I Can’t Stand It

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin I Can’t Stand It by Eric Clapton from his 1981 album Another Ticket here at THE ZOO! This track, a dark and driving blues-rock gem, was the first single from the album and hit big, climbing to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and snagging the #1 spot on the newly launched Top Tracks chart for rock songs in March 1981, holding it for two weeks. Fun fact: the song’s vinyl 45 credits Eric Clapton and His Band, giving props to the tight crew backing him. Critics loved its edge—Record World called it a “dark, driving rocker” with Clapton’s vocals “lurking ominously” around punchy drums and keyboard textures. AllMusic’s Matthew Greenwald praised its “venomous jealousy” lyrics as some of Clapton’s most literate, with chord changes echoing the soulful Booker T. & the M.G.’s. By 1981, the song had racked up over a million broadcasts, earning Clapton a special certificate from Broadcast Music, Inc.

Here’s a wild story from the song’s era: Clapton kicked off his Another Ticket tour in February 1981, but it hit a rough patch fast. Just a month in, while heading to a show in Duluth, Minnesota, he was rushed to the hospital with debilitating ulcers, nearly fatal due to a mix of heavy drinking and painkillers. The tour got canned, and Clapton spent six weeks recovering, marking a turning point in his battle with alcoholism. Oh, and here’s a quirky tidbit: the song was used as an interlude on Bill O’Reilly’s radio show, The Radio Factor. Talk about crossing genres! The track’s repetitive lyrical hook—repeating “I can’t stand it” 28 times—gives it that raw, bluesy punch, rooted in Clapton’s frustration over a cheating lover, a theme that resonates with his blues heritage.

Now, let’s rewind to how Eric Clapton became the legend we’re grooving to. Born March 30, 1945, in Ripley, England, Clapton picked up the guitar as a teen, drawn to the raw emotion of blues. He started gigging in local bands before joining The Yardbirds in 1963, where his fiery guitar work laid the groundwork for British rock. By 1965, he jumped to John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, earning a rep as the best blues guitarist on London’s club scene. His playing on their 1966 album, nicknamed “The Beano Album” (’cause he’s reading a comic on the cover), sparked the iconic “Clapton is God” graffiti in London. In ’66, he formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, blending blues, rock, and psychedelic vibes into hits like Sunshine of Your Love. After Cream split in 1968, Clapton rolled through Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos, dropping the masterpiece Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs in 1970. His solo career took off with 1974’s 461 Ocean Boulevard, cementing him as a singer-songwriter and guitar hero.

Want to keep up with Eric Clapton? Check out his official site at ericclapton.com for tour dates and merch. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates. Zoo Freaks looking to connect with fellow fans can dive into Where’s Eric!, a fan-run site packed with news, setlists, and history. You can also join the Eric Clapton Fans group on Facebook to swap stories and celebrate the man’s epic legacy. Keep those dials locked to THE ZOO, and let’s keep the Clapton vibes flowing!