The Top 100 Eric Clapton Songs/Studio Albums Ranked

Eric Clapton Top 100 Songs/ Studio Albums Ranked

He was born Eric Patrick Clapton on March 30, 1945 in Ripley, England. His father was a Canadian airman named Edward Fryer who met Pat Clapton at one of his dance-band gigs. The married Fryer had an affair with her and she got pregnant. When the war was over, Fryer went back home to Canada and his wife. She was 16 when Eric was born. JR-1 When he was only 2, his mom left him with her mother and stepfather and met another Canadian serviceman, married him, and moved to Canada. JR-2 In his youth, Clapton was swept up by American rock-and-roll, especially a Jerry Lee Lewis performance of “Great Balls of Fire” in 1958, via television. Clapton’s grandparents bought him a guitar for his 13th birthday. JR-3 He became more enamored with the blues artists who inspired rock and roll, namely Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red Whittaker, and Robert Johnson. JR-5-6 He would go on to work with the Roosters, the Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos. He launched a solo career in 1970. Over the next eighteen years, Clapton released ten studio albums as a solo artist, including the celebrated 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) and Slowhand (1977) albums. He delivered memorable covers of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and a pair of J.J. Cale songs with “After Midnight” and “Cocaine.” He also penned album rock staples like “Lay Down Sally,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Promises,” and “I Can’t Stand It.” Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Layla (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 2. Tears in Heaven (1992) 3. Wonderful Tonight (1977) 4. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream, 1967) DMDB Top 2%: 5. Change the World (1996) 6. White Room (Cream, 1968) 7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles, 1968) 8. I Shot the Sheriff (1974) 9. For Your Love (Yardbirds, 1965) DMDB Top 5%: 10. Badge (Cream, 1969) 11. Cocaine (1977) 12. Layla (Unplugged, 1992) 13. Lay Down Sally (1977) 14. After Midnight (1970) 15. Crossroads (Cream, live, 1968) 16. I Feel Free (Cream, 1966) 17. My Father’s Eyes (1998) 18. Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith, 1969) DMDB Top 10%: 19. Strange Brew (Cream, 1967) 20. Promises (1978) 21. Bell Bottom Blues (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 22. Forever Man (1986) 23. I”ve Got a Rock and Roll Heart (1983) 24. Let It Rain (1970) 25. Anyone for Tennis? (Cream, 1968) DMDB Top 20%: 26. I Can’t Stand It (1981) 27. Pretending (1989) 28. Spoonful (Cream, 1966) 29. Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith, 1969) 30. I’ts Probably Me (with Sting, 1992) 31. Tales of Brave Ulysses (Cream, 1967) 32. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1975) 33. Willie and the Hand Jive (1974) 34. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1975) 35. Hello Old Friend (1976) 36. Bad Love (1989) 37. Tulsa Time (1978) 38. Coming Home (Delaney & Bonnie, 1969) 39. Blues Power (1970) 40. It’s in the Way That You Use It (1986) 41. Circus Left Town (1992) 42. Motherless Child (1994) 43. Riding with the King (with B.B. King, 2000) 44. Watch Out for Lucy (1978) 45. Running on Faith (1989) 46. Blue Moon (with Rod Stewart, 2004) 47. Tearing Us Apart (with Tina Turner, 1986) 48. SWLABR (Cream, 1967) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 49. All of Me (with Paul McCartney, 2013) 50. Good Morning Little School Girl (Yardbirds, 1964) 51. Crossroads (Derek & the Dominos, live, 1970) 52. Wrapping Paper (Cream, 1966) 53. Before You Accuse Me (1989) 54. Only You Know and I Know (Delaney & Bonnie, 1970) 55. Little Wing (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 56. She’s Waiting (1985) 57. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, 1966) 58. I’m Tore Down (1994) 59. My Back Pages (live with Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, & George Harrison, 1992) 60. Let It Grow (1974) 61. After Midnight (1988) 62. Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 63. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (with Randy Crawford & David Sanborn, 1989) 64. Miss You (1986) 65. Ramblin’ on My Mind (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, 1966) 66. See What Love Can Do (1985) 67. No Alibis (1989) 68. N.S.U. (Cream, 1966) 69. Key to the Highway (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 70. Blue Eyes Blue (1999) 71. Runaway Train (with Elton John, 1992) 72. The Usual (with Bob Dylan, 1987) 73. Superman Inside (2001) 74. Goodnight Irene (2013) 75. Another Ticket (1981) 76. Further on Up the Road (live, 1975) 77. She’s Gone (1998) 78. I’m So Glad (Cream, 1966) 79. The Core (1977) 80. Stone Free (1993) 81. Motherless Children (1974) 82. Come Rain or Come Shine (with B.B. King, 2000) 83. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 84. Born Under a Bad Sign (Cream, (1968) 85. Lawdy Mama (Cream, 1966) 86. Fight (No Matter How Long) (The Bunburys, 1988) 87. I’ll Be Seeing You (2016) 88. The Sky Is Crying (1975) 89. Run (1986) 90. Politician (Cream, 1968) 91. Sea of Joy (Blind Faith, 1969) 92. Help Me Up (1992) 93. Revolution (2005) 94. Keep on Growing (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 95. Tell the Truth (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 96. Travelin’ Light (2001) 97. Boom Boom (Yardbirds, 1963) 98. Don’t’ Think Twice, It’s Alright (live, 1992) 99. Rita Mae (1981) 100. Ride the River (with J.J. Cale, 2006) Eric Clapton: Studio Albums Ranked Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. Also factored in are the status of each album’s songs in Dave’s Music Database for songs. Note: In addition to Eric Clapton’s studio albums, this includes works with the Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie, and Derek & the Dominos. Also, although they are live albums, Delaney & Bonnie’s On Tour with Eric Clapton and Eric Clapton’s Grammy-winning Unplugged have been included on this list because they consisted largely of material not previously on Eric Clapton studio releases. 1. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (Derek and the Dominos, 1970) 2. Disraeli Gears (Cream, 1967) 3. Unplugged (1992) 4. Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, 1966) 5. Blind Faith (Blind Faith, 1969) 6. 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) 7. Wheels of Fire (Cream, studio/live, 1968) 8. Slowhand (1977) 9. From the Cradle (blues covers, 1994) 10. Riding with the King (with B.B. King, 2000) 11. Me and Mr. Johnson (Robert Johnson covers, 2004) 12. Journeyman (1989) 13. Fresh Cream (Cream, 1966) 14. Eric Clapton (1970) 15. Reptile (2001) 16. Pilgrim (1998) 17. Backless (1978) 18. Another Ticket (1981) 19. On Tour with Eric Clapton (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, 1970) 20. Back Home (2005) 21. The Road to Escondido (with J.J. Cale, 2006) 22. For Your Love (Yardbirds, 1965) 23. No Reason to Cry (1976) 24. There’s One in Every Crowd (1975) 25. Money and Cigarettes (1983) 26. Goodbye (Cream, studio/live, 1969) 27. Behind the Sun (1985) 28. August (1986) 29. Clapton (2010) 30. Old Sock (2013) 31. The Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale (with various artists, 2014) 32. I Still Do (2016) 33. Happy Xmas (Christmas songs, 2018) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers” DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Eric Clapton DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Yardbirds DMDB Encyclopedia entry for John Mayall DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Cream DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Blind Faith DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Delaney & Bonnie DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Derek & the Dominos JR Jan Reid (2006). Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. Rodale Inc.: New York, NY. First posted 3/30/2012; updated 11/11/2021.

