Breaking Down My Favorite Eric Clapton Song

[@coffeemachtspass]

1-½ verses into the song and Clapton has already played more chords than the entire 2023 Spotify Top Ten.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

Yeah but you could play 5 and do that lol

[@coloaten6682]

Spotify just called and said you've reached your chord allocation for the month. Shoulda chose the Fancy Plan, you get chords and licks!! 🤣🤣

[@teodorohonrado7120]

❤😂🎉😊

[@joshuafreedman7703]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@ludwigvanel9192]

😅

[@Beff_Juckley]

Awesome!! Would love to see a break down of Cream's "White Room" as well!

[@risseldyrosseldy910]

@Beff_Juckley Jack Bruce ,in a late 80's interview with one of the major trade rags ,said that Eric's single string intro was his tip of the cap to the aria in Puccini's Madame Butterfly .Simple , piercing , haunting.Masterful.

[@SuperTonybo]

simple song,,jack bruce,,was most of the ear in that band,,well round player!!

[@LanguidAndBittersweet]

Listening to this song for over 40 years, my skin still turns to gooseflesh and my eyes well with tears every time the second movement begins. I feel something larger than emotion, grander than hope, a frisson of invincibility. This song is pure sorcery. 🩵

[@amajor7add9]

Yeah, Duane really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. And this is 1970 Duane, by summer/fall ‘71 he was hitting another level!

[@thomassieckmann8962]

I saw a Clapton interview years ago where he said he was driving in his car and the Wilson Pickett version of "Hey Jude" came on the radio. After listening to it he pulled his car over (no cell phones in those days) and called Tom Dowd and said "who is playing those guitar fils on the Pickett version. Dowd said it was a guy named Skydog Alman. That was when Duane was a studio musician in Muscle Shoals befire the Alman Brotheres Band

[@Sean_Farmer]

I can't believe I didn't think of it until now, but it would be great to get Eric to do an interview with you. I've heard many people interview him but don't recall there being too much talk about his songwriting. Who knows, maybe you're already working on it?

[@rogerramjet6615]

He's done an interview recently on bitchute

[@jamiepasquariello2652]

​@@FYMASMD Clapton is God

[@thomasandersson9605]

​@@FYMASMDApologize now 😡😠🤬

[@nickk8416]

Absolutely yes! And when he sees this video I'm sure he'd be happy to go on with you Rick. I'd love to see it! You'd have a million things to talk about. Your interviews are always fabulous.

[@paulramon3353]

just don't ask him about lockdowns

[@Cavie1974]

Jim Gordon should get a ton of credit for his drumming. He's not just playing a straight groove , he's accenting the vocal parts and filling in the space between the guitar riffs. Masterful drumming. No wonder he was in so much demand in those days.

[@thomasespositio3139]

Big Jim was stellar,listen to him on why does love have to be so sad studio or live version

[@DrMetPhD]

All while being Gotham's Police Commissioner! Incredible

[@namewitheld2568]

Iove the drumming on this song

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Great drummer but he did not write the Coda. Rita Coolidge his former girlfriend, wrote it. Plenty of evidence to back that up.

[@briancaterino2479]

Gordon was a crucial component in the bands sound

[@markelcock4669]

Rick is the only guy ever who does air guitar with a guitar in his hands...love it

[@grimmertwin2148]

Me 2. No not that one lol

[@cubnation]

​@@grimmertwin2148😂🤣

[@bgierat]

Duane’s slide playing perfectly somehow captured the emotion of the subject matter within Layla. Amazing

[@christophercaratzas1743]

Duane is MVP of the entire album IMO.

[@beauwhitlock5034]

That’s my father singing and playing B3. I’m very proud of his musical achievements.

[@billdillon3886]

You should be. Without him, some of the greatest music that exists today in rock would not be as good. He made every song better. Love Bobby.

[@wecandobetter9821]

I just love his vocals on the song It’s to late. Just a great musical talent

[@jamapx]

So cool Beau. God bless you and your dad!

[@TheJesusPrayer-cz7zg]

Your father is a legend.

