Eric Clapton Rocks Our World Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cream

"Sunshine of Your Love" is one of Cream's best-known songs, released in 1967 on their album "Disraeli Gears". It was co-written by Jack Bruce, Pete Brown, and Clapton himself. The song's signature riff, played by Bruce and Clapton on bass and guitar respectively, is one of the most recognizable in rock history, blending blues and psych rock influences.

The music of "Sunshine of Your Love" is very bluesy and the tone heavily influenced what 60s rock would sound like. This was eventually called a "woman tone" because of its warm and mellow feel. In the song, Ginger Baker uses his toms heavily and this was inspired by Native American beats.

This song ended up being Cream's most popular song. It reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and made Cream the popular band it was. It was also one of the main reasons that Cream was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a staple of classic rock radio, often cited as one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded.

Answer: Cream

"White Room" is one of Cream's most famous and dramatic songs, released in 1968 as the opening track of their album "Wheels of Fire", though it was actually originally intended for "Disraeli Gears". The music was written by bassist Jack Bruce and the lyrics by Pete Brown, with Eric Clapton, of course, delivering guitar work. The song is known for its haunting atmosphere, poetic lyrics, and its iconic wah-wah-driven solo.

"White Room" is a song about depression and alienation. The "white room" itself was inspired by an actual place, an apartment where Pete Brown had once stayed, while dealing with a difficult period in his life. The song was written in a minor key, further adding to its melancholy tone, while Clapton's use of the wah-wah pedal gives a voice to his guitar that adds depth to the song, especially in the solo.

The song became another hit for Cream, reaching number six on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Cream

"Badge" was the last of Cream's hit songs, released in 1969 on their final studio album, "Goodbye". It was co-written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, another successful collaboration between these two great friends and guitarists. Interestingly, the name of the song is due to a misunderstanding between the two. Harrison had written the word "Bridge" in the sheet music for the song, quite illegibly, allegedly, and Clapton misread it as "Badge". The name stuck, and the word never is sung even once in the entire song.

Clapton played lead guitar on the track, delivering a simple riff that builds on the haunting intro. Although he was not officially credited due to contractual reasons, Harrison played rhythm guitar on the track. The song bridges the gap between Cream's psychedelic blues-rock and the more melodic, structured style that Clapton would explore in his solo career. The song reached number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 - not as successful as some other Cream hits, but still good enough to chart and to be remembered.

Answer: Derek and the Dominos

"Bell Bottom Blues" is one of the standout tracks from Derek and the Dominos' 1970 album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". Written Clapton himself, the song is deeply personal, inspired by his unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, who was married to George Harrison at the time. The lyrics express longing, heartbreak, and a sense of vulnerability as Clapton poured his emotions into the song.

Eric Clapton's relationship with Pattie Boyd is one of the most well-known and tumultuous in rock history. The two first met in 1964 when Boyd was married to George Harrison of The Beatles. Clapton, who was friends with Harrison, fell deeply in love with Boyd, but she remained devoted to her husband. Clapton later confessed his feelings for her - unreciprocated at the time - and this led to a period of intense emotional turmoil for him leading to him writing several songs.

Answer: Derek and the Dominos

"Tell the Truth" is another track from Eric Clapton's 1970 album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs", recorded with Derek and the Dominos. The song is an upbeat, soulful rock tune that stands out on the album for its energy and groove. This was unlike the other hits from that album.

The lyrics of "Tell the Truth" tell a straightforward yet powerful message about honesty and transparency in relationships. Musically, this song is a collaboration between Clapton and a guest appearance by the legendary Duane Allman. He was brought in as a session guitarist for the album after he and Clapton had established a strong rapport having worked together for The Beatles' "Hey Jude". The song's riff is a driving, infectious blues-rock pattern, and the interplay between Clapton's guitar and Allman's slide guitar is phenomenal.

Answer: Derek and the Dominos

"Layla" is arguably Eric Clapton's most iconic song, the centerpiece of the "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" album when Clapton was with Derek and the Dominos. Released in 1970, the song is famous not only for its powerful, emotive guitar work but also for its deeply personal lyrics, which were inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd at the time.

"Layla" is a brilliant fusion of blues, rock, and a bit of classical influence. The song opens with one of the most famous guitar riffs in rock history, played by Clapton and Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. The song's first half is an energetic, riff-driven rock anthem, mirroring the turbulent and fiery emotions that Clapton was feeling when he wrote it. The song then transitions into a slower, more contemplative second section, marked by a piano outro that slowly fades out into a haunting instrumental. This section was actually written by drummer Jim Gordon.