Today in Music (1968): The Doors “Hello, I Love You” hit #1

Hello I Love You The Doors

Writer(s): John Densmore, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison (see lyrics here) Released: June 11, 1968 First Charted: June 21, 1968 Peak: 12 BB, 11 CB, 11 GR, 11 HR, 1 CL, 15 UK, 11 CN, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 28.9 video, 90.53 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: In 1968, the Doors were falling victim to what guitarist Robbie Krieger called “the third album syndrome” in which a group have exhausted the repertoire they started with as a band and are then “they go on tour and they don’t have time to write any more stuff. By the third album you find yourself trying to write stuff in the studio and it shows.” FB In an effort to find material for their third album, Waiting for the Sun, the Doors went through some old poems written by lead singer Jim Morrison the summer after he graduated from UCLA film school. He wrote it in Venice one afternoon when he and keyboardist Ray Manzarek saw a young black girl walking down the beach. FB Morrison, Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore actually first recorded the song in 1965 when they were members of Rick & the Ravens. WK By the end of that year, they joined forces with Krieger to form The Doors. The latter band’s recording finds them “riding a riff that the early Kinks could have conjured, the Doors rock like a garage band.” DT Krieger created the effect by running his guitar through a fuzz box, which created a distorted effect similar to what Cream had done with “Sunshine of Your Love.” RC Krieger would also state that the song’s drum beat was taken from “Sunshine of Your Love” while denying that the song’s overall musical structure was taken from the Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night.” WK According to the Kinks’ lead singer Ray Davies, Morrison admitted that the Doors had used the riff from “All Day and All of the Night.” WK Resources: FB Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 244. RC Rod Couch (2015). The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era: 1955-2015. Page 493. DT Dave Thompson (2011). 1000 Songs That Rock Your World. Krause Publications: Iola, WI. Page 297. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 4/26/2024.

50 years ago: Cream “Sunshine of Your Love” charted

Sunshine of Your Love Cream

Writer(s): Peter Brown, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton (see lyrics here) Released: December 1967 First Charted: January 6, 1968 Peak: 5 US, 6 CB, 4 HR, 1 CL, 25 UK, 3 CN, 18 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 33.0 video, 300.94 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: In 1966, Eric Clapton had established himself as the premiere blues guitarist in Britain, thanks to stints in the Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Feeling confined by the latter group, he and fellow Bluesbreaker Jack Bruce formed a power trio with drummer Ginger Baker, who’d worked with Bruce in the Graham Bond Organisation. The resulting supergroup, Cream, only lasted two years but had a lasting impact on rock music. “No song illustrates this better than “Sunshine of Your Love,” which mixed hard rock with aspects of psychedelia to wonderful effect. The song centers around what is perhaps one of the most simplistic guitar riffs of all time, courtesy of ‘Slowhand’ himself, Eric Clapton. In many ways though, restraint is what propels “Sunshine of Your Love” forward, although Clapton’s remarkable skill with the guitar are on prominent display throughout the solo section.” UCR “Vocal duties are shared between Clapton and Jack Bruce, as the latter’s menacing bass gives the song it’s hefty low end. Drummer Ginger Baker cuts slightly loose during the song’s chorus, but otherwise keeps time as if he were in a military band.” UCR The lyrics were written by Peter Brown, a beat poet who was friends with Baker and Bruce. He also wrote the words for Cream’s songs “I Feel Free” and “White Room.” SF Bruce based the song a distinctive bass riff he developed after seeing Jimi Hendrix in concert on January 29, 1967, at the Saville Theatre in London. WK As Clapton said, “it was strictly a dedication to Jimi.” WK After Cream released “Sunshine of Your Love,” “the guitar legend began adding the song to his concert setlists,” UCR Unaware that he’d inspired the song. SF According to Bruce, Booker T. Jones and Otis Redding heard the song before its release and both said it would be a smash. SF Atlantic Record’s Ahmet Ertegun initially dismissed it as “psychedelic hogwash,” SFSF Resources: SF Songfacts UCR UltimateClassicRock.com (6/20/2013). “Top 100 Classic Rock Songs” WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 8/1/2022.