[@harryking8498]

Dude, some of my favorite musicians are Carl Radle, Jim Gordon.......and Bobby Whitlock. Those 3 guys absolutely defined so much music in the early 70's, between Delaney and Bonnie, Dave Mason, George Harrison......and of course Derek & the Dominos. Always thought if I ever start a band, I'm calling us The Bobby Whitlocks. Seriously, your dad is among the most seriously underappreciated musicians ever. Love everything he has done.

[@stephendoherty981]

For those who don't know, the jam sessions that Clapton and Allman played together, and that produced Layla, are available on KZbin. Guitar heaven.

[@elizabethmcleod246]

Layla is without doubt a masterpiece. I was 13 on a road trip with my family and the song came on the car radio. I’ll never forget how it made me feel….utterly awestruck. ❤

[@borboletta]

Rick, You should do an interview with Clapton! One of the last true legends!

[@leddygee1896]

AND Jimmy Page!!😁

[@borboletta]

@@leddygee1896 And Herbie Hancock!

[@C_Melvyn_James]

@@leddygee1896 And Geddy Lee. I'm almost sure you've heard of him.

[@richyalexander9206]

George Benson pleaseeee

[@jagtone]

I'd rather hear more of Clapton playing and less of him talking, all around.

[@captainsnarky6949]

Duane's "bird chirp" at the very end of the song always makes me shiver. That's something you can't learn to do, either you have the supernatural talent to touch the instrument like that, or you don't. Duane had it.

[@rohanroll]

Amazing and great the whole tune may be, I believe that this chirping bird is the best part of the song. Duane was something else...

[@JIMBCPA]

The bird chirp is done with a slide in reverse. With your left hand just mute all the strings. Put the slide in your right hand hand gently slide it on the high strings from the bridge towards the neck. Kinda easy when you get the hang of it.

[@ishedski7270]

One of the greatest tragedies in music was his untimely death.

[@mtjam3183]

I always viewed Duane’s “bird call” at very end to be his signature . Like an artist signing their painting. His contributions to Layla cannot be understated.

[@OldStreetDoc]

Eric Clapton doesn’t seem to do ‘a lot’ of one on one interviews. But those I’ve seen him do, and the way certain people can bring an actual conversation out of him, lead me to believe that were you to sit down with Eric you could have a CLASSIC interview on your hands, Rick. I grew up with the ‘Clapton is God’ poster on my wall… and I’d almost have a hard time disagreeing considering the emotions Clapton could so powerfully evoke from me. The ‘Guitar Hero’ thing is like most things today overused. Eric Clapton, I think, is simply a genius at his craft - which essentially is the blues. And we recognize that genius for what it is. Which I would think is far and away above a label like ‘Guitar Hero’. I can count on one hand the musicians who I hold in similar regard to Clapton. A Rick Beato - Eric Clapton interview would get a million views. And that’s just the number of times ‘I’ would watch it.

[@BenderMohawk]

What a wonderful analysis, Rick! “Layla” is a masterpiece. It’s a bunch of young guys at the top of their game - Eric, Duane, Bobby, Carl, and Jim. Though Jim Gordon is credited as a songwriter because of the piano coda, Rita Coolidge alleges he stole it from her - a song called “Time.” A number of people back up her claim, including Bobby Whitlock. Gordon died in a psychiatric prison after killing his mother with a hammer and butcher knife in the early 80s. At the time of the murder he was an undiagnosed schizophrenic. Crazy stories and tragedies are connected to this tune.

[@DeathValleyDazed]

BTW among people surrounding schizophrenics, the highest mortality is the mother. Even higher than fathers, psych hospital staff, police, clergy, and extended family, because mothers are the last to give up on their child, even into adulthood. Thus mothers are so vulnerable due to their intimacy and nurturing traits.🥲

[@steely_Bob]

Beato was about 8-9 yrs old when Layla was released in 1971. Crazy! I still have the pristine album. I was a senior in high school.

[@rww71]

Well I was born in 1971 and I also love the song - are you just cooler than the rest of us for being in HS then?

[@mikeryan8855]

Me too! The album blew me away. I learned every song on it!

[@rolandzoske448]

I was 10 years old when I first heard it on the radio - still behind the Iron Curtain. And that gave me an idea of the energy music has and what it can do to people. This love of music has always accompanied me ever since.

