Eric Clapton Songs Ranked

Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and of Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone‘s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and fourth in Gibson’s “Top 50 Guitarists of All Time”. He was also named number five in Time magazine’s list of “The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players” in 2009. Two of his most popular recordings were “Layla”, recorded with Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads”, recorded with Cream. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton’s grief was expressed in the song “Tears in Heaven”, which appeared on his Unplugged album. Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004 he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his solo career, Clapton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Here are all Eric Clapton songs ranked.

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20. No Alibis (Journeyman, 1989)

“Another of the AOR staples from the “Journeyman” album, “No Alibis” doesn’t sound much different from the job-lot, although it is both helped (when he sings the notes) and hindered (when he sings unnecessary extra notes) by Daryl Hall on backing vocals.”

19. After Midnight (Eric Clapton, 1970)

“One of Clapton’s signature songs now and his first interpretation of a J. J. Cale number. E. C.’s version is suitably low-key, turning in a competent cover, avoiding flashiness almost to the extent of underselling what is after all a fairly blatant innuendo-laden number.”

18. Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad (Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013, 2013)

“This song makes me cry when I listen to it, it’s so beautiful! I love this song so much! He has such an amazing voice and it fits perfectly with the song. Just a great song in general.”

17. Promises (Backless, 1978)

“There is so much expression of feelings in this song, Eric sings it and takes my blues away. I feel better when I hear this song every time.”

See more: Eric Clapton Albums Ranked

16. Little Wing (Live from Madison Square Garden, 2009)

“The lyrics to this song is just beautiful. There are so many things that can be paraphrased from the lyrics. Its one of those songs that never gets old. No matter how many times I hear it, I still tear up. Beautiful song.”

15. Change the World (Phenomenon, 1996)

“Sure the lyric is a bit saccharine, but with Clapton’s bluesy acoustic guitar licks, strong vocal and Babyface’s sympathetic, stripped-down production, the whole thing is elevated perhaps slightly beyond its station to a warm, fuzzy piece of Adult Contemporary Rock which I find hard to resist.”

14. Lay Down Sally (Slowhand, 1977)

“The country tinged, “Lay Down Sally”, is a very fun track, that finds Clapton at his most quirkiest. The rest of the album slows down the momentum just a bit, but never lets up.”

13. Bad Love (Journeyman, 1989)

“Starts off almost like something the Thompson Twins or Go West might have served up earlier in the decade but once E.C’s unmistakable guitar tone makes its first appearance, this settles down to a fine contemporary pop/rock number with a strong vocal and an absolutely zinging solo demonstrating that he wasn’t called “Slowhand” for something.”

12. I Feel Free (Fresh Cream, 1966)

“It’s so beautiful, the emotion displayed in this song is so raw and powerful. It’s so much more than a simple song it’s an amazing.”

11. Let It Rain (Eric Clapton, 1970)

“Best Clapton song of all time! He injects great riffs, effortlessly bends notes and makes the guitar sing as only he can do. I first heard this song in the early ’70s and crank it up loud whenever I hear it playing today.”

10. I Shot the Sheriff (461 Ocean Boulevard, 1974)

“Exceptional, The best cover I’ve ever heard next to All along the watchtower with Jimi Hendrix. Timeless record, a great cover originally written by Bob Marley.

9. Crossroads (Crossroads, 1988)

“A very simple song, but with so much emotion. Fits any mood but is always awesome to listen to when you are sad, when you are having a rough time. It really helps through all those times.”

8. Forever Man (Behind the Sun, 1985)

“Just simply a great song, can’t believe old love isn’t on here! It’s definitely my favourite clapton song of all time! This should be in the top ten, great drums and bass, great vocals and a stunning guitar.

7. White Room (24 Nights, 1991)

“This is the kind of song you can never get tired of listening to. It is raw with so much emotion, and I fall asleep to it every night because it’s so soothing. All time favourite song.”

See more: Steve Winwood Albums Ranked

6. Bell Bottom Blues (Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert, 1973)

“This song can be personified as a real person. This song has been sung with true feelings. Even the beats and coordination of the instruments are too good”

5. Sunshine of Your Love (24 Nights, 1991)

“A wonderful song! How come this is not in top 10 or at least within 20. This song has an amazing solo! One of the best solos of Eric Clapton. With a amazing background music and the whole song is based on the solo!”

4. Cocaine (Slowhand, 1977)

“”Cocaine” is the slick, groovy cut that continues to hold weight over the years as a rock staple. “Cocaine” is so ambivalent that, even if you’ve never touched anything stronger than a Starbucks latte, you understand the power of substance addiction, both the insidiousness of taking drugs and its irresistibility..”

3. Wonderful Tonight (Slowhand, 1977)

“Most probably the best old classic song I ever heard. Even Bruno Mars copied this song concept with his just the way you are the song. I always tell people I’m gonna get married while this song plays in the background. THE best love song ever.”

2. Tears in Heaven (Rush, 1992)

“I don’t know… every time I hear this song… Tears come out automatically from my eyes… There is something special in this song… Words can’t explain. The best song possible good luck beating it so sad almost made me cry :'( this is easily the best song in the whole entire universe!”

1. Layla (Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970)

“The best ever musical composition that exists. Clapton and Allman have created a riff that’s so sweet to hear and is seriously ‘music’. And piano coda by Jim Gordon is so classic and a real graceful exit to ever-graceful song. Last but not the least. Steve Ferrone gives the song deserved drums. This song’s is the best ever I’ve heard. “Layla, you got me on my knees!”