The Heartbreaking Story Behind Derek & the Dominos’ ‘Layla’
Derek & the Dominos’ hit song “Layla” is a timeless classic that has remained popular for decades. However, what many people don’t know is the heartbreaking story behind it. The song was inspired by a love triangle between guitarist Eric Clapton, his friend George Harrison, and Harrison’s wife, Patti Boyd. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the meaning behind the song and the events that inspired it.
The Love Triangle
In the late 1960s, Patti Boyd was married to George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Eric Clapton, who was good friends with Harrison, had started to develop feelings for Boyd. As he spent more time with her, he realized that he was in love with her.
Clapton’s love for Patti was unrequited, and he dealt with this unrequited love by writing songs about her. He even went as far as writing the famous ballad “Bell Bottom Blues” for Boyd. However, he still couldn’t shake his feelings for her.
‘Layla’ – An Ode to Unrequited Love
In 1970, Clapton formed the band, Derek & the Dominos, and recorded their debut album, “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” which included the hit song “Layla.”
The song captures the intense emotions Clapton was feeling at the time. The opening of the song features a haunting guitar riff that is immediately recognizable, followed by the iconic chorus:
“Layla, you’ve got me on my knees
Layla, I’m begging darling please
Layla, darling won’t you ease my worried mind”
It’s a desperate plea for Boyd to return his feelings and a reflection of the unrequited love he felt for her. The song’s lyrics are filled with longing and heartache, making it a universal anthem for anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited love.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
In a 1992 interview with Vanity Fair, Boyd revealed that after hearing “Layla” for the first time, she realized that Clapton had written the song about her.
“It was the most powerful, passionate love song I’d ever heard,” Boyd said. “The song was obviously about forbidden love, and perhaps it was Eric’s way of telling me how he felt.”
Despite the fact that Boyd was flattered by the attention, she stayed with Harrison. However, the love triangle between Clapton, Harrison, and Boyd inspired several other classic songs, including the Beatles’ “Something,” which Harrison wrote about Boyd, and Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” which he wrote about Boyd many years later after they got married.
Legacy of ‘Layla’
“Layla” has become synonymous with unrequited love and has been covered by countless musicians over the years. In a 2004 interview with BBC radio, Clapton revealed that he still plays the song at almost every concert he performs.
“I play it every time because people ask me to play it,” Clapton said. “It’s probably one of the best-known songs that I’ve played.”
The song has also been featured in several movies and TV shows and has been used in countless commercials and advertising campaigns.
In Conclusion
“Layla” is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. Its haunting guitar riff and powerful lyrics continue to resonate with audiences around the world. While the story that inspired it may be heartbreaking, the song still serves as a testament to the power of unrequited love and the universal emotions it can evoke in all of us.