[@namewitheld2568]

Sometime in the mid 90's i was sitting in my car in front if my moms house. I was in my late 20s. Layla came on as I parked and I just cranked it up and sat sitting there listening. As the song was ending yhere was a knock on my window and this teenager standing there. I rolled down my window and asked her what she wanted and she said oh my god. What song is that? I said that's Layla by Eric Clapton. She said that's the most incredible song I've heard in my life. It is an absolutely timeless piece that rips your guts out.

[@michaelwhinnery164]

There is a documentary on Tommy Dowd who was the recording engenier on hundreds of hit songs throughout the 60's 70's and I think 80's...anyway in the documentary Tommy isolates Eric and Dwaynes guitar parts and it is Phenomenal.

[@Durmomo0]

The guitar tone on this song is sick. It just has some wild energy to it, I cant explain it.

[@gabrieldeandrade3703]

The tone of both Strat and Gibson on this record are sick, so different and yet so amazing

[@amajor7add9]

Shoutout Duane Allman on that Les Paul. Check out the Allman Bros playing the closing of the Fillmore East, as well as stonybrook 9/19/71. Duane’s tone is so full, delicate yet growling

[@Blinknone]

I saw Eric Clapton in the 80's.. One of my very first concerts. Always loved his playing.

[@mhoppy6639]

I saw him in 91 at royal Albert hall. It was very good indeed esp the work on Nathan east alongside him. The whole band was at its absolute tightest.

[@altfiwithleighlommen310]

I loved that Tom Dowd documentary. You don't realize that some of these producers are so integral to much of the music we enjoy

[@johne.tucats5493]

It's a fantastic recording and I've never heard a live version by Clapton that even comes close to capturing the feel. It was too good!

[@nickk8416]

I love this video so. You do such justice to this and offer such respect to the players. 50 years ago I wore out 2 double album lp's of Derek and the Dominoes "In Concert" at the Filmore trying to figure it out. Clapton, Whitlock, Radle and Jim Gordon to this day are my favorite band of all time. Allman Brothers and Steely Dan are right there too. Great stuff Rick and Merry Christmas.

[@jimideez9829]

I'm witcha Nick.

[@joedecker3900]

This and Cream were his finest hours, I never get tired of that song. It’s that amazing!

[@mhoppy6639]

I agree. Badge, tales of brave Ulysses, strange brew. All straight up classics.

[@doubleddrummer]

More Clapton Please!! This is just one of the best songs, there are so much more.

[@josephfetz1748]

I learned about the key of the song being 1/4 off way back in 1997. My guitar teacher was the one who told me (pretty sure he had perfect pitch). He was a very good teacher named G.T. "Terry" Bland who played with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in their later years, and also played all of the banjo parts heard on the original Dukes of Hazard.

[@L0vbn56y]

Watching your videos invokes a deep regret in my many, many years of life - that I didn’t learn to play a piano or guitar in my youth. Fortunately I can play the stereo…

[@paulkramer9666]

Carl Radle on bass guitar, was tremendously talented. He's fantastic on Clapton's "461 Ocean Blvd." album. Together with Jim Gordon, it was a rhythm section that was hard to beat. 👍

[@christophercaratzas1743]

Radle's bass on Why Does Love Got to be So Sad is fantastic.

[@drewmitchell2527]

Tired of doodling! Just bought the bundle. Committing to the Beato Book and getting my theory study done during 2024. Great value package. Love the online video tutorials.

[@GlenWhatley]

I'm 71 and a by-ear bass player. I find that back then songs that I would have just said, 'That's a good song, I like it, I'll learn the bassline', after Rick's analysis of the songs eg: Layla, I now appreciate them much more. We were soooo fortunate to have grown up at that time when artists actually had talent and the record companies took big chances on them that helped form our personal history!

[@fredo1070]

The use of the piano section in Goodfellas is sublime.

[@Lemopalm]

Kubrick and Scorsese were masters at taking well known pieces of instrumental music and making them fit with a film

[@fredo1070]

@@Lemopalm Most of |Kubrick's music was not so well known, like Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary. But Scorsese gave me my musical tastes. Gimmie Shelter, Jumping Jack Flash, Rubber Biscuit, Layla, What is Life, Jump into the Fire, Cavalleria Rusticana , The Feeling Begins etc, etc .

