Jeff Beck, and others.
8 > 9. Wizardly.
EC is terrific but it sounds un-funny zombie slow at times, lacks f u n k an' deep wah wah (I know squat about music)
Mr C surely is one of our greatest guitarists and a living legend, but he has never been a singer, which this track makes painfully clear.
RedGuitar wrote:
Sorry, but the blues scale IS a minor pentatonic scale with the added flat 5th. Often times Eric will use the major pentatonic scale or mix the two. Maybe you mean other scales like the melodic minor, harmonic minor, and such. Don't think many musicians need or use these scales. Some do and more power to them. I don't know why all the slagging of Clapton. He has delved into the blues like many have not. He's studied Robert Johnson extensively. OK, I'll shut up now.
Love these RP discussions, I learn alot. Thank you both. (I always think of D&TD as a garage band.Of course they were beyond that by the time this was recorded.)
Sorry, but the blues scale IS a minor pentatonic scale with the added flat 5th. Often times Eric will use the major pentatonic scale or mix the two. Maybe you mean other scales like the melodic minor, harmonic minor, and such. Don't think many musicians need or use these scales. Some do and more power to them. I don't know why all the slagging of Clapton. He has delved into the blues like many have not. He's studied Robert Johnson extensively. OK, I'll shut up now.
Love these RP discussions, I learn alot. Thank you both. (I always think of D&TD as a garage band.Of course they were beyond that by the time this was recorded.)
Nice! Please more of this album!
FogAudio wrote:
Sorry, but the blues scale IS a minor pentatonic scale with the added flat 5th. Often times Eric will use the major pentatonic scale or mix the two. Maybe you mean other scales like the melodic minor, harmonic minor, and such. Don't think many musicians need or use these scales. Some do and more power to them. I don't know why all the slagging of Clapton. He has delved into the blues like many have not. He's studied Robert Johnson extensively. OK, I'll shut up now.
After almost 40 years of listening to EC I am still waiting for a blues song where he plays something other than a pentatonic scale. Sorry but as a guitarist I can't say that Slowhand has ever "brought it". Clapton has a cool name and is a pretty good song smith, can write one helluva a guitar hook, but listening to him jam or noodle in the pentatonic makes me want to tear my ears off.
Sorry, but the blues scale IS a minor pentatonic scale with the added flat 5th. Often times Eric will use the major pentatonic scale or mix the two. Maybe you mean other scales like the melodic minor, harmonic minor, and such. Don't think many musicians need or use these scales. Some do and more power to them. I don't know why all the slagging of Clapton. He has delved into the blues like many have not. He's studied Robert Johnson extensively. OK, I'll shut up now.
ppopp wrote:
Indeed.
Not even the strength to get up and take another shot.
(And his best friend 'The Doctor" won't even tell him what it is that he's got.)
Generic blues riff + insipid vocal delivery + running out of ideas halfway through and just offering repetitive stress to the listener in the meantime = Eric Clapton. I am very fond of this particular album, but this song says B-side to flop single all over it.
Indeed.
Not even the strength to get up and take another shot.
(And his best friend 'The Doctor" won't even tell him what it is that he's got.)
Generic blues riff + insipid vocal delivery + running out of ideas halfway through and just offering repetitive stress to the listener in the meantime = Eric Clapton. I am very fond of this particular album, but this song says B-side to flop single all over it.
Poacher wrote:
I find it telling that they waited until the elections were over to get back to business.
Have you seen this, yet:
https://mondoweiss.net/2011/01/gaza-youth-breaks-out-with-a-manifesto-for-change.html
I just hope it's not fake or otherwise disengenious.
Its a rabbi fight! How timely when Israel are on the offensive again.
I find it telling that they waited until the elections were over to get back to business.
Have you seen this, yet:
https://mondoweiss.net/2011/01/gaza-youth-breaks-out-with-a-manifesto-for-change.html
I just hope it's not fake or otherwise disengenious.
cc_rider wrote:
Not sure if you have ever heard him live but the blues do come out then. And I don't mean a live album. Somethings you just can't pick up on a recording.
I like Derek and Co. just fine, don't get me wrong. But it just does not sound like 'the blues' to me. Not the real blues, I mean. Bill Broonzy, Little Walter, BB King, and others somehow give it something EC does not have. I have no idea what that 'something' is.
What's weird is, I hear that 'something' in SRV's work, but not EC's. I know SRV's style was to play just the tiniest bit behind the beat: it's not apparent unless you listen for it specifically. But I don't know if that's it. No matter. This version is still pretty dang good.
