"Malted Milk Blues" is a traditional blues song that was popularized by various musicians including Robert Johnson and Kokomo Arnold. Eric Clapton performed a live version of the song during his "Unplugged" album in 1992. The lyrics of the song depict a person who is using malted milk as a way to cope with their troubles and sadness. Malted milk is a drink made with evaporated milk, malted barley, and wheat flour, and in this context, it symbolizes a temporary escape or a way to numb oneself from the pains of life. The protagonist of the song finds solace in drinking malted milk in an attempt to drive away their blues. They express that anyone is welcome to their love, just like the flowers in May. This line implies that the person is open to sharing their affection and finding comfort in the arms of another. The lyrics also mention a "funny feeling" and talking out of their head, suggesting that the malted milk might be affecting their state of mind and making them feel intoxicated or delirious. The protagonist asks their loved one to fix them one more drink and hug them one more time, indicating a desire for comfort and reassurance. They want their loved one to keep stirring their malted milk until they change their mind, possibly implying that the drink serves as a distraction or a temporary solution to their problems. Towards the end of the song, the protagonist mentions a turning door knob and spooks around their bed, portraying a sense of unease and possibly suggesting supernatural or haunting experiences. The warm feeling and rising hair on their head further emphasize a chilling and unsettling atmosphere. Overall, "Malted Milk Blues" conveys the theme of using temporary escapes, in this case, malted milk, to cope with personal struggles. The song creates a bluesy and emotional atmosphere, portraying the protagonist's longing for comfort and their attempt to find temporary relief from their woes.