[@GuilhermeSilva-rp2it]

Scorsese is sublime.

[@gillesthibault429]

​@@Lemopalm Tarentino is also a master at selecting songs for his soundtracks!

[@Eric31477]

"When they found Carbone in the meat truck, he was so frozen stiff that it took 2 days until they could perform the autopsy..."

[@thegospelmeetslife.2021]

Out of all the things you mentioned I think the most interesting and important is time. It took time to write a masterpiece like this. It didn’t happen overnight. Creating art takes time and patience. It takes knowledge of your craft. It’s not easy creating something that lasts for generations.

[@CrazyBillBo]

Didn’t mention the bird chirps at the end . One of my favorite parts of the song

[@nathansturgess92]

I always said that if I ever got to see Eric play the electric version of Layla live (having seen him play the acoustic version loads), I’d probably just cry. In reality, my jaw just dropped so hard I think I bruised my chin.

[@kathleenhudson8429]

I was lucky to attend a couple of Cream concerts back in the late 60s. I have loved Clapton’s guitar playing ever since. I couldn’t pick out a favorite song of his; there are just too many good ones. I love his blues songs as well as his rock songs.

[@roncarlson7682]

This one and Badge are my favorites that Clapton did. We worked up Badge back in ‘69 and everyone in the band just wanted to keep playing it during practice. We all enjoyed it big time.

[@mmalie51]

I’ve had the pleasure to have been a part of many car builds (early Hot Rods) for Eric and just finished up another two months back. He is very down to earth while being such a huge star. I’ve been waiting for a special or wmtsg on Layla.

[@pettergrnnesby2377]

Roy Brizio?

[@mmalie51]

@@pettergrnnesby2377 Yessir. Im with Sid on the interiors.

[@Freempg]

Has he fully recovered from his vaccine injury?

[@JamesDohertyTalks]

​@@Freempgnope. He said that openly

[@Mark_B585]

That's lame that you'd lie about this. 😐👎

[@markh2901]

Carl Radle's sub-hook melody in the verses is just beautiful. A perfect example of bass providing both counterpoint and support. For me as a bassist, that makes the song.

[@abscence1000]

I would love to see a break down of bell bottom blues. The chord changes in that tune always felt like the most emotional changes I’ve ever heard in a song.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Bell Bottom Blues is my second favorite Clapton song. Only Badge is better to me. I'm an absolute, unapologetic, Eric Clapton devotee and will be til the day I die. I don't know that any human being ever has expressed such emotion through their instrument of choice than Clapton.

[@vincentwhitley1119]

Very emotional song but so is Layla

[@vincentwhitley1119]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 ... The "Core" is some of his best guitar work

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@vincentwhitley1119 Oh yeah. Another of my favorite underrated Clapton songs is Watch Out for Lucy. That's such a fun song. Maybe the most fun song he has. It's right up there with Lay Down Sally for just good old fashioned rock and roll.

[@vincentwhitley1119]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 ..That album caught flack for being so different from his other work but it has awesome songs on it

[@kbrown649]

The coda of this song is quite possibly one of the most awesome pieces of music ever written. Those chords, and chord melody work, what more would you ever need.

[@ricosavage13]

Love to see you get Bobby Whitlock on the channel. He's a historic treasure trove, going all the way back to his teenage years hanging around at Stax in Memphis, Delaney and Bonnie, George Harrison, Derek and the Dominoes, and more. IMHO, his voice and songwriting are the added element that made the Layla album so great, beyond the great guitarists. He actually has more songwriting credits than Clapton on the album and is a better singer. He's getting old and I'd love to see you talk to him while he's still healthy.

[@MikeDiCiero]

Bobby has been disrespected by way too many people, he more than deserves to be interviewed for his contributions to one of rocks greatest album

[@EubanksDVDs]

Layla was the song that made my pick up my first guitar - I fell in love with the tune. After 2 years of practicing I managed to play the 3 layers :). Thank you for featuring this epic tune

[@CurtHowland]

Layla is a classic. It will be played hundreds of year from now, along with a select few, like Bohemian Rhapsody, that will be added to the "standard repertoire".

