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Eric Clapton is the only musician to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of Cream and the Yardbirds. He is one of the best guitarists of all time and some might even say, a genius. Today, we’re going to learn a thing or two about how to play the guitar by taking a look at some of Eric Clapton’s most popular songs. Here are (in our humble opinions) the six best Eric Clapton songs for you to play on guitar at home.
6. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Wonderful Tonight may not be a guitar masterpiece, but it’s a perfectly simple song that is going to impress every girl/boy you will ever play this to. This song is about arriving at a party with the most beautiful woman on Earth and it has been a massively popular wedding hit for decades. This song was written in 1976 by Clapton for his girlfriend Pattie Boyd.
5. Cocaine by Eric Clapton
Released in 1977, on the album Slowhand, Cocaine is one of those songs that require no introduction. The title says it all and there’s no need to take a look at the lyrics. Although the song is a bit too slow for what you would expect a song about cocaine to be. The guitar in this one is smooth, yet strong. Clapton managed to once again create a guitar masterpiece.
4. Badge by Cream
Taken from Cream’s last album, Goodbye (1969), Badge reveals a smooth, but young Eric Clapton. You can even tell this one was co-written with George Harrison, who also plays guitar on it. As soon as the solo kicks in, Clapton turns into the God that he is and delights the ears of humanity for eternity with a 30-second solo. This famous song is great if you’re just starting out learning to play the guitar and your love for Clapton is at the very beginning.
3. Let it Rain by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton’s solo album was released in 1970 and Let it Rain features two accomplished musicians and their solos: Stephen Stills and Clapton. Stills is busy with the solo in the middle, while Clapton rocks the outro solo. Did you know that one of the guitars he used for this album was Brownie, Clapton’s much beloved Fender Stratocaster?
2. Presence of the Lord by Blind Faith
British super group Blind Faith consisted of Eric Clapton on guitar, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. Their eponymous album released in 1969 was their only album, but it managed to produce a plethora of amazing songs. Presence of the Lord is one of those amazing songs that will teach you a few things about how to play the guitar and how to be a rock star.
1. Crossroads by Cream
Taken from the 1968 album, Wheels of Fire, Crossroads is a song that will definitely be song that is going teach you a lot about playing guitar. Take some time to analyze it well and then search for tutorials on YouTube to find out how to achieve that spicy and incendiary solo sound. Crossroads is in any top ten list of best Eric Clapton songs.
Other Eric Clapton popular songs, which are great for guitar include: Layla, Tears In Heaven, Crying Christmas Tears and most of his unplugged or acoustic songs. Eric Clapton has played a plethora of genres, but he is an ultimate God when it comes to blues and psychedelic rock. What is your favorite Eric Clapton song for guitar? Care to share it with us?
