Before You Accuse Me

Album: Journeyman (1989)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written and originally recorded by the rock pioneer Bo Diddley in 1957. The composer credits are listed as his real name: Ellas McDaniel. Clapton released the song as the B-side of "Bad Love," the first single from Journeyman.
  • Clapton used to perform this song in his early days with The Yardbirds. He never considered putting it on a record until guitarist Robert Cray and drummer Jim Keltner started jamming on the tune one day in the studio during the Journeyman sessions. The Cray/Clapton combo on this song make it a favorite of guitar aficionados.
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded this on their Cosmo's Factory album. The song was covered by The 13th Floor Elevators, a marginally successful 1960s psychedelic band from Austin. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mason - San Antonio, TX

Comments: 6

  • Mike from Syracuse, NyI am looking at the liner notes to the "Journeyman" CD by Eric Clapton, and the writing credit for this song is listed as, "Written by E. McDaniel c 1957, 1985..." That is Ellas McDaniel, aka Bo Diddley. In 1957, Bo Diddley released his self-titled first album and this song is on side one, track 4. Once and for all Gene McDaniels DID NOT WRITE this song, Bo Diddley wrote it.
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaWhen I get a cat Im gonna call it Bo Diddley:)
  • Brian from Detroit, MoThis song is CORRECTLY credited to Bo Diddley (Ellas McDaniel). A few website incorrectly credit Gene McDaniels.
  • K.p. from XEric did a video of this and several other songs in a romantic comedy where he played the leading man opposite his long time lover Debra Hunter. It was never released but present was Mary Hart of ET who ask Debra what the name of the movie will be and she said she didn't know yet. Debra also was in videos of Hounddog, Lead Me On, & Someone Like You in the movie, and Eric did Breaking Point and Cocaine, and they quoted songs all thru the movie. It was made in Arlington, Tarrant Co. Texas at Players singles bar in Jul 1984 as a birthday gift to Debra from Eric who was hanging out in Texas for a few years after she left some other state. Eric and Debra named thier first daughter Layla.
  • Mike from Hueytown , AlI love the CCR version ..Clapton does great with it too
  • Matt from Chicago, IlA great blues song. The crowd really gets into it on the Unplugged Album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.