[@DannyG-cv8so]

The Beatles will still be played in 1000s of years 😂

[@jamestomkin8784]

Please don't put anything Queen equal to this. Not even close!

[@rodmact6548]

It's impossible to pick the best Beato ever, because they're all so f-ing great. But this Layla analysis ranks near or at the top. It's just another super-fantastic analysis of a classic and I'm damned sorry I missed it when it was live. I'm 85 and way past my trumpeting days but I'm not too old to learn more about what it is that's helped keep me alive and happy. Can't thank you enough Rick. You're a genius and a mensch. And if you're not yet in some hall of fame somewhere you damn well should be.

[@diverdave4056]

Layla is a true Master Piece of music ! its one of the few songs that I wished kept playing in a non stop loop

[@matthewnew13]

Absolute classic. Claptons best. Where passion, talent and great band combine for something special.

[@davidvandegaer750]

That Lydian dominant sound reminds me of The Rain Song… definitely a signature sound.

[@ChefRonnieBoy]

“Every little thing she does is magic” has an amazing coda.

[@vladimpaler3498]

My favorite coda is Crime of the Century. I have often thought that during the coda Eric's guitar is expressing the love he feels while Duane's is expressing the tortured pining of it not being returned. The two emotions are intertwined.

[@andrewhammill6148]

I always felt that the coda in this song was basically another song. And Merry Christmas to you and your family Rick.

[@rrdream2400]

it is another song, called "Time" written by Rita Coolige and Jim Gordon which you can find on youtube. The story goes she played the demo for Eric in the studio and he didn't appear interested but ended up using it. Somehow Jim Gordon got all the credit for it.

[@groovelife415]

A video on your daily warmup would be awesome, Rick! I am loving the arpeggio course.

[@ringi1970]

There are three great songs out there, which were written for Pattie Boyd: Something, Layla and Wonderful Tonight. She seemed to be inspiring men at that time

[@HorsepowerHouse]

Inspiring or something else....

[@maryannlockwood7806]

Don’t forget “for you Blue”.

[@handle433]

Old Love!

[@ChristopherHolmgren]

The "speeding" of the song was because the song was recorded at the end of the reel and the piano coda was recorded on a new reel. Both were spliced and "corrected" by Tom Dowd to master the track.

[@yabbadoody]

nice tech note! now that I know this, I've heard it in numerous other songs as well... analog... stuff being maybe 1/2 step out of key. explains a lot, really. maybe also why I love playing in "Blues tunings" so darned much! 😀

[@jerrycostello2373]

I am not a fan of anyone who hasn't progressed more than just repeating the same thing over and over.

[@yabbadoody]

jerrycostello: It’s obviously an analog thing - you wouldn’t understand. 😐

[@jhsams1977]

It was recorded two seperate days.

[@dougrobinson8602]

You just blew my mind. When I was young, it seemed to me that so many songs seemed to change speed ever so slightly. I'd tweak the speed on my turntable to make a portion of a song sound "right" (to my ear, anyway), then the next song I'd play seemed "off". Damn near drove me nuts!

[@johnthigpen3686]

Rick talks about Eric coming up with the theme in the intro/chorus. I remember reading in more than one place that it was Duane who suggested it, and based it on Albert King’s “As The Years ago Passing By”. Eric original vision of the song was as a shuffle similar to the later acoustic version.

[@jaypollock9347]

That’s how I’ve always heard it

[@TheMadManPlace]

At the time Eric was going through a tumultuous time of the heart when this song was created - and it shows. I don't think that ANYTHING was actually "thought out", it all just flowed... from the heart.

[@MattBullard-m9d]

Clapton's playing on the Layla album was off the charts... supreme, heartfelt phrasing. Duane was brilliant but EC's connection to his guitar is unequalled.

[@wheelwells148]

Carl Radle on bass, excellent smooth player 👌

[@stevegamiello6476]

Carl was amazing and THE most under rated bassist in Rock Music History

[@kenfrederick6223]

Certainly one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. This and Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" are at the top of my list.

[@kendebusk2540]

One of the best live music sets I've heard was at Eric's guitar festival in Dallas in 2004. He played Layla and at the end went seamlessly into Cocaine. It was as if they were made for each other! He did a phenomenal job in putting together all those acts.

