Bell Bottom Blues (Derek and the Dominos song)

Last updated
"Bell Bottom Blues"
Bell bottom blues by eric clapton 1972 US single side-A.png
One of side-A labels of the 1972 US single
Single by Derek and the Dominos
from the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Released1971
Recorded2 September 1970, Criteria Studios, Miami
Genre
Length5:01
3:10 (single version)
Label Polydor (UK), Atco (USA)
Songwriter(s) Eric Clapton
Bobby Whitlock
Producer(s) Tom Dowd
Derek and the Dominos singles chronology
"Tell the Truth"
(1970)		"Bell Bottom Blues"
(1971)		"Layla"
(1971)

"Bell Bottom Blues" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock, [2] and performed by Derek and the Dominos. It dealt with Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend George Harrison, and appeared on the 1970 double album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs . Issued as a single, backed with "Keep on Growing", the song reached number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. [3] [4] A re-release backed with "Little Wing" peaked at number 78 on the same chart. [3]

Contents

Background and recording

"Bell Bottom Blues" was recorded before Duane Allman joined the recording sessions for the Layla album, so Clapton was the only guitarist on the song. [1] [5] [6] Clapton compensated for this by playing multiple guitar parts, including a sensitive, George Harrison-style guitar solo and chime-like harmonics. [1] [7] [8] The other musicians on the recording were Bobby Whitlock on Hammond organ, Carl Radle on bass and percussion, and Jim Gordon on drums, including tabla and backwards snare. [1] [9] Whitlock also sang occasional harmony vocals. [6] [9]

Composition

Bell-bottoms are a style of trousers that were popular at the time. According to Clapton, the song was written for Pattie Boyd after she asked him to get her a pair of bell-bottom blue jeans from the United States. [10] Clapton wrote the song for her, along with many others on the album such as "I Looked Away" and "Layla". [10] The lyrics described a lovers' quarrel. [6] Bill Janovitz of AllMusic noted the raw anguish in Clapton's voice in the pre-chorus and chorus:

Do you wanna see me crawl across the floor to you?
Do you wanna hear me beg you to take me back?
I'd gladly do it because I don't wanna fade away
Give me one more day, please
I don't wanna fade away
In your heart I wanna stay

contrasted with the somber longing expressed in Clapton's voice in the verses:

Bell bottom blues
You made me cry
I don't wanna lose this feeling
If I could choose a place to die
It would be in your arms. [1]

Author Jan Reid also praised Clapton's singing on the song, noting that his phrasing managed to suggest that despite the pain he is feeling, the woman's antics remind him of the "joy of just being alive". [6]

In their song "Soul Survivor," from the album Exile on Main St. , released in 1972, the Rolling Stones sing, "I got the bell-bottom blues."

Songwriting credit

The writing of the song was originally credited to Eric Clapton alone, but is now jointly credited to Clapton and Bobby Whitlock. Whitlock stated in an interview in 2011 that "Eric started the song ... He played me the first two verses at his house and I helped with the last verse", and that it was credited to Clapton alone by a "clerical error". [11] In 2015, in an interview by Mike Rossi for Facio Create, Whitlock stated that Clapton had now formally accepted that Whitlock had contributed, and in future the song would be jointly credited. [12] The BMI website now credits both writers. [2]

Reception

In a review upon the album's release, Rolling Stone writer Ed Leimacher called "Bell Bottom Blues" (as well as "Have You Ever Loved a Woman") filler. [6] Cash Box described the song as "a progressive ballad that should see powerful top forty reception" and as being "instrumentally enticing and surprisingly melodic." [13] Record World said it was "soulful and subtle, not unlike George Harrison's latest." [14] Billboard said "Eric Clapton's rocking blues ballad, served up in an emotion packed vocal workout is a winner headed for a high Hot 100 spot. [15] A retrospective of the album in Rolling Stone praised the song as an epic that "feels as if it's going to shatter from the heat of its romantic agony". [16] AllMusic critic Bill Janovitz admired both Clapton's guitar playing and his anguished vocal performance. [1] In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide , J. D. Considine cited the track as an example of how Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is "about the transformation of the blues, a process Clapton and his bandmates manage through a variety of means", adding that the song "distills the pop-blues approach of Blind Faith and Cream into a memorable chorus and exquisite metaphor". [17]

Adaptations

Cher recorded "Bell Bottom Blues" on her 1975 album, Stars . Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs covered the song on their 2009 album, Under the Covers, Vol. 2 . [18] Bruce Springsteen borrowed the line "I don't wanna fade away" from "Bell Bottom Blues", for his 1980 song "Fade Away". [19] Lady Gaga referenced the title in her song "Dope", where she sang "I'm sorry and I love you, sing with me, 'Bell Bottom Blue'."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek and the Dominos</span> English–American blues-rock band

Derek and the Dominos was an English–American blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by singer-guitarist Eric Clapton, keyboardist-singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. All four members had previously played together in Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, during and after Clapton's brief tenure with Blind Faith. Dave Mason supplied additional lead guitar on early studio sessions and played at their first live gig. Another participant at their first session as a band was George Harrison, the recording for whose album All Things Must Pass marked the formation of Derek and the Dominos.

