Eric Clapton Self Titled Album Songs Ranked

Eric Clapton is the debut studio album by British rock musician Eric Clapton, released in August 1970 under Atco and Polydor Records. After being successful with bands including The Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton recorded an album under his own name in late 1969 and early 1970. The album cover, photographed by Barry Feinstein,  depicts Clapton sitting in a Los Angeles photo studio while smoking a cigarette, his Fender Stratocaster Brownie electric guitar leaning between his legs. The song “Let it Rain” had originally been recorded with different lyrics as “She Rides”. Three mixes of the album were done, one by Delaney Bramlett, one by Tom Dowd, and one by Clapton himself. The 11-track album, Dowd mix was the one used for the original release. Bramlett’s 10-track album mix without “Told You for the Last Time,” is included in the Deluxe Edition released on CD in 2006. Here are all of Eric Clapton Self Titled Album songs ranked.

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11. Blues Power

“A fine showcase for a talented young man with a deep love and respect for black music, then at the peak of his powers.”

10. Easy Now

“Eric Clapton’s first solo album after Blind Faith dissolved the previous year. There is a heavy emphasis on brass throughout the album, but honestly I feel the best songs are the ones where Clapton’s awesome guitar is in the front seat.”

9. Let It Rain

“Let It Rain is the highlight here and has absolutely nothing to do with the previous ten tracks, but it’s a brilliant coda, with its sparkling melody expounded on by a series of delicious solos.”

See more: Eric Clapton Albums Ranked

8. After Midnight

“A modest solo debut, then, but it rather becomes him. Although only moderately successful on first release, the set contains at least three songs which became staples in his years-to-come live sets, these being “After Midnight”, the first manifestation of an appreciation for another reluctant troubadour,”

7. Don’t Know Why

“At this stage in his career, after the fall-out from Blind Faith, it seemed the time was right for Eric Clapton to go solo. Typically though, he seems to do so almost reluctantly, submerging himself in the touring band he’d loosely joined of blues rockers Delaney and Bonnie.”

6. Lonesome and a Long Way From Home

“This is a lot of fun. Some of the rhythm n’ blues workouts feel a bit perfunctory – I honestly couldn’t bring any of these tracks outside of the singles to mind if called upon – but there’s a surprising degree of cohesion considering the enormous group of musicians involved and the song lengths are short enough that if something doesn’t quite land you can move on quickly to the next track.”

5. Told You for the Last Time

“This self titled album from Eric Clapton is a good first solo long play by one of the great guitarist of this time (1970). The album is full of well written songs and a nice country blues vibe permeates this release.”

See more: Eric Clapton Songs Ranked

4. Bad Boy

“Not a bad solo debut for Clapton, as this release was sandwiched between the dissolution of Blind Faith and the formation of Derek and the Dominos. In a way, the album seems to be a duet set between Clapton and Delaney Bramlett. “

3. Lovin’ You Lovin’ Me

“After the break up of the super group Cream Eric Clapton spent much of his time developing a massive drug habit, forming another less successful super group, Blind Faith, before successfully tarnishing his guitar God like image with some odd like adventures.”

2. Slunky

“Fortunately for this album Clapton was still in close enough proximity to his days with Cream and Blind Faith to still be at least partially in fretburning Guitar God mode, and not quite settled into his laid-back groove for the 70s just yet”

1. Bottle of Red Wine

“This album is an example of one of the reasons Eric Clapton is still popular after all these years. He knows how to please the majority with his consistently pleasant, middle of the road music.”