Many artists develop a dislike for their biggest hits, often feeling trapped by them.
It’s understandable; after years or even decades of performing the same song, it can be disheartening to see audiences only light up for that familiar intro.
Eric Clapton, however, defies this trend. He continues to feel a thrill every time he plays his iconic track, “Layla.”
Numerous musicians harbor disdain for their well-known songs. For example, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke famously tells fans to “fuck off” when they request “Creep.”
Pete Townshend described “Pinball Wizard” as “awful,” while Kurt Cobain expressed his frustration with “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” stating he wanted to throw down his guitar in defeat. It’s common for the very song that catapults an artist to fame to become one they resent.
In contrast, Clapton embraces “Layla” with genuine pride and amazement. He acknowledges the song’s profound impact, saying, “You never really get used to having ownership of something that powerful.”
The backstory of “Layla” adds layers to its significance. Clapton wrote it for Pattie Boyd, who was then married to George Harrison.
Clapton secretly loved Boyd and had an affair with her before eventually marrying her. “Layla” was her nickname, a term of endearment that appeared at the top of his love letters to her.
In one such letter, he wrote, “Dear Layla. For nothing more than the pleasures past I would sacrifice my family, my god, and my own existence… If you want me, take me, I am yours… if you don’t want me, please break the spell that binds me.”
Both Clapton and Boyd understood that the song transcended their personal relationship. Boyd described it as “the most powerful, moving song I had ever heard.”
With its roaring guitars and Clapton’s soulful vocals, “Layla” has become an anthem for deep longing.
Despite the song’s enduring significance, Clapton admits it presents challenges.
He told Mike Hrano, “’Layla’ is a difficult one because it’s a difficult song to perform live. You have to have a good complement of musicians to get all of the ingredients going…
It’s difficult to do as a quartet because there are some parts where you have to play and sing completely opposing lines, which is almost impossible to do.”
Yet, whenever Clapton manages to pull it off or simply hears the 1970 track, he remains deeply impressed, stating, “It still knocks me out every time I play it.”
