BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) WONDERFUL TONIGHT
(“Slowhand” – 1977)What you’re about to read is me gushing over some of the best rock songs of all time. Narrowing Clapton’s hits down to a top four is almost too ridiculous to attempt, but why not? The man is one of the best musicians of all time. In the old days it was the painters and sculptures that were held in praise of the highest art, but icons like Clapton made the 1900’s about the musician, the rock and roll kings. The first on this list is from 1977. Clapton wrote a song about George Harrison’s old flame and muse Pattie Boyd. Apparently it’s all inspired from her looking beautiful at one of Paul and Linda McCartney’s parties in 1976. The guitar work in this one is beautiful and possibly the best guitar work in any ballad ever.
(THREE) TEARS IN HEAVEN
(“Unplugged” – 2003)This is also from the Rush soundtrack, but it’s the Unplugged version that wins. The song is about the death of his four year old son, who fell from a window in New York. Clapton has such a beautiful and masterful way of using the guitar and music to express himself, but on the night MTV shot Unplugged a moment was captured in time. Eric Clapton owns this song and gives you a peek into his soul. If the first two on this list weren’t so iconic and crucial to the history of rock and roll this would be my pick for the best. This is one of those songs that you wish never had to be written, but even on the smallest tiniest levels something beautiful could come from it.
(TWO) COCAINE
(“Slowhand” – 1977)Not many people know this, but Clapton didn’t write this song. It was originally by a man named JJ Cale just one year earlier. Clapton covered a lot of this guys work and was obviously a huge fan. Even knowing this fact, this song is still an Eric Clapton song. You just can’t deny it. It would be like saying “All Along the Watchtower” isn’t a Hendrix song. Ownership is 9/10ths of the law and I’d bet more than 9/10ths of the people who know these songs would credit them to Clapton and Hendrix. I also never knew this song was such an “anti-drug song”. I know it tells the horrors of using it, but to me the song still glorifies the booger sugar. Whatever your perspective, no one can deny that this song rocks.
(ONE) LAYLA
(with “Derek and the Dominos” – 1971)This is one of the best rock and roll songs of all time. Critics, long time fans, and anyone with ears and a clear mind can tell you that “Layla” is powerful. Again, the inspiration is the love for Pattie Boyd, George Harrison’s wife. The guitar, the passion in the words, and the experience of hearing this song at the right place at the right time is unmatchable. This is truly one of rock’s most definitive ballads of all time. Eric Clapton sure has done a lot on the “of all time” level of awesomeness. A few notes of his work and you’ll understand why.
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