Eric Clapton’s “Layla”: Studio Version 

vs MTV Unplugged

Who Originally Wrote Layla?

Eric Clapton began performing in the US with his band Cream in the 1960s and met drummer Jim Gordon. They formed a new group called Derek and the Dominos and wrote the titular song together in 1970. The Unplugged version of Layla didn't come out until much later.

What Was the Creative Process for Layla?

Layla was inspired by a story of Arab origin and a real-life experience, and was written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison. Duane Allman played a crying bird sound at the end.

Layla: The Studio Version

Layla: The Studio Version, released in 1970, struggled to gain traction due to its length. In 1971, a shortened version of the song began enjoying more radio time, breaking into the top 10 of the Billboard 100 charts and placing seventh on the UK singles chart.

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