Eric Clapton is undoubtedly one of the most successful and influential guitarists of all time. His professional music career spans over six decades, during which he attained heights unmatched by any other musician.
On top of many other awards, Clapton has received 18 Grammy Awards and is the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three separate times. He is also among the best-selling musicians of all time, with over 280 million record sales.
Throughout his career, Clapton touched on many different topic areas. Today, we will focus on his love-inspired music by counting down the 10 best Eric Clapton love songs.
1. Layla
Album: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Released: 1971
Choosing the best of Eric Clapton is a challenging task. He is such a legendary musician with so many iconic songs. The only easy choice is that the number one spot should be “Layla”.
Not only is “Layla” the best Eric Clapton love song, in my opinion, but it is also one of his best songs overall, if not the best. It is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and Rolling Stone added it to their list of greatest songs of all time.
Clapton wrote it together with Jim Gordon, and they first recorded it with their band at the time, Derek and the Dominos. Clapton also later performed an acoustic version of the song, which won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.
2. Wonderful Tonight
Album: Slowhand
Released: 1977
“Wonderful Tonight” is another musical masterpiece by Eric Clapton. The ballad is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and definitely one of the all-time best love songs.
Clapton wrote the song for his girlfriend at the time, Pattie Boyd. The couple got married two years after the release of this song, but they were divorced in 1989.
Eric Clapton wrote the song while he was waiting for Pattie Boyd to get ready for the annual party of Paul and Linda McCartney.
3. Forever Man
Album: Behind the Sun
Released: 1985
“Forever Man” is a more upbeat love song with a catchy tune and epic guitar solo. It was released as the first single of the Behind the Sun album, Clapton’s ninth solo album. Jerry Lynn Williams wrote it.
The lyrics are of a man professing his love to his beloved. It seems that he is trying to convince her as she does not understand.
The track achieved a lot of success by selling over 500,000 copies worldwide and reaching the number one stop on the US Mainstream Rock Billboard Chart.
4. Pretending
Album: Journeyman
Released: 1989
“Pretending” was another Eric Clapton hit that was written and produced by Jerry Lynn Williams. The track was pretty successful on the charts reaching number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart and number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Although the track did not age very well, perhaps due to some pop music elements in its composition, it is still a great love song.
The music video has Clapton and others performing in the rain. It is stated that Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai influenced it.
5. Change the World
Album: Phenomenon
Released: 1996
“Change the World” is a beautiful love song originally written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and originally recorded by Wynonna Judd. Eric Clapton recorded his own cover version of the track in the same year.
Clapton’s version was received very well by both fans and critics. It topped the charts in Canada and won eight awards, including three Grammy Awards, one of which was the Song of the Year Award.
6. Have you ever loved a woman
Album: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Released: 1970
This blues song was written by Billy Myles and then first recorded in 1960 by blues artist Freddie King. Eric Clapton recorded several different versions of this song both in the studio and live.
“Have You Ever Loved a Woman” is filled with epic guitar playing and soulful vocals. The song asks the listener if they have ever loved a woman so much that it hurts.
7. I Get Lost
Album: The Story of Us
Released: 1999
Clapton wrote and recorded “I Get Lost” for the 1999 film, The Story of Us, starring Bruce Willis. The track falls in the pop genre, like nothing else that Clapton performs.
“I Get Lost” made it to the number one spot on the US Maxi Single Sales Billboard.
8. Anything For Your Love
Album: Journeyman
Released: 1989
This is another beautiful song written by Jerry Lynn Williams and Marty Grebb and performed by Clapton.
The song talks about how the singer will do just about anything in the world if they can get love from their beloved.
9. Wanna Make Love to You
Album: Crossroads
Released: 1988
“Wanna Make Love to You” is a soulful rock track that combines smooth guitar playing with emotional vocals. It was also written by Jerry Lynn Williams and is contained in the music collection box set Crossroads.
Crossroads is a big collection of many works by Eric Clapton. It includes music from his solo career as well as his work with the Yardbirds, Cream, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos.
10. Pretty Girl
Album: Money and Cigarettes
Released: 1983
The last pick on this love song list is “Pretty Girl”. Eric Clapton wrote the song, combining elements of blues and rock as only Clapton can.
“Pretty Girl” is part of Clapton’s eighth solo album, Money and Cigarettes. The album was recorded shortly after his first rehabilitation from alcoholism.
Music has always been a big part of my life. Now I want to share my passion for music with the world. Some of my favorite genres of music include pop, rap, dance, and electronic. Let’s make the world a better place with music!
