"Layla" is the defining song by Derek and the Dominos, released in 1970 as the thirteenth track on their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Written by Eric Clapton and drummer Jim Gordon, the song is celebrated as one of the greatest rock tracks of all time, famed for its passionate guitar work, emotional intensity, and its two-part structure—a searing rock anthem followed by a haunting piano coda12.
Inspiration and Meaning
The song was inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, who was then married to his close friend George Harrison of The Beatles. Clapton was deeply moved by the Persian love story Layla and Majnun (by Nizami Ganjavi), which tells of a man driven to madness by unattainable love. This story, combined with Clapton's own romantic turmoil, fueled the song’s desperate, yearning lyrics and emotional delivery13425.
Musical Structure and Recording
- First Section: Opens with one of rock’s most iconic guitar riffs, devised by Duane Allman, who joined the sessions and brought a slide guitar brilliance that propelled the track’s intensity. Clapton and Allman’s intertwining guitars, along with Clapton’s raw vocals, drive the song’s first half45.
- Second Section (Piano Coda): The song transitions into a lyrical, melancholic piano piece composed by Jim Gordon (with some controversy over possible input from Rita Coolidge, Gordon’s girlfriend at the time). The coda provides a sense of resolution and emotional release, contrasting the urgency of the first half12.
Band and Production
Derek and the Dominos was formed by Clapton with Carl Radle (bass), Jim Gordon (drums), and Bobby Whitlock (keyboards), all former members of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. The addition of Duane Allman during the recording sessions at Criteria Studios in Miami was pivotal—his slide guitar work is essential to the song’s sound35.
Reception and Legacy
Initially, "Layla" was not a major commercial success, but it grew in stature over time, becoming a classic rock staple and earning widespread acclaim. It is often ranked among the greatest rock songs ever recorded, landing at No. 27 on Rolling Stone’s "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." The song’s guitar solo is regularly cited among the best in rock history12.
A stripped-down acoustic version by Clapton for MTV Unplugged in 1992 brought the song renewed popularity, earning a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 19931.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Derek and the Dominos |
| Album | Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) |
| Writers | Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon |
| Inspiration | Clapton’s love for Pattie Boyd; Layla and Majnun legend |
| Notable Musicians | Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Jim Gordon, Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle |
| Structure | Two contrasting sections: rock anthem + piano coda |
| Legacy | Rock classic, Rolling Stone #27, Grammy-winning acoustic version |
Summary
"Layla" is a passionate declaration of doomed love, its searing guitars and unforgettable melody capturing the agony and ecstasy of desire. The collaboration between Clapton and Allman, the song’s literary inspiration, and its unique two-part structure have made it a timeless classic and a touchstone for generations of rock fans13425.
