In the accompanying animated music video, faceless figures gather in protest holding signs emblazoned with such messages as “Liberty,” “Enough is Enough” and “Stop.” Elsewhere, the clip features socially charged references to the over consumption of media and concerns about climate change.
In July, Clapton stated that he won’t grace “any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.” The iconic guitarist also feared he would “never play again” following health issues after both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Clapton seems to reference his past issues with the COVID-19 vaccine in other lyrics from “This Has Gotta Stop,” which was produced by his his longtime producing partner Simon Climie.
“I knew that something was going on wrong/ When you started laying down the law/ I can’t move my hands, I break out in sweat/ I wanna cry, I can’t take it anymore,” the musician sings.
Last year, Clapton also made his thoughts about COVID-19 loud and clear with his anti-lockdown track “Stand and Deliver” with Van Morrison.
“Do you wanna be a free man/ Or do you wanna be a slave?/ Do you wanna wear these chains/ Until you’re lying in the grave?” the duo sing on the track. “Stand and deliver/ You let them put the fear on you.”
Watch the video for Clapton’s “This Has Gotta Stop” below.
