Eric Clapton's five most popular songs

Eric Clapton's five most popular songs

East Coast Gold brings you the five most popular songs from Rock and Roll legend Eric Clapton and looks at fascinating facts about his music.

Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton/ YouTube screenshot

Three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Eric Clapton, is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

He is a multi-talented individual who sings, writes songs, and plays the guitar. 

The 75-year-old was a prominent member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He was also a band member of Blind Faith.

He went solo and released hits such as ‘Tears In Heaven’, ‘I Shot The Sheriff’, ‘Cocaine', and ‘Old Love’. 

'Tears in Heaven'

The song was released in 1991. It was written after the death of Clapton’s son, Conor. The boy, who was four years old at the time, fell through a window to his death from a New York City apartment building. 

The song subsequently won the Grammy Award for 'Song of the Year', Grammy Award for 'Record of the Year', MTV Video Music Award for 'Best Male Video', Grammy Award for 'Best Male Pop Vocal Performance', and Danish Music Award for 'International Hit of the Year'. 

'Cocaine'

'Cocaine' was released in 1977 from the album 'Slowhand'. The original song was released by J. J. Cale. in 1976. 

Clapton's cover version became the seventh best-selling single of 1977.

'Since You Said Goodbye'

This song was released in 2014. It is taken from the album, 'The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale'. 

'I Shot the Sheriff'

The song was originally recorded by Bob Marley. Clapton released his cover on his solo album in 1974.

'Layla'

Layla is a love song written by Clapton and released in 1970. It won the Grammy Award for 'Best Rock Song'.

It comes from the album 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs'.

The song was written about Clapton’s forbidden love for the wife of his close friend George Harrison. The two eventually got married. 

Award-winning East Coast Gold plays Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Listen to East Coast Gold via the ECR app or here. We’re also on various other platforms, including Alexa (just enable the ‘East Coast Gold’ skill); MyTuner, Radio Garden; iono.fm, Radioline or OpenRadio.

Image courtesy of YouTube screenshot

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