What's weird is, I hear that 'something' in SRV's work, but not EC's. I know SRV's style was to play just the tiniest bit behind the beat: it's not apparent unless you listen for it specifically. But I don't know if that's it. No matter. This version is still pretty dang good.
Not sure if you have ever heard him live but the blues do come out then. And I don't mean a live album. Somethings you just can't pick up on a recording.
Both of you need to take this outside
rabbi_phil wrote:
Dude!!!....you know absolutely nothing 'bout gii-ttar. who told you to think!! Here's what u should have done #1- rory gallagher #2-leslie west #3-eddie hazel #4-alvin lee #5-tie....otis rush- james mankey-albert collins THERE! try to learn something from this...before u go and shoot ur finger off again! u got it mister?!! oh yeah...ur sixth man b.s...should be freakin' southern hillbilly-boogie funkmaster elvin bishop!!
Please... whichever Rabbi Phil is in house, this is NOT a schizophrenia comment page. If you are having struggles within yourself-work it out, alone...
Dude!!!....you know absolutely nothing 'bout gii-ttar. who told you to think!! Here's what u should have done #1- rory gallagher #2-leslie west #3-eddie hazel #4-alvin lee #5-tie....otis rush- james mankey-albert collins THERE! try to learn something from this...before u go and shoot ur finger off again! u got it mister?!! oh yeah...ur sixth man b.s...should be freakin' southern hillbilly-boogie funkmaster elvin bishop!!
Please... whichever Rabbi Phil is in house, this is NOT a schizophrenia comment page. If you are having struggles within yourself-work it out, alone...
rabbi_phil wrote:
Dude!!!....you know absolutely nothing 'bout gii-ttar. who told you to think!! Here's what u should have done #1- rory gallagher #2-leslie west #3-eddie hazel #4-alvin lee #5-tie....otis rush- james mankey-albert collins THERE! try to learn something from this...before u go and shoot ur finger off again! u got it mister?!! oh yeah...ur sixth man b.s...should be freakin' southern hillbilly-boogie funkmaster elvin bishop!!
since we're all entitled to our own errant opinions...Clapton-the cream years...Joe Perry-get your wings...Slash-appetite..Jerry Cantrell-anything at all......Adam Jones-everything he does. since they don't seem to continue with the same level of guitar whupp-ass throughout their career,i kinda rate them according to when i thought they cranked best. this be me starting five
the second string goes like this... frank marino- steve stephens- todd mohr-dave mason(all along the watchtower)-robin trower(bridge of sighs)..................really wish i could fit nils lofgren in'ere somewhere best 6th man off the bench—gilmour
the second string goes like this... frank marino- steve stephens- todd mohr-dave mason(all along the watchtower)-robin trower(bridge of sighs)..................really wish i could fit nils lofgren in'ere somewhere best 6th man off the bench—gilmour
Dude!!!....you know absolutely nothing 'bout gii-ttar. who told you to think!! Here's what u should have done #1- rory gallagher #2-leslie west #3-eddie hazel #4-alvin lee #5-tie....otis rush- james mankey-albert collins THERE! try to learn something from this...before u go and shoot ur finger off again! u got it mister?!! oh yeah...ur sixth man b.s...should be freakin' southern hillbilly-boogie funkmaster elvin bishop!!
since we're all entitled to our own errant opinions...Clapton-the cream years...Joe Perry-get your wings...Slash-appetite..Jerry Cantrell-anything at all......Adam Jones-everything he does. since they don't seem to continue with the same level of guitar whupp-ass throughout their career,i kinda rate them according to when i thought they cranked best. this be me starting five
the second string goes like this.. frank marino- steve stephens- todd mohr-dave mason(all along the watchtower)-robin trower(bridge of sighs)..................really wish i could fit nils lofgren in'ere somewhere best 6th man off the bench—gilmour
the second string goes like this.. frank marino- steve stephens- todd mohr-dave mason(all along the watchtower)-robin trower(bridge of sighs)..................really wish i could fit nils lofgren in'ere somewhere best 6th man off the bench—gilmour
Hippostar wrote:
She would be, you know ... Karen was a natural percussionist the same as Meg White, Ted Harvey (with Hound Dog Taylor), and James Robinson (Luther Allison). These folks all simply picked up a set of sticks and did what comes naturally. God loved them!
Yeah baby! Listen to those nasty Concert Toms!
Karen Carpenter would be proud.
Karen Carpenter would be proud.
