Top 20 Eric Clapton Songs: An Excursion into Guitar Virtuosity

Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Chief Editor

Brief Overview of the Top 20 Eric Clapton Songs

One of the most well-known and significant guitarists and performers of all time is Eric Clapton, also known as “Slowhand.” Over the course of his storied six-decade career, he has continuously produced timeless music that has found a following across the globe. We’ll go deeply into the best 20 songs by Eric Clapton in this post, highlighting his incredible skill, adaptability, and lasting influence.

Our Ranking Criteria for the Top 20 Eric Clapton Songs

We searched for the Eric Clapton songs on YouTube and checked the total views count for each song, whether they were published on their official channels or other channels. If you think there is a mistake in our ranking criteria, please let us know by leaving your comments at the end of this post, or you can tell us via the Contact Us form. 

	Song Name	Combined* Views On YouTube	Release Year
20	Let It Rain	3 Million	1970
19	It’s in the Way That You Use It	3 Million	1986
18	I Can’t Stand It	4 Million	1981
17	Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out	4 Million	1977
16	Promises	5 Million	1978
15	After Midnight	5 Million	1970
14	Forever Man	6 Million	1985
13	Badge	8 Million	1973
12	Bell Bottom Blues	13 Million	1973
11	Crossroads	16 Million	1988
10	Cream’s “White Room	34 Million	1968
9	Lay down, Sally	36 Million	1977
8	My Father’s Eyes	39 Million	1992
7	Change the World	67 Million	1996
6	Cream: “Sunshine of Your Love	72 Million	1967
5	Cocaine	111 Million	1977
4	Tears in Heaven	150 Million	1992
3	I Shot the Sheriff	160 Million	1974
2	Layla	334 Million	1970
1	Wonderful Tonight	400 Million	1977

20 Let it Rain

“This song’s amazing. From ‘Sea of Joy’ to ‘Layla’, and all his other tunes – Clapton’s a legend. I’m lucky I grew up listening to him.

Some Highlights about Let it Rain

• You can play this song when you feel like crying. If you are pretty sensitive, if someone’s upset with you or messes up, this tune helps.
• This song is still awesome. And the pictures in the video are great!
• He made things so much better for everyone.

19 It’s in the Way That You Use It

Some Highlights about It’s in the Way That You Use It

• This song jumps straight into the chorus, not like most songs.
• Eric Clapton has been awesome since the start, and now he’s just brilliant. You can’t get enough of this song.
• You will always want to hear this song. It’s one of Clapton’s top ones song all the time.

18 I Can’t Stand It

“I Can’t Stand It” was the first single from Eric Clapton’s 1981 album Another Ticket. On the record label for the vinyl 45, it’s credited as Eric Clapton and His Band. It was also used for interludes on Bill O’Reilly’s radio show, The Radio Factor.

Some Highlights about I Can’t Stand It

• He’s such a legend and so talented.
• He’s one of the best singers and guitarists out there.
• His other songs are very lovely.

17 Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out

Jimmie Cox, a pianist, wrote the blues standard “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” in 1923. The lyrics in the popular 1929 recording by Bessie Smith are told from the point of view of somebody who was once wealthy during the Prohibition era and reflects on the fleeting nature of material wealth and the friendships that come and go with it.

Some Highlights about Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out

• It’s cool how he sings about rich folks wasting money in front of a rich crowd.
• His guitar skills are amazing and people sleep on his voice. Didn’t get it in the 80s, but I sure do now!
• This version is so amazing.

16 Promises

“Promises” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the United States, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Australia, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy in September 1978.

Some Highlights About Promises

• This song really hits the feels. It’s like it tells a story everyone knows and gives hope. It’s so catchy and smooth. Just awesome.
• This has got to be one of the prettiest songs I’ve ever heard!
• This song is an all-time favorite for everyone.

15 After Midnight

After Midnight” is a rock song by J. J. Cale, first released in 1966.

“After Midnight” has been considered one of Clapton’s signature songs throughout his career. Other artists covered the song in later years.

Some Highlights About After Midnight

• “No matter how old this song gets, it’s always fresh to everyone. This version especially.
• He’s a total guitar legend.
• His voice in this song will steal your heart

14 Forever Man

Forever Man is a compilation album by the British rock musician Eric Clapton and was released through Reprise Records.

Some Highlights About “Forever Man”

• He’s the masterpiece
• No one can sing this song like this as Clapton did

13 Badge (Cream Blend)

“Badge” is a song written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and recorded by British rock music group Cream on their final album, Goodbye.

Some Highlights About Badge

• This version is just awesome!
• A lot of songs from this concert are top-notch. Such a great band.
• After 30 years, ‘Badge’ still sounds fresh with new twists.
• These musicians are amazing!

12 Derek and the Dominos’ Bell Bottom Blues

Bell Bottom Blues” is a song written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock, and performed by Derek and the Dominos.

