It’s in the Way That You Use It

The Zoo Crew is spinning It’s in the Way That You Use It by Eric Clapton from his 1986 album August, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this classic track! This song, co-written with Robbie Robertson of The Band, has a cool backstory. Clapton described the writing process as intense, with him and Robertson hashing out rhymes over the phone, splitting hairs to get it just right. It was first featured on The Color of Money soundtrack, a Martin Scorsese film starring Tom Cruise and Paul Newman, before landing on August. The song’s vibe fit the movie perfectly, with lyrics about using talent strategically, like a pool shark hiding their skill to win big. Fans on Songfacts call it underrated, with one from Sydney saying it inspires them to focus on life’s unique contributions. The track hit number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, as noted in a 2024 post by Clapton’s official X account. Fun fact: while Phil Collins produced most of August, this song was helmed by Clapton and Tom Dowd, giving it a distinct edge.

Eric Clapton’s journey to rock legend status kicked off in Ripley, Surrey, where he was born on March 30, 1945. Raised by his grandparents, he picked up the guitar as a teen, diving deep into American blues. By 17, he was busking in Richmond and Kingston before joining his first band, The Roosters, in early 1963. That same year, he briefly played with Casey Jones and The Engineers, but his big break came in October 1963 when he joined The Yardbirds. His bluesy style earned him the nickname “Slowhand” and a cult following. Clapton’s time with The Yardbirds lasted until 1965, when he left for John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, cementing his rep as a top guitarist. In 1966, he formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, blending blues and psychedelic rock to become a global sensation. His innovative guitar work, mixing raw emotion with technical skill, set him apart and laid the foundation for his solo career, which began in 1970 with his self-titled debut.

Stay connected with Eric Clapton through his official website, where you can find tour dates, merch, and more. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwbacks like the August anniversary post. Fans can dive deeper at Where’s Eric!, a dedicated fan site with detailed discographies and news. Join fellow Zoo Freaks in fan communities like the Eric Clapton Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share stories, rare photos, and love for his music.