<i>Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs</i> 1970 studio album by Derek and the Dominos

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is the only studio album by the English–American rock band Derek and the Dominos, released on 9 November 1970 as a double album by Polydor Records and Atco Records. It is best known for its title track, "Layla", which is often regarded as Eric Clapton's greatest musical achievement. The other band members were Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon, and Carl Radle (bass). Duane Allman played lead and slide guitar on 11 of the 14 songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Layla</span> 1970 song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon

"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally recorded with their band Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). Its contrasting movements were composed separately by Clapton and Gordon. The piano part has also been controversially credited to Rita Coolidge, Gordon's girlfriend at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Gordon (musician)</span> American musician, session drummer, and songwriter (1945–2023)

James Beck Gordon was an American musician, songwriter, and convicted murderer. Gordon was a session drummer in the late 1960s and 1970s and was the drummer in the blues rock supergroup Derek and the Dominos.

<i>The History of Eric Clapton</i> 1972 compilation album by Eric Clapton

The History of Eric Clapton is a compilation double LP, released in 1972 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom, and Atco Records in the United States. It features Eric Clapton performing in various bands between 1964 and 1970, including The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos.

<i>Live at the Fillmore</i> (Derek and the Dominos album) 1994 live album by Derek and the Dominos

Live at the Fillmore is a live double album by Derek and the Dominos, recorded in two performances in October 1970 at the Fillmore East and released on 22 February 1994. It includes live material previously released on the In Concert album, live material previously released on Eric Clapton's Crossroads box set, and several previously unreleased numbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Whitlock</span> American singer, songwriter and musician (born 1948)

Robert Stanley Whitlock is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, with Eric Clapton, in 1970–71. Whitlock's musical career began with Memphis soul acts such as Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the M.G.'s before he joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends in 1968. His association with Delaney & Bonnie bandmate Clapton led to Whitlock's participation in sessions for George Harrison's 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass, in London, and the formation of Derek and the Dominos that year. On the band's sole studio album, the critically acclaimed Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Whitlock wrote or co-wrote seven of the album's fourteen tracks, including "Tell the Truth", "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delaney & Bonnie</span> American husband and wife music duo

Delaney & Bonnie was an American duo of singer-songwriters Delaney Bramlett and Bonnie Bramlett. In 1969 and 1970, they fronted a rock/soul ensemble, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, whose members at different times included Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock, Dave Mason, Steve Howe, Rita Coolidge, and King Curtis.

<i>On Tour with Eric Clapton</i> 1970 live album by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends

On Tour with Eric Clapton is a 1970 album by Delaney & Bonnie with Eric Clapton, recorded live at the Fairfield Halls, England. Released on Atco Records, it peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 in April 1970, at No. 39 on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified a gold record by the RIAA.

<i>Blues</i> (Eric Clapton album) 1999 compilation album by Eric Clapton

Blues is a blues rock compilation album by Eric Clapton released in 1999. The release features songs from Clapton's 1970s RSO albums, as well as some unreleased material from the same era. The second disc features live recordings.

<i>The Layla Sessions: 20th Anniversary Edition</i> 1990 box set by Derek and the Dominos

The Layla Sessions: 20th Anniversary Edition released September 1990 is an anniversary remix of the 1970 Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs album by Derek and the Dominos. The album contains the original album, remixed to improve audio quality, and, in the 3-CD edition, two extra discs of unused alternate and incomplete masters of the original songs and studio jamming. The box set was designed by Mitchell Kanner.

<i>The Cream of Clapton</i> 1995 greatest hits album by Eric Clapton

The Cream of Clapton is an Eric Clapton compilation album released in 1995. Additionally, the European and U.S.-versions have a different track listings. The European version had already been released as The Best of Eric Clapton in 1991, though without the track "I Can't Stand It".

<i>In Concert</i> (Derek and the Dominos album) 1973 live album by Derek and the Dominos

In Concert is a live double album, recorded by Derek and the Dominos in October 1970 at the Fillmore East and released January 1973.

