Released: November 9, 1970

Songwriter: Rita Coolidge Jim Gordon Eric Clapton

Producer: Derek and the Dominos Tom Dowd

[Opening Instrumental Riff]

[Verse 1]
What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side
You've been running and hiding much too long
You know it's just your foolish pride

[Chorus]
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind

[Verse 2]
I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down
Like a fool, I fell in love with you
Turned my whole world upside down

[Chorus]
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind

[Verse 3]
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain

[Chorus 2X]
Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind

[Instrumental Outro]

Derek and the Dominos

Derek and the Dominos were a blues rock jam band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton, keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. They had previously played together in Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. Dave Mason supplied additional lead guitar on early studio sessions and played at their first live gig.

The band released only one studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The album went on to receive critical acclaim, but initially faltered in sales and in radio airplay. Although released in 1970 it was not until March 1972 that the album’s single “Layla” (a tale of unrequited love inspired by Clapton’s relationship with his friend George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd) made the top ten in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album, which has received praise from critics and fans alike, is often considered to be the defining achievement of Clapton’s career.