She would be, you know ... Karen was a natural percussionist the same as Meg White, Ted Harvey (with Hound Dog Taylor), and James Robinson (Luther Allison). These folks all simply picked up a set of sticks and did what comes naturally. God loved them!
Antigone wrote:
S, I still have my brother's copy of the album (did he go with you all to Geo'town?
). I think of R every time I hear any of these songs.
On tape, I have this on tape. Love it.
'Tho I always think of this as Clapton's garage band.
S, I still have my brother's copy of the album (did he go with you all to Geo'town?
). I think of R every time I hear any of these songs.On tape, I have this on tape. Love it.
'Tho I always think of this as Clapton's garage band.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Gotta agree with you on this. I've always found Clapton a bit bland.
He came in at #18 on my list . . .
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Duane Allman
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) David Gilmour
6) Carlos Santana
7) Pete Townshend
8) Eddie Van Halen
9) Mark Knopfler
10) Neil Young
But we do have Duane playing on this track so it ain't all bad.
I had the Layla Sessions Box Set at one time, an ex got it, but the full jam to this and any many others are on it. A good buy if you like this.
Gotta agree with you on this. I've always found Clapton a bit bland.
He came in at #18 on my list . . .
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Duane Allman
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) David Gilmour
6) Carlos Santana
7) Pete Townshend
8) Eddie Van Halen
9) Mark Knopfler
10) Neil Young
But we do have Duane playing on this track so it ain't all bad.
I had the Layla Sessions Box Set at one time, an ex got it, but the full jam to this and any many others are on it. A good buy if you like this.
FogAudio wrote:
Gotta agree with you on this. I've always found Clapton a bit bland.
He came in at #18 on my list . . .
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Duane Allman
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) David Gilmour
6) Carlos Santana
7) Pete Townshend
8) Eddie Van Halen
9) Mark Knopfler
10) Neil Young
After almost 40 years of listening to EC I am still waiting for a blues song where he plays something other than a pentatonic scale. Sorry but as a guitarist I can't say that Slowhand has ever "brought it". Clapton has a cool name and is a pretty good song smith, can write one helluva a guitar hook, but listening to him jam or noodle in the pentatonic makes me want to tear my ears off.
Gotta agree with you on this. I've always found Clapton a bit bland.
He came in at #18 on my list . . .
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Duane Allman
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) David Gilmour
6) Carlos Santana
7) Pete Townshend
8) Eddie Van Halen
9) Mark Knopfler
10) Neil Young
gatorade wrote:
Probably not old enough to know better.
What's not to love?
7.7 average....that's disturbing. What is wrong with you people?
Probably not old enough to know better.
What's not to love?
7.7 average....that's disturbing. What is wrong with you people?
After almost 40 years of listening to EC I am still waiting for a blues song where he plays something other than a pentatonic scale. Sorry but as a guitarist I can't say that Slowhand has ever "brought it". Clapton has a cool name and is a pretty good song smith, can write one helluva a guitar hook, but listening to him jam or noodle in the pentatonic makes me want to tear my ears off.
Never better. A smokin' cut from one of the undisputed classic albums in history. Duane and Eric set the joint on fire.
Thirteen people rated this somewhere between 1 and 3. Were the whole lot of you having a bad day? 10+
Never been a huge E.C. fan, but sometimes he does bring it! D &D is one of those times. Of course, having Duane Allman riding shotgun doesn't hurt the proceedings.
I like Derek and Co. just fine, don't get me wrong. But it just does not sound like 'the blues' to me. Not the real blues, I mean. Bill Broonzy, Little Walter, BB King, and others somehow give it something EC does not have. I have no idea what that 'something' is.
What's weird is, I hear that 'something' in SRV's work, but not EC's. I know SRV's style was to play just the tiniest bit behind the beat: it's not apparent unless you listen for it specifically. But I don't know if that's it. No matter. This version is still pretty dang good.
What's weird is, I hear that 'something' in SRV's work, but not EC's. I know SRV's style was to play just the tiniest bit behind the beat: it's not apparent unless you listen for it specifically. But I don't know if that's it. No matter. This version is still pretty dang good.
Good ol' shit-kickin' back-to-basics blues of the sort that will never age. It's nice to hear something else from Derek and the Dominoes other than feckin' Layla. 8 from the foot-stompin' Nottingham jury.
Hard to believe this was an impromptu jam between Eric and Duance, whose Layla producer yelled to the engineer to hit the tape machine (to capture this moment)
Its making me weep, missing my vinyl while I'm living down here in Mexico.
