Eric Clapton has released a new track, “This Has Gotta Stop,” with an accompanying animated video that also concerns climate change disaster, in what looks to be his latest broadside against Covid-19 vaccinations and the lockdown.
“This Has Gotta Stop,” a bluesy shuffle, appears to allude to some of the medical concerns Clapton claimed he had after receiving an AstraZeneca vaccination earlier this year, which he claimed had “disastrous” consequences.
The song was written by Clapton and features backup singer Sharon White, as well as drummer Sonny Emery and longtime Clapton bassist Nathan East. It was produced by Simon Climie, another member of Clapton’s team. Clapton’s representative stated that there are no plans for a full album at this time.
Images of people transformed into marionettes or staring zombie-style at their phones appear in the video, as do politicians or government figures addressing crowds and others holding posters like “Liberty” and “Enough Is Enough.” It also features an illustration of Clapton’s support for Jam for Freedom, a UK anti-lockdown street performer group, as well as visuals of a world on fire due to environmental calamity.
Starting with his recent collaboration with Van Morrison, “Stand and Deliver,” “This Has Gotta Stop” ties in with Clapton’s recent and contentious comments on the pandemic lockdown. Clapton declared in July that he would “not perform on any stage where there discriminated audience is present.” Clapton’s U.S. tour, which will be limited to largely indoor arenas in the South, will kick off on September 13 in Fort Worth, Texas, and end on September 26 in Florida.