At the time of its release, "Layla" was not a huge commercial success. It later gained traction and has since become one of Clapton's signature songs. In particular, when Clapton performed it for his 1990 album "Unplugged", it took off to new heights. It's a staple of classic rock radio and remains a defining moment in Clapton's career. The song has been praised for its brilliant songwriting, its emotional depth, and its exceptional guitar work. Indeed, it's considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time by many.

Answer: Blind Faith

"Can't Find My Way Home" is a beautiful, melancholic song from the 1969 self-titled album "Blind Faith", which was the short-lived supergroup consisting of Steve Winwood (at the time having just left the band Traffic), Ginger Baker (who was with Cream - which had just broken up), Rick Grech (the bassist from the band Family), and, of course, Eric Clapton (who was in the same boat with Cream as Baker). The song was written by Steve Winwood, who also took the lead vocals and played guitar and keys on it, with Clapton contributing his guitar work to the track.

The music of the song is marked by its folk-rock and blues influence, with a simple yet evocative acoustic guitar riff at its core. The arrangement builds slowly, with a delicate balance of instrumentation: gentle percussion, soulful bass, and Clapton's soul-filled guitar playing. The lyrics talk about the concept of uncertainty, when the storyteller cannot find their way home and is seemingly lost and adrift.

Answer: Blind Faith

"Presence of the Lord" is a powerful and spiritually charged song from Blind Faith's self-titled 1969 album. It was written by Clapton, and he talks about connecting with a higher power and the awe he feels for the divine. It seems that Clapton was feeling especially introspective at the time.

"Presence of the Lord" has a blend of rock and gospel influences. The song starts with a simple, clean guitar riff from Clapton, which gradually builds into a more powerful sound as the song progresses. Clapton's guitar is on fire as he progresses into his solo, one of the best guitar solos I've ever heard. The organ played by Winwood adds credence to the lyrics as his vocals take the song to a higher plane.

Despite this album being the first time that Clapton and Winwood had worked together, the musical chemistry that the two of them discovered made Blind Faith a very powerful supergroup. This partnership would continue throughout the decades.

Answer: Blind Faith

"Sea of Joy" is the final track on Blind Faith's 1969 album, and it stands out as one of the band's most compelling songs. It was penned by Steve Winwood and rounds out the group's album very well, highlighting all of the successful elements that came in the songs before it.

Emotional release and transcendence are the main themes for this song. While the overarching theme for the album was soul-searching, in this song, the soul seems to have been found. The guitar work by Clapton is warm and inviting, and it gradually builds throughout the song. Along with the vocals by Winwood, the song complements the drumming by Baker and the bass by Grech.

Despite Blind Faith's relatively brief existence, the music they created was (retrospectively) seen as a milestone in rock music. Clapton and Winwood worked well together, but Clapton had mixed feelings about the direction that the music was going and left, guiltily. All four members had successful careers after the band though a reunion was never in the cards.

Answer: Yardbirds

"Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" is a blues song originally written by Sonny Boy Williamson (the second). The song was first recorded in 1937, but it became famous in the 1960s when The Yardbirds, with Eric Clapton on guitar, recorded a version in 1964.

Clapton's version is one of the earliest examples of his distinctive blues-infused guitar playing. The song, with its slow and moody rhythm, is about a man who is infatuated with a young girl, a theme that has led to some controversy due to the perceived inappropriate nature of the lyrics. Musically, The Yardbirds' version of the song is a classic example of their fusion of blues and rock. Clapton's guitar work stands out, using a clean, sharp tone that was well on the way to becoming his signature sound. The arrangement is minimalistic but effective, leaving room for Clapton's solos to really be effective. It's one of the earliest songs that showcases Clapton's raw ability to bring blues guitar into the rock mainstream.

Answer: Yardbirds

"I Wish You Would" is a song originally written and recorded by blues legend Billy Boy Arnold in 1955. The song was covered by The Yardbirds in 1964, with Eric Clapton on guitar during the band's early days. Clapton's version of "I Wish You Would" is an energetic, blues-infused rock track which would later become his preferred sound.

The music of the song is driven by a lively rhythm, with Clapton's bluesy guitar riff stealing the show. His playing is sharp and intense, and he delivers the solo with a raw energy that perfectly captures the feeling of yearning. The interplay between Clapton's guitar and the rest of The Yardbirds, particularly the rhythm section, helps propel the song forward.