[@oldman0995]

That Dwayne slide line is of the chart. Bass is killing it. So much passion to the whole thing. I was fortunate enough to see this live along time ago. I still listen to it and get chills. Thx for sharing.

[@stevegamiello6476]

Duane not Dwayne

[@roberttodd3934]

My understanding is that Little Wing was also recorded the same day as Layla. Eric and Duane play unbelievable guitars on that song! It was a tribute to Jimi Hendrix but he died before hearing it.

[@bderrick4944]

Maybe I am a bit confused by your comment, but to my knowledge Hendrix’s Little Wing was recorded and released in 1967 and Layla wasn’t recorded until late 1970, are you referring to a different version I am unaware of?

[@matthewguski5942]

Little Wing is my favorite Jim Gordon track of all time. One of the greatest rock drum songs ever.

[@danielcombs3207]

@@bderrick4944Jimi recorded it originally but it was covered on the Derek and The Dominoes album. Jimi and Eric were friends.

[@Befuddled_Onlooker]

I think Layla is probably the most beautiful song written. Yes, the coda is a moving piece of music.

[@CraigOlove]

Even after 50 years this track makes the hair on my arms stand up, like it was the first time I heard it. This is the song that inspired me to play guitar. In my book the best song ever recorded ..

[@jamescordova1796]

Rick, you bring the spirit of music and creativity into my mind and heart just as much as my favorite music hero's used to in the beginning. You make me love to play music again and you have made me fascinated with music again. Thank you for this channel.

[@vladchimedko402]

This is just amazing insight into the theoretical basics of this remarkable song. Thank you for it.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

As an 70s and 80s rock guy this song is a masterpiece

[@Robert.Averkios.Antonsen]

Great video about an incredible song, good job, Rick! By the way, that Gsus4, Gsus2 etc chord sequence, at the end of the coda, reminds me a bit of the Beatles/ George Harrison's "I need you". Actually some of the chord changes, key changes etc throughout o the song remind me a bit of the way Harrison wrote, which is so ironic, given the whole story behind this legendary song.

[@christopher9152]

Too bad Clapton didn't do a series of albums with this lineup of backing musicians. They were incredible together.

[@rick00770]

I read where Bobby Whitlock said they toured a lot after that, said they were one of the best bands he had ever played with or maybe the best. 😊

[@grindercap]

How well I remember this! All I knew about music was listen to it, feel it, and decide what is best. I thought this was one of the best of all time; I heard it , I felt it, and I thought it had to be one of the best ever. I heard, I felt, and I thought correctly. This is tune is great. Thank you Rick!

[@tomculhane6648]

The opening riff, the urgency in the voices...might be Clapton's best track and album. Love how the intro modulates as the verse begins. There's a story that Jim Gordon "borrowed" the piano coda section from a song by Rita Coolidge and her sister. Not sure of the details but an interesting little side note.

[@TimMaddux]

Gordon was Rita's boyfriend at the time. Her story is backed up by Bobby Whitlock (the keyboardist of Derek and the Dominoes).

[@normanhathaway2275]

It's absolutely true. Search for interviews with her. She tried to get credit and was treated horribly. Take away Rita's bit, and Duane's - is there much that Eric added?

[@nickk8416]

@@TimMaddux Very true. I've heard that from Bobby Whitlock himself.

[@bjr4567]

Sorry you're all wrong, as was Bobby Whitlock. Rita details the actual story in her autobiography. Jim did indeed compose the tune. She was the one who helped to complete it by adding to it. Even though it was his basic riff, she did deserve a co-writing credit, but EC's manager, Robert Stigwood, turned her down (and not EC).

