After getting his start as the guitarist in The Yardbirds in 1963, and later breaking off on his own to play blues with John Mayall, then joining Cream and Blind Faith before forming Derek and the Dominos by the 1970s, Eric Clapton had already started building his own catalog of songs.
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Along with playing on The Beatles’ White Album classic, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” penned by his friend George Harrison, and his many collaborations—including B.B. King and J. J. Cale—over the decades, Clapton also crafted his own collection of solo hits with “Wonderful Tonight,” “Change the World,” “Lay Down Sally,” “Tears in Heaven,” among others, spanning 20 albums.
And there’s still more to Clapton’s storied songbook.
Here’s a look at three songs Clapton wrote for other artists from the late ’60s through early 1990s.
1. “Comin’ Home,” Delaney & Bonnie and Friends (1969)
Written by Eric Clapton and Bonnie Blamlett
Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett fronted the rock and soul ensemble Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, which included collaborations with George Harrison, Leon Russell, Duane Allman, Dave Mason, and Rita Coolidge, among others.
Clapton also worked with the duo on their song, “Comin’ Home,” which they originally released in 1969. The song was later featured on their 1970 album, On Tour with Eric Clapton and D&G Together, released in 1972.
The couple divorced soon after, ending their musical partnership.
Been out on the road ’bout six months too long
I want you so bad, I can hardly stand it
I’m so tired and I’m all alone
We’ll soon be together and that’s it
I’m comin’ home to your love
2. “Annie,” Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane (1977)
Written by Eric Clapton, Ronnie Lane, Kate Lambert
In 1977, The Who‘s Pete Townshend and late Faces bassist Ronnie Lane (1946-1997) teamed up on a collaborative album, Rough Mix. Initially, Lane called on Townshend to produce his next album, but it soon turned into a full collaboration project.
The album features a collection of songs mostly penned by the duo, or by Townshend and Lane individually, with the exception of their Don Williams cover, ‘Till the Rivers Run All Dry,” and another track Lane co-wrote with Clapton: “Annie.” ‘
Clapton also played on and co-wrote the song “Barcelona” on Lane’s fourth and final solo album, See Me, released in 1979. Lane died in 1997 at the age of 51 due to illness in the final stages of his multiple sclerosis, which he lived with for more than 20 years.
Old oaks stand tall, Annie
Seen the world grow small, Annie
But when they fall, Annie, where will we be
Winter has come, Annie
No strenght in the sun, Annie
And when it’s gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
When all those colors have faded
When ol’ Jack comes to call
Don’t tell them no, tell them maybe
Oh now, Annie, may God bless us all
3. “It’s Probably Me,” Sting (1992)
Written by Eric Clapton, Sting, Michael Kamen
Originally released on the soundtrack to the 1992 action-comedy, Lethal Weapon 3, “It’s Probably Me” peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The original version features Clapton on acoustic and electric guitar.
Sting later rerecorded the song for his fourth solo album, Ten Summoner’s Tales, in 1993.
If the night turned cold
And the stars looked down
And you hug yourself
On the cold, cold ground
You wake the morning
In a stranger’s coat
No one would you see
Ask yourself, ‘Who’d watch for me?
‘My only friend, who could it be?’
It’s hard to say it
I hate to say it
But it’s probably me
Photo by Frank Hoensch / Redferns
