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With a career spanning 61 years, Eric Clapton has established himself as a musical powerhouse, leaving a lasting impact on the rock music scene. As a 77-year-old English singer, songwriter, and guitarist, his talents have earned him numerous accolades, including a spot in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, where he proudly ranks second. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest music contributors in the world, amassing an impressive collection of awards including 4 Ivor Novello Awards, 18 Grammy awards, a Brit Award, a CBE, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thrice, and with over 280 million solo records sold worldwide, he is considered the best-selling musician of all time. In this piece, let's take a closer look at his top 10 best-selling songs based on units sold.
White Room - 1968 (200,000 Units)
Via Flickr/DiscogsOne of the most famous songs of Eric’s entire career, White Room, was written during his time with Cream in 1968. It was released in the Wheels of Fire album, which was a double album, and its success was mind-blowing. The album topped the charts, and White Room was one of the album's most popular tracks, selling 200 thousand units. The song's play across classic radio is about forty billion times since its release, which is a testament to the timeless appeal of the song.
I Shot the Sheriff - 1974 (1 Million Units)
Via Flickr/Stereogum This was first released by Jamaican singer Bob Marley in 1973, a year later, Eric jumped on it to remake it in his album 461 Ocean Boulevard. The success was massive as it hit US number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in no time and was even inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame with over 1 million units sold worldwide.
Tearing Us Apart - 1985 (1 Million Units)
Via Wikimedia CommonsWarner Bros released Eric Clapton’s 10th album August in 1985 as Clapton’s first collaborative album that was co-produced by the famous Phill Collins. The album produced the hit single August with excellent performance on the charts, this song has over 1 million units sold worldwide.
Crossroads - 1988 (1.1 Million Units)
The Cover Picture Of Crossroads and Its CDsWith over one million units sold, Crossroads is another Clapton song that became a remarkable success as it was ranked one of the greatest songs of all time in 2021 by Rolling Stone. The song was a remake of the legendary blues man Robert Johnson’s Crossroads which was first released in 1936. 50 years later, a remake of the same song became a worthy career achievement for Eric Clapton.
Ain’t Gonna Stand for It - 2001 (1.5 Million Units)
Via Flickr/Discogs Eric Clapton's 14th solo album, Reptile, features the hit song Ain’t Gonna Stand for It, originally released by Stevie Wonder in 1980. The song's success was undeniable as it climbed the international charts and sold a staggering 1.5 million units worldwide, solidifying Clapton's reputation as a masterful musician with a keen ear for hit songs.
Come on in My Kitchen - 2004 (2.5 Million Units)
Via Wikimedia CommonsEric Clapton continues to impress with his musical versatility, and Me and Mr. Johnson is no exception. This 15th album of his is a tribute to the legendary American singer Robert Johnson, featuring remakes of his songs including Come on in My Kitchen. Released in 2004, the song was a commercial hit, climbing to the top 10 of international charts and selling a staggering 2.5 million units. It's a testament to Clapton's skill as a musician and his ability to breathe new life into classic songs, making them relevant for a modern audience.
Wonderful Tonight - 1977 (4 Million Units)
Via Flickr/DiscogsThis has sold over 4 million copies since its release. It is regarded as Clapton’s best-selling single and it was in the album Slowhand which was Eric Clapton’s 5th full-length album released in 1977. The album was named after Eric’s nickname and it is regarded as one of his most commercially successful albums, selling 4 million units worldwide. The second hit single in this album is Lay Down Sally and it performed just as well as Wonderful Tonight.
My Father’s Eyes - 1998 (4.5 Million Units)
Via Wikimedia Commons The album Pilgrim is Eric Clapton’s 13th solo album which he released in 1998. It is his first new material album in 5 years since his hit album JourneyMan. My Father’s Eyes made it into the top 10 in 22 countries and recorded commercial success with over 4.5 million units sold.
It Hurts Me too - 1994 (5.5 Million Units)
Via Flickr/DiscogsThis was part of his 1994 album From the Cradle which was Eric Clapton’s 12th solo album which was produced under the Warner Bros and Duck Labels in 1994. This was his first all-blues album featuring his blues It Hurts Me Too and it occupied top positions on the charts both internationally and at the national level with a total of over 5.5 million units sold.
Tears in Heaven - 1992 (26 Million Units)
Via Wikimedia CommonsTears in Heaven is a song in Eric Clapton’s live album Unplugged. The song is termed a 1992 success and its album won 3 Grammy awards after being acknowledged as the best-selling live album of all time with over 26 million units sold worldwide. Surprisingly, this is a song Eric Clapton wrote about the unfortunate death of his four-year-old son.
Sources: Rolling Stone, The Top Tens, Smooth Radio, Discotech
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