[@tomculhane6648]

Yeah, I feel that Duane was the finishing touch, along with Bobby Whitlock and Carl Radle, that made it a classic album. Rita and her sister sure wrote a beautiful piano part. @@normanhathaway2275

[@thelolguy007]

One of the greatest songs ever written. Definitely one of my all time favourites. Sooo good 🙌🎸🎤

[@bengrillet]

This is yet another record based around the classic relationship between the minor 1st and the major 6th - often or usually linked by the major 7th and frequently descending to the major 5th. High time, Rick, that you did a feature video on the astounding ubiquity of this chord sequence in so many of the most famous and best-selling songs 'of all time' . Right from Beethoven's 5th, through "Hit The Road Jack", "All Along The Watchtower", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Don't Fear the Reaper", the coda in "Stairway to Heaven", "Crazy On You", "Sultans of Swing", "Roxanne", etc, etc. Once you start looking for this pattern, you realise it's just everywhere throughout rock history - and variations of it such as Am, G, F, G, Am, etc , and Am,G, F, E, repeat - as in "Hit The Road Jack" and Davey Graham's "Angie", as covered by Paul Simon and Bert Jansch. There is clearly something about this "hook" that is widely recognised by songwriters and artists

[@Bug_Man_Semo]

Tears in heaven. Not only the best Clapton song but the best song ever written. Period.

[@sn7miller]

I think it was once said that Duane Allmans biggest contribution to the songs he did with Clapton was his slide guitar on Layla. Doesn't get much better than Clapton with Allman

[@swampscott2670]

Horrible. It wrecks an otherwise decent song.

[@Ken-os3wg]

The slide is out of tune and grating….pass….other wise it’s a killer tune

[@brianmcfarland6548]

@@swampscott2670a lot of casuals like yourself think that because you’re too used to over produced modern music. The raw passion of allmans playing is unmatched

[@UTsUTube]

I'm with you on this one Brian! 👏👏👏

[@philipg3372]

The truth is Duane did most all of the guitar heavy lifting on this track. He came up with the iconic lick - which he took from the melody of As The Year's Go Passing By. That's also him playing the fills during the verses and of course the blazing slide work.

[@jacobagee1343]

The opening bar of the first lick is played with open strings, not pulloff/hammer ons. Open A string, then 3rd fret of A string, Open D string, 3rd fret of D string. Great video!!!

[@thomasjefferson3481]

Listen to the anguish in his voice when he sings the name Layla, it sounds like he really means it! What a great song to have Rick take a look at and break down.

[@aziziban4481]

Well, Clapton really meant it! Check out the story behind the song

[@DannyG-cv8so]

Exactly mate. Musicians used to play and sing from the heart, not the wallet, as they do today.

[@pj8624]

Great video! Layla is among the list of my all time favorite songs!!! The lyrics are awesome and Eric sang the song with such passion which you can feel!!! The opening riff lives forever!!!

[@randallpinkfloyd]

I remember I asked for this a bit ago, this is my favorite song of all time

[@rogerramjet6615]

Great song. Clever semitone shift between verse and chorus. An upward semitone shift generally adds energy and gives an uplifting feel. A downward semitone shift generally calms energy and gives a more relaxed feel, so it really works well that the lift comes with the chorus.

[@gregkoelling615]

Jim Gordon was credited for writing the piano outro on Layla at the time but since then Rita Coolidge has been mentioned as the writer of that part. Apparently Gordon and Coolidge were dating back then.

[@rrdream2400]

was just reading about this, listen to the song "Time" by Booker T. and Priscilla Coolidge, it is literally the coda for Layla with lyrics. Rita wrote it with Jim Gordon and she said she played the demo for Eric during the recording sessions and somehow Jim got all the writing credit for it.

[@carlosmanuelbeltranperez104]

That slide outro by Duane is probably the most beautiful and overlooked piece of music ever recorded

[@bruceterrio8171]

Musicians never die, they just fade to coda…

[@TheKnightstar13]

Am an axe swinger, I LOVE !! this chord progression, its awesome

[@benmeltzer]

The wailing Duane part is why it never sounds complete when Eric plays it live without a second lead guitar playrer.

[@aarongoodnow6170]

A major is the pivot chord being the 4 of E major verse section as well as the dominant 5 chord of D minor chorus section

[@ronhudson3730]

Your analysis' are the best. Merry Christmas to you and your family from Canada. 🎅

[@aint_sodumb_52]

You meant "analyses"

[@johncook30284]

This song i have heard so many times i could hear the outro (piano on) without any lyrics and be very happy. I never get tired of it. Happy Christmas everyone. Rick I heard Eric say he had the chord progression before the pull off string part that people relate to most.