Answer: Yardbirds

"For Your Love" is one of The Yardbirds' most famous songs, released in 1965. Written by Graham Gouldman (who later became a member of 10cc), the song marked a turning point for the band, pushing them from their raw blues roots into a more commercial, pop-oriented direction. This shift in style ultimately led to Eric Clapton leaving the band; he felt they were moving away from pure blues, a style which he was passionate about. It became his last song with them.

The song is distinctive for its use of a harpsichord which gave the song an eerie yet classic feel. The song's structure is also unusual for what the Yardbirds had done before, with a dramatic stop-start rhythm and a tension-filled build-up leading into the chorus. The lyrics express deep emotion, with the narrator willing to go to great lengths "for your love".

The song became the Yardbirds' biggest hit at that point. It reached number two on the UK charts, but this frustrated Clapton even more as he felt that the band had strayed from their origins. It had overseas success and became a defining song of the 1960s British Invasion. It remains one of The Yardbirds' most recognized tracks.

Clapton, himself, recommended his own replacement - Jeff Beck. At that point, Beck had had some minor success in the UK, but as the lead guitarist of the Yardbirds, he propelled them in a new direction and era. When Beck left, Jimmy Page, always peripherally involved with the band, took over. He changed most of the lineup, and renamed the group The New Yardbirds. The name, however, did not stick. So, what name did he end up going with? You guessed it... Led Zeppelin.

Answer: As a solo artist

"Wonderful Tonight" is one of Eric Clapton's most beloved ballads, released in 1977 on his album "Slowhand". It is a ballad, written by Clapton and inspired by his girlfriend and future wife, Pattie Boyd. Clapton wrote the song while waiting for Boyd to get ready for a party hosted by Paul and Linda McCartney. As she was taking her time choosing an outfit, Clapton sat with his guitar and began strumming the now-famous melody. The lyrics reflect his admiration for her beauty and the deep affection he felt in that moment. He dedicated the song to her the day after they married at a concert, pulling her onto the stage.

The lyrics are straightforward and sincere, describing a man admiring his partner as they go out together. Clapton's delivery is soft and intimate, making the song feel deeply personal, as it actually was. His guitar work is soft and comforting, mirroring his feelings exquisitely.

The song was a big hit, and reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It receives airplay constantly and is a celebrated love song despite the tumultuous relationship that Boyd and Clapton had. Had it not been for Clapton's substance addiction, perhaps the two would have stayed together.

Answer: As a solo artist

"Change the World" is one of Eric Clapton's most successful and widely recognized songs from his later career. It was written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick, and originally performed by Wynona Judd in 1996. Later that year, Clapton re-recorded it for the soundtrack of the movie "Phenomenon". It became a worldwide success and reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 (but it did hit number one in Canada). His version, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, went on to win numerous awards.

The song is essentially a love song where the person would change the entire world to be with the one he loves. It's about overcoming obstacles, and the desire that is necessary in order to achieve your dream. Clapton showcased this intimacy by using an acoustic guitar for the arrangement, making the music elegant yet warm. Clapton's voice also mirrors the guitar and is sweet and smooth which fills the listener with longing.

The song won three Grammy awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Despite departing from his blues-rock niche, Clapton managed to create a huge hit.

Answer: As a solo artist

"Tears in Heaven" is one of Eric Clapton's most emotional and deeply personal songs, written in response to the tragic death of his four-year-old son, Conor, in 1991. It was released in 1992 as part of the soundtrack for the film "Rush" and later included in his "Unplugged" album. The song became one of Clapton's biggest hits and is my personal favourite. It is moving, open, and honest, and expresses the feelings of grief and loss, but also hope, in a beautiful way.

A bit of background, however... Eric Clapton had a son outside of his marriage with Lory Del Santo, an Italian actress. Clapton was in and out of his son's life, and Del Santo was living in New York City when the tragedy occurred. Apparently, the cleaning lady left the massive window in Del Santo's 53rd-floor apartment wide open, and Conor, the playful child that he was, ran into the room and plummeted to his death onto the roof of the adjacent four-story building. Clapton happened to be in New York at the time and was in shock when he arrived on the scene.

In dealing with his own personal grief, Clapton wanted to make a song that was universal and could assist others with dealing with their own grief too. The song was jointly written by Clapton and Will Jennings, the lyrics are poignant and the music melancholy but sweet. The use of an acoustic guitar really enhances these feelings.

"Tears in Heaven" became one of Clapton's most successful songs, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and winning three Grammy Awards in 1993: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The re-release on the "Unplugged" album, was stripped down and even more intimate, and boosted the song's success. However, Clapton stopped playing the song in 2004 citing that the need for dealing with his grief was over and he did not want to revisit that memory again. Nevertheless, it remains one of his best-loved songs.