Sunday, December 8, 2024

Lockdown Blues: As Van Morrison Backs Lawsuit Against Irish Government, Eric Clapton Erases “Stand and Deliver” from Social Media

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It’s only seven weeks since Eric Clapton foolishly released his recording of a Van Morrison song called “Stand and Deliver.”

It was not an anthem for Uber Eats. The song decries the lockdown in the UK and Ireland, urging everyone to go back to clubs to hear live music.

Morrison, who has unwisely gotten involved in questioning the validity of COVID regulations, has heart in the right place but his head up his you know what. His song compares the lockdown to slavery. Really.

Morrison remains committed to the cause. He’s backed a lawsuit against the government of Northern Ireland over their “blanket ban” on live performances. On Twitter, Morrison says: “There were some very misleading stories in the press in recent days. For clarity, the legal action refers to allowing musicians to legally return to work once lockdowns are lifted and once it is safe to do so.”

But that makes no sense. When the lockdowns are over, everyone will return to work.

Interestingly, Clapton has remained mum about the legal action. He’s also cleaned his social media of all reference to it, also, after enduring proper criticism. His Instagram and Facebook pages are absent any sign of “Stand and Deliver,” and his website makes zero mention of it. It’s as if the whole thing never happened.

Of course, “Stand and Deliver” remains on YouTube and on streaming services. But no one really cares. The two YouTube videos have  a combined roughly 500,000 views, which ain’t much in terms of pop music. Actual sales are nil — less than 4,000 including streaming since December 4, 2020. There’s still time for Clapton to repurpose the song for Uber Eats!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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