[@allenhonaker4107]

The fact that Jim Gordon was a drummer and not a regular piano player is amazing

[@bjr4567]

He was quite at home on the piano, but of course absolutely mastered the sticks.

[@evomink]

During Guns n’ Roses’ first reunion show in Las Vegas, back in April of 2016, Slash and Duff gathered around the piano that Axl was playing and kicked into the “coda” of Layla. Tears just started running down my face... I’d waited 23 years to see them reunite and there was something about the song and that moment that was so magical and will stick with me forever. Wonderful memory.

[@jamesspanglet6702]

Great video Rick! It's always fun to revisit a classic. A guitarist that I've never heard you mention but I would love to see you break down is Leo Kottke.

[@sueayers7065]

Tom Dowd talked about how in the guitar section before the piano coda Eric and Duane were playing above the frets. It's my favorite part of this genius song.

[@markweatherly6782]

Soo sad that Rita Coolidge has never received the credit for the “coda” part of Layla. If you have any doubt please listen to Rita’s song “Time”. Jim Gordon plays it beautifully, but Rita definitely wrote this magnificent piece of music.

[@waltersokil4938]

Thank you Rick. Layla has been my top rock song of all time since it was released! I still perform it in my solo show to this day. I play piano. What I have done is start with the unplugged version finishing with the classic coda for us old timers. This video is my favorite Christmas gift!

[@johnbuterbaughsr.933]

The song that got me playing an electric guitar

[@josephl.2398]

Same

[@delizio37]

Same thing man...love that this song has influenced so many people. It truly makes it special.

[@johnbuterbaughsr.933]

@@delizio37 Just that opening riff ..I knew I had to learn it. Did you know Duane Allman played the tasty slide in the last part of the song ? Another band that had me hooked The Allman Brothers Band Live at the Fillmore East .

[@mr.yellowstrat3352]

The unplugged version inspired me to pick up the acoustic! I play both now and have been gigging for a long time now but I remember the early days

[@johnbuterbaughsr.933]

@@mr.yellowstrat3352 That's a great version too !

[@geraldobrien7323]

The three songs that always remind me of each other as far as having a coda that is different from the beginning of the song are: Layla, Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen, and Moving Out by Billy Joel.

[@michaelmilitello5644]

Tedeschi Trucks did a whole concert at LockN 2019 with Trey Anastasio doing nothing but the whole Layla album. Derek trucks is allegedly named after the band and Susan was born on the very day the Layla album was released.

[@scottferris2686]

I have the triple album of the set - it’s amazing on vinyl

[@giri.goyo_yt]

I would love to see an interview with Trucks! GOAT legend.

[@jturbz1]

Saw Eric in Saint Louis in 2006. Amazing band that night with Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall. The Dominoes songs played that night were unbelievable.

[@Fontsman-14]

Rita Coolidge never got the credit for the coda melody. She was totally ripped off.

[@yesterdayproductions1019]

The first time I heard "Layla" I was driving a car on the freeway and I almost drove the fucking car off the highway I was so TAKEN by the guitar hook. One of my all time favorite songs. The change (which you called the modulation) is very unusual but sounds so smooth and is very ear catching since you don't expect it.

[@andzwe]

Carl Radle (bass) and Jim Gordon (drums); a phenomenal rhythm section. Radle's life and Gordon's career were tragically cut short.

[@RockandRollWoman]

Gordon's story is incredibly tragic. He was never able to stabilize his mental health.

[@andzwe]

@@RockandRollWoman It certainly was. With this video as a reason, I looked up how he was doing, which I did from time to time in the past. Then I found out he passed away in March this year.

[@bjr4567]

You could make a sound argument Jim Gordon was the most accomplished rock drummer in history, with the countless sessions he performed, and the bands he was part of. Clapton stated in his autobiography that Radle and Gordon were the best rhythm section he ever played with during his long and storied career.

[@Novotny72]

yeah let's not forget Gordon killed his mum with a fecking hammer. There are some great drummers out there that, er, don't do things like that.

[@bjr4567]

@@Novotny72 Dude this is such an old tired bit to bring up, please. What does that have to do with his drumming prowess or accomplishments? He slowly succumbed to schizophrenia and it destroyed his life, indeed. But not his musical contributions based on sheer talent and hard work.