<i>Eric Clapton at His Best</i> 1972 greatest hits album by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton at His Best is a two-LP compilation of Eric Clapton's work after he left his earlier band Cream, released in September 1972. It was concurrently released with a two-LP compilation of Cream tracks, Heavy Cream, along with "at His Best" solo retrospectives by Cream's other members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out</span> Early blues standard written by Jimmie Cox

"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" is a blues standard written by pianist Jimmie Cox in 1923 and originally performed in a Vaudeville-blues style in the aftermath of the 1920–1921 U.S. economic depression. A later 1929 recording by Bessie Smith became popular during the early years of the Great Depression due to the lyrics highlighting the fleeting nature of material wealth and the friendships that come and go with it. Since Smith's 1929 recording, the song has been interpreted by numerous musicians in a variety of styles.

<i>Bobby Whitlock</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Bobby Whitlock

Bobby Whitlock is the debut solo album by American songwriter and rock musician Bobby Whitlock, released in early 1972. The album features all of the former members of Derek and the Dominos – Whitlock, Eric Clapton, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon – although never all together. Other contributors include George Harrison, the sessions for whose 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass had led to the formation of the Dominos; Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett; and ex-Manfred Mann bassist Klaus Voormann.

"Tell the Truth" is a song by the English–American band Derek and the Dominos, released in 1970 as the eighth track on their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The song was composed primarily by keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, with guitarist Eric Clapton adding the last verse. The band recorded the track at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida in August 1970, with Tom Dowd as their producer.

<i>Clapton</i> (1973 album) 1973 compilation album by Eric Clapton

Clapton is a 1973 compilation album of Eric Clapton's early solo work. It was the second of two such compilations that Polydor Records would issue; the first, Eric Clapton at His Best, was released in late 1972.

"Anyday" is a song written by British rock guitarist and singer Eric Clapton and American singer-songwriter Bobby Whitlock for the Derek and the Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs which was released in 1970. It was written at Clapton’s home when the two of them were playing guitar in different tunings. Open D was the one they chose. Over the years, the tune was newly interpreted by both Clapton and Whitlock who also released their takes on the song on both studio and live albums in 2003 and 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got to Get Better in a Little While</span> 2011 single by Derek and the Dominos

"Got to Get Better in a Little While" is a rock song written by the British rock guitarist and singer Eric Clapton for his work with the band Derek and the Dominos. The song was originally recorded in the studio for the planned release of a second Derek and the Dominos album. Instead, the song first appeared in a live version on the 1973 live album In Concert. The song was released on Clapton's solo 1988 compilation Crossroads and later appeared on the band's album Live at the Fillmore in 1994.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Janovitz, Bill. "Bell Bottom Blues". AllMusic . Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  2. 1 2 Bell Bottom Blues, Archive.is, retrieved 17 March 2017
  3. 1 2 "Eric Clapton Charts and Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  4. ↑ Jancik, W. (1998). The Billboard book of one-hit wonders. Billboard Books. p. 314. ISBN   978-0-8230-7622-2.
  5. ↑ Schumacher, Michael (2003). Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton. Citadel Press. pp. 148–50. ISBN   978-0-8065-2466-5.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Reid, Jan (2006). Layla and other assorted love songs, Derek and the Dominos. Rodale. pp. 123–26. ISBN   978-1-59486-369-1.
  7. ↑ Shaprio, Harry (1992). Eric Clapton: lost in the blues. Da Capo Press. p. 119. ISBN   978-0-306-80480-9.
  8. ↑ Roberty, Marc (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Eric Clapton. Omnibus Press. p. 52. ISBN   0-7119-4305-2.
  9. 1 2 Whitlock, Bobby & Roberty, Marc (2010). Bobby Whitlock: A Rock 'n' Roll Autobiography. MaFarland. p. 94. ISBN   978-0-7864-5894-3.
  10. 1 2 Clapton, Eric (2007). Eric Clapton: The Autobiography. Century. p. 127. ISBN   978-1-84605-160-9.
  11. ↑ Dow, Mike (7 September 2011). "Bobby Whitlock: Dominos, drugs, death and deliverance". themainedge.com. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Rossi, Mike (5 November 2015). "Facio Create talks with Bobby Whitlock, Founding Member of Derek and the Dominos". FacioCreate. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. January 23, 1971. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  14. ↑ "Single Product" (PDF). Record World. January 23, 1971. p. 236. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  15. ↑ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. January 23, 1971. p. 70. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  16. ↑ DeCurtis, Anthony (27 January 2005). "Derek and the Dominos: Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  17. ↑ DeCurtis, A.; Henke, J.; George-Warren, H., eds. (1992). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (3rd ed.). Random House. p. 193. ISBN   978-0-679-73729-2.
  18. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Under the Covers, Vol. 2". AllMusic . Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  19. ↑ Kirkpatrick, R. (2007). The Words and Music of Bruce Springsteen . Praeger. p.  75. ISBN   978-0-275-98938-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.