Some Highlights About Bell Bottom Blues

• Any version of this song is a solid 10/10! It’s just perfect!
• Great classic song.
• It’s so good!
• How can anyone not like this amazing and heartfelt song

11 Cream, Crossroads

How is the song that elicited the phrase, “Clapton is God” not on the list? The “Live at Winterland” recording conveys some of the best riffs of his career.

Some Highlights About Crossroads

• This song wasn’t even by Eric Clapton, he just sang the original.
• Music is awesome because it unites everyone, no matter where you’re from. It’s all about the vibe and emotion. So cool!
• Amazing and lovely Song of the 90th Century.

10 White Room

White Room” is a song by British rock band Cream, composed by bassist Jack Bruce with lyrics by poet Pete Brown. They recorded it for the studio half of the 1968 double album Wheels of Fire.

Some Highlights About “White Room”

• Jack was really good at singing and writing songs. People will remember his stuff for a long time!
• This is one of Clapton’s best, both with Cream and on his own.
• This is a masterpiece

9 Lay down, Sally

Lay Down Sally” is a country blues song performed in the style of J. J. Cale.

Some Highlights about Lay down, Sally

• You can’t stop watching because it brings back so many memories.
• It’s got a mix of funk, country, rock, and blues.

Some highlights about My Father’s Eyes Song

• This song and performance is epic. Unbelievable quality like Clapton himself. This guy is a true musical legend.
• Such a beautiful soul coming through this fabulous song.

7 Change the World

Change the World” is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and recorded by country music artist Wynonna Judd.

Some Highlights About Change the World

• A message to the future generations. Don’t let this song die.
• Eric Clapton’s tunes are awesome. Great music and his voice is one of a kind.
• Eric’s music style is so unique. No one does it like him.

6 Cream: Sunshine of Your Love

Sunshine of Your Love” is a 1967 song by the British rock band Cream.

Some Highlights About “Sunshine of Your Love”

• You can easily overlook how good Clapton’s voice really is.
• It feels like they’re just having a big jam session.
• Eric is amazing in this, totally at his best. He just walks up and nails it with his cool blues-rock style, and his band matches him. He’s the best at making it up on the spot, and he’s an incredible singer and writer too.

5 Cocaine

During the 1970s, cocaine was rampant in the music industry, and many celebrities used the drug recreationally.

Some Highlights About Cocaine

• This concert is just beyond awesome.
• Classic and beautiful songs from Eric Clapton, a good and professional concert facility for the artist in the future, could be a horsens music art city in Denmark.
• Eric Clapton really connects with his audience! So cool!

4 Tears in Heaven

“Tears in Heaven” is a song by English guitarist, singer, and songwriter Eric Clapton and Will Jennings, written about the death of Clapton’s four-year-old son, Conor.

Some Highlights About Tears in Heaven

• Whenever he sings the song, it feels like he’s sharing a story, but each time, it’s a bit different.
• You will never get tired of Eric Clapton.
• This song is a lovely way to remember and honor those we’ve lost.

3 I Shot the Sheriff

The song was first released in 1973 on The Wailers’ album Burnin.

Some Highlights About “I Shot the Sheriff”

• Eric gives this a reggae twist.
• He nails it every time! It’s been over 50 years, and he still amazes us.
• So much respect for him!
• This is amazing. Everyone on stage did great, especially with the guitar work.
• It’s got millions of views, but it deserves billions!”
• This is fantastic. It might be the best version by Eric Clapton.
• The bass guitarist is incredible! Everyone’s just so good!”

2 Derek and the Dominos’ Layla

Clapton and Gordon separately created contrasting movements. The piano part has also been controversially credited to Rita Coolidge, Gordon’s girlfriend at the time.

Some Highlights About “Layla”

• Even after all these years, he still sounds absolutely amazing.
• What strikes me as poetic is that when you first hear ‘Layla,’ it’s this passionate, fast, and intense expression of youthful love and desire by a talented young musician.
• But as Clapton gets older, he’s sitting down, playing the same melody with a sense of nostalgia and maturity. That’s the genius of Eric Clapton.

1 Wonderful Tonight

Eric Clapton wrote the ballad “Wonderful Tonight.” It was included on Clapton’s 1977 album Slowhand. Clapton wrote the song about Pattie Boyd. Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman provide the female vocal harmonies on the song.

Some Highlights About Wonderful Tonight

• This song hits you right in the feels.
• This song always brings back good memories.
• This music fits any mood, from sad to happy and everything in between.

Listen to More Eric Clapton’s songs.

Eric is a legendary musician and you should check his more songs from his official YouTube channel named “Eric Clapton“

Throughout his career, Eric Clapton has shown creativity, teamwork, and an unshakable dedication to the guitar. Millions of admirers all across the globe have found solace in his songs, and he has had an enormous impact on the rock and blues music scene. We recognize the ongoing legacy of a real musical icon whose music inspires and resonates with listeners of all generations.

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