Eric Clapton: His 50 Best Solo Songs, Ranked
Eric Clapton was a legend and one of rock’s greatest guitarists before he ever started making solo records. His albums with the Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith…
Eric Clapton was a legend and one of rock's greatest guitarists before he ever started making solo records. His albums with the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith influenced generations of guitarists (as did his work with Derek & the Dominoes -- but their album came after Clapton's debut album).
We're celebrating his solo catalog, as well as a few collaborative efforts with a few other legends. From Eric Clapton to Happy Xmas, here are our favorite E.C. solo jams.
The Latest on Eric Clapton
Clapton was one of dozens of guitarists to take part in a new all-star recording helmed by Mark Knopfler.
As previously reported, Knopfler recruited a star-studded lineup of fellow guitarists for a charity single benefitting Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.
The charity single is a new recording of "Going Home." The track is an instrumental featured on the 1983 score for the film Local Hero, which also served as the film's theme. Knopfler wrote the entire score of the film, which is considered his debut solo album and debut soundtrack album.
"Going Home" can be heard in its entirety below. Fans can purchase/download the song in a variety of formats at MarkKnopflersGuitarHeroes.com.
The re-recording of "Going Home" is billed as being by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes. Among those heroes was Jeff Beck, who died suddenly in January 2023 at age 78 from bacterial meningitis. According to a press release, Beck's contribution to the track is also the guitar icon's final recording.
Knopfler said, in part, of Beck, " ... Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really."
Beck, of course, was a close friend of Clapton's. In fact, Clapton and Beck's widow, Sandra, were the ones to organize a grand tribute concert honoring the late guitar icon back in May 2023.
50. “Call Me The Breeze” - ‘The Breeze (An Appreciation Of JJ Cale)’ (2014)
Bushbranch/Surfdog49. “Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday” - ‘Happy Xmas’ (2018)
Bushbranch /Surfdog48. “Runaway Trains” - Eric Clapton and Elton John - “Lethal Weapon 3’ (1992)
Reprise47. “Over The Rainbow (live)” - ‘One More Car, One More Rider’ (2002)
Reprise46. “Too Bad” - “Forever Man” B-side (1985)
Warner Bros45. “Whatcha Gonna Do” - (recorded during sessions for 1974’s “There’s One In Every Crowd,’ released on 1988’s ‘Crossroads’ box set, and later on ‘Give Me Strength: The ‘74/’75 Recordings)
Universal Music44. “Hoochie Coochie Man” - Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy - ‘The Concert For NYC’ (2001)
Sony Music43. “I’ve Been Trying” - Eric Clapton and D’Angelo - ‘Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Volume 5: 1998-1999)’ (2011)
Time-Life Music42. “I’m Tore Down” - ‘From The Cradle’ (1994)
Warner Bros41. “I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It” - ‘Reptile’ (2001)
Reprise40. “Traveling Riverside Blues” - ‘Me And Mr. Johnson’ (2004)
Reprise39. “Border Song” - ‘Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin’ (1991)
Polydor38. “You Must Believe Me” - ‘A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield’ (1994)
Warner Bros37. “Help Me Up” - ‘Rush (Music From The Motion Picture)” - (1992)
Reprise36. “Before You Accuse Me” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Bros35. “San Francisco Bay Blues” - ‘Unplugged’ (1992)
Reprise34. “Further On Up The Road” - The Band with Eric Clapton
Warner Bros/Rhino33. “Don’t Know Which Way To Go (featuring Buddy Guy)’ - ‘Rush (Music From The Motion Picture)” - (1992)
Reprise32. “No Alibis” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Bros.31. “Stone Free” - ‘Stone Free: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix’ (1993)
Reprise30. “Hard Times” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Bros29. “Voodoo Chile” - Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood - ‘Live From Madison Square Garden’ (2009)
Reprise28. “Pretending” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Bros27. “The Core” - ‘Slowhand’ (1977)
Universal Music26. “Bad Love” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Bros25. “Lay Down Sally” - ‘Slowhand’ (1977)
Universal Music24. “Promises” - ‘Backless’ (1978)
Universal Music23. “When The War Is Over” - J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton - ‘The Road To Escondido’ (2006)
Reprise22. “Double Trouble” - ‘No Reason To Cry’ (1976)
Universal Music21. “Riding With The King” - B.B. King and Eric Clapton - ‘Riding With The King’ (2000)
Reprise20. “She’s Waiting” - ‘Behind The Sun’ (1985)
Warner Bros19. “Hello Old Friend” - ‘No Reason To Cry’ (1976)
Universal Music18. “Forever Man” - ‘Behind The Sun’ (1985)
Warner Brothers17. “Old Love” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Brothers16. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” - single (1975)
Universal Music15. “The Sky Is Crying” - ‘There’s One In Every Crowd’ (1975)
Universal Music14. “Running On Faith” - ‘Journeyman’ (1989)
Warner Brothers13. “All Our Past Times” - ‘No Reason To Cry’ (1976)
Universal Music12. “Wonderful Tonight” - ‘Slowhand’ (1977)
Universal Music11. “Sign Language” - ‘No Reason To Cry’ (1976)
Universal Music10. “My Father’s Eyes” - ‘Pilgrim’ (1998)
Warner Brothers9. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” - ‘Bob Dylan - The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration’ (1993)
Columbia Records8. “Change The World” - ‘Phenomenon (soundtrack)’ - (1996)
Reprise7. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” - Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney - ‘Concert For George’ (2003)
Warner Bros.6. “I Shot The Sheriff” - ‘461 Ocean Boulevard’ (1974)
Universal Music5. “Cocaine” - ‘Slowhand’ (1977)
Universal Music4. “Layla” - ‘Unplugged’ (1992)
Reprise3. “After Midnight” - ‘Eric Clapton’ (1970)
Universal Music2. “Let It Rain” - ‘Eric Clapton’ (1970)
Universal Music1. “Tears In Heaven” - ‘Rush (Music From The Motion Picture)” - (1992)
Reprise