You might want to give a listen to the 1970 album by Delaney and Bonnie & Friends titled "On Tour With Eric Clapton"- electric blues playing that is kickin ass at this level. The list of "friends" will knock you out- its like all of Traffic, Leon Russel, Rita Coolidge, George Harrison....
You might want to give a listen to the 1970 album by Delaney and Bonnie & Friends titled "On Tour With Eric Clapton"- electric blues playing that is kickin ass at this level. The list of "friends" will knock you out- its like all of Traffic, Leon Russel, Rita Coolidge, George Harrison....
nice! thanks
I knew—as did millions of others, Sparky.
TimeWaster wrote:
TimeWaster wrote:
Hey! They do have other songs besides Layla! Who knew?!?! 
One of my favorite blues songs! Nice job, guys....
amoreena wrote:
Translation: How splendid, he can play the guitar rather well.
Wow-sah. That's playin' them blues.......
Translation: How splendid, he can play the guitar rather well.
yes
Great addition to the list...
Hey! They do have other songs besides Layla! Who knew?!?!
RT - We are dancing all day and night long. This is great!
Sweet.
One guitar banana for Eric, one for Duane Hell, it doesn't get any better.Wow-sah. That's playin' them blues.......
Hey Bill. Smokin' tune. 
How about following this with a little Michael Bloomfield. He seems to be missing from the play list.
How about following this with a little Michael Bloomfield. He seems to be missing from the play list.
When the 3 CD box came out years ago I fell in LOVE with this and the "Jams" disc.... really showed what a magicians Clapton and the Dominoes were....
Grown a bit tired of them now, don't choose to play it at home really..... but always nice to be reminded out of the blue.
Grown a bit tired of them now, don't choose to play it at home really..... but always nice to be reminded out of the blue.
Painted_Turtle wrote:
I can hear that.
Reminds me a bit of David Bromberg and his Chicago blues style.
I can hear that.
keep on rocking Bill!!!!! 
Reminds me a bit of David Bromberg and his Chicago blues style.
Dgradeworkunit wrote:
S, I still have my brother's copy of the album (did he go with you all to Geo'town?). I think of R every time I hear any of these songs.
Ghastly cover. Wonderful music. When I heard this album had come out & it wasn't available locally, I and a few buddies drove down to Georgetown from the Shenandoah Valley to record store - remember those? - and I bought my copy. Played the heck out of it too.
S, I still have my brother's copy of the album (did he go with you all to Geo'town?
). I think of R every time I hear any of these songs. jools wrote:
I agree - nothing like a bit of dirty blues to start the day off!
I'd heard that a large male chicken was the ideal wakeup call, but a bit of down and dirty blues is pretty good too ;)
I agree - nothing like a bit of dirty blues to start the day off!
I'd heard that a large male chicken was the ideal wakeup call, but a bit of down and dirty blues is pretty good too ;)
helgigermany wrote:
I agree - nothing like a bit of dirty blues to start the day off!
Very nice!
I agree - nothing like a bit of dirty blues to start the day off!
Very nice!
Yeah baby! Listen to those nasty Concert Toms!
Karen Carpenter would be proud.
Karen Carpenter would be proud.
Ghastly cover. Wonderful music. When I heard this album had come out & it wasn't available locally, I and a few buddies drove down to Georgetown from the Shenandoah Valley to record store - remember those? - and I bought my copy. Played the heck out of it too.
FFFFFFFFFF.....
firetruck!
firetruck!
randomprime wrote:
EC can do no wrong in my opinion!
Outstanding White Boy Blues from EC!
EC can do no wrong in my opinion!
El_Penguino wrote:
I want your job.
I wish I could rate this a 10 again!
Friday afternoon, good tunes, front door locked and we are all drinking at work....
Thanks Bill!
Thanks Bill!
I want your job.
I wish I could rate this a 10 again!
Friday afternoon, good tunes, front door locked and we are all drinking at work....
Thanks Bill!
Thanks Bill!
AdyMiles wrote:
clueless
boring
clueless
Outstanding White Boy Blues from EC!
Two guys who can play the heck out of guitar having fun showing each other how they can do it and egging each other one. That's music.
Yes ! -71 such a good year almost as good as -69 !Not my kind of music, either. Boring
milchschnitte wrote:
...and that guy gave "Cream - White Room" a ten...
this is definitely not my kind of music.
...and that guy gave "Cream - White Room" a ten...
this is definitely not my kind of music.
This is what i needed this morning. thanks
boring