Layla

eric clapton (jim gordon)

 

This song, mainly written by Eric Clapton, is from Derek and the Dominos' one and only album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" (1970). The original recording consisted of two parts; the second was composed by drummer Jim Gordon, who also played piano, and added after the first one. Guest artist Duane Allman is told to have had certain influence on the famous guitar riff. But the song exceeded 7 minutes, and was unsuccessful as a single until truncated versions were released. In 1982, Clapton appeared on MTV "Unplugged", and brought the song back to it's origin: a ballad. It introduces the video "The Eric Clapton Concert (Birmingham, England July 1986).
That ballad was inspired by an old persian story "Layla and Majnun" by Nizami Ganjaviby, about tragic and hopeless love. Clapton wrote it to Pattie Boyd, his friend George Harrison's wife at that time. He also wrote "Wonderful Tonight" with Pattie in his mind. Finally he managed to steal her away, but George and Eric remained friends until the end.
The harmonies are ... original, and frankly: the chord progression sassy to arrogant. Still, quite many artists have recorded "Layla". Both London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have made instrumental versions. Sounds like it's composed by Ennio Morricone ...

what'll you do when you get lonely?
and nobody's waiting by your side?
you've been running and hiding much too long
you know it's just your foolish pride

I tried to give you consolation
when your old man had let you down
like a fool I fell in love with you
you've turned my whole world upside down

Let's make the best of the situation
before I finally go insane
please don't say "we'll never find a way"
and tell me all my love's in vain

Layla :
you've got me on my knees Layla :
I'm begging darling please Layla :
darling won't you ease my worried mind

For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.

C#m                          G#7
what'll you do when you get lonely
C#m           C       D       G   ...E7
and nobody's waiting by your side
F#m          B7          E               C#m
you've been running and hiding much too long
A              B7                 E
you know it's just your foolish pride

A   Dm ...Bb
Layla
        C             Dm      Bb  ...C
you've got me on my knees Layla
                      Dm      Bb  ...C
I'm begging darling please Layla
                   Dm              C   (A ... C ... C#m to next)
darling won't you ease my worried mind