Tulsa Time
Eric Clapton · Backless [1978]
Well, I left Oklahoma
Driving in a Pontiac,
Just about to lose my mind.
I was going to Arizona,
Maybe on to California
Where people all live so fine.
My mother says I'm crazy,
My baby calls me lazy,
But I'm gonna show them all this time
'Cause you know I ain't no fool and
I don't need no more damn schoolin'.
I was born to just walk the line.
[Chorus:]
Living on Tulsa Time.
Living on Tulsa Time.
Gonna set my watch back to it
'Cause you know that I've been through it.
Living on Tulsa Time.
So there I was in Hollywood,
Thinking I was doing good,
Talking on the telephone line.
They don't want me in the movies
And nobody sings my songs;
My mama says my baby's doing fine.
So then I started winking,
Then I started thinking
That I really had a flash this time.
That I had no bussiness leaving,
And nobody would be grieving;
You see I'm on Tulsa time.
[Chorus 2x]
Driving in a Pontiac,
Just about to lose my mind.
I was going to Arizona,
Maybe on to California
Where people all live so fine.
My mother says I'm crazy,
My baby calls me lazy,
But I'm gonna show them all this time
'Cause you know I ain't no fool and
I don't need no more damn schoolin'.
I was born to just walk the line.
[Chorus:]
Living on Tulsa Time.
Living on Tulsa Time.
Gonna set my watch back to it
'Cause you know that I've been through it.
Living on Tulsa Time.
So there I was in Hollywood,
Thinking I was doing good,
Talking on the telephone line.
They don't want me in the movies
And nobody sings my songs;
My mama says my baby's doing fine.
So then I started winking,
Then I started thinking
That I really had a flash this time.
That I had no bussiness leaving,
And nobody would be grieving;
You see I'm on Tulsa time.
[Chorus 2x]
Tulsa Time
Recorded in 1978, "Tulsa Time" stands as a pivotal track on Eric Clapton's "Backless," showcasing his mastery of blues-rock during the late 1970s. The song features Clapton's signature slide guitar work and a driving, rhythmic structure that defines the era's hard rock sound. Released alongside other iconic recordings from the period, it highlights Clapton's ability to blend traditional blues influences with the energy of contemporary rock. The track remains a staple of his discography, reflecting his deep connection to the roots of the genre while pushing the boundaries of studio production. It serves as a testament to his status as a leading figure in rock music during the late 70s.