Behind the Sun (Eric Clapton album)

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Behind the Sun
Behind the Sun cover
Studio album by Eric Clapton
Released March 1985
Recorded 1984
Genre Blues-rock
Length 49:54
Label Warner Music Group
Producer Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Ted Templeman, Lenny Waronker
Eric Clapton chronology
Money and Cigarettes
(1983)		 Behind the Sun
(1985)		 August
(1986)

Behind the Sun is a 1985 album by the legendary English guitarist Eric Clapton. He named the album like this because of a line in Albert King's "Louisiana Blues". It is also his first collaborative project with Phil Collins. Often referred to as Clapton’s “Comeback album”, it was received very well in both the UK and the US. After nearly a decade of Clapton’s guitar taking a backseat to his singing/songwriting, this album was looked upon for some of his best guitar playing since the Cream era in the 1960s. The single “Forever Man” features Eric playing a scorching guitar solo at full force. The video for “Forever Man” became an MTV favorite, featuring an accident where one of the cameras falls off the dolly. The album is also dressed up with synthesizers played by Peter Robinson & Chris Stainton (Clapton played guitar synthesizers on the 9th track, "Never Make You Cry"). Booker T. & the MG’s bassist, Donald Duck Dunn also played on the sessions.

In his autobiography, Clapton remembers the 1984 session pleasantly: “The whole thing is going so great, I hope it never stops.” However, his troubled marriage with Pattie Boyd became the subject matter for most of his original material: “She’s Waiting”, “Same Old Blues” and “Just Like a Prisoner”, all containing screaming guitar solos by Clapton. It was during this period that Pattie left him “and it was eventually decided that we should have a trial separation.” Clapton assuaged his pain by writing the song “Behind the Sun” featuring only Clapton’s guitar & vocals and Phil Collins’ synthesizer, which became the ending title song to the album.

This was also Slowhand’s first collaboration with songwriter Jerry Lynn Williams. In response to Van Morrison being dropped from Warner Bros. Records, Eric wanted the album to have more hit single material: “They sent me three songs by a Texas songwriter – “Forever Man”, “Something’s Happening” and “See What Love can Do” – and they were good.” The sessions featured Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and drummer Jeff Porcaro, as well as Clapton's long-time collaborators, bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes.

The BEHIND THE SUN tour was also featured at the first Live Aid concert in 1985 where “She’s Waiting” was performed along with “White Room” and “Layla.”

[edit] Track listing

  1. "She's Waiting" – 4:55 (Clapton - Robinson)
  2. "See What Love Can Do" – 3:58 (Jerry Lynn Williams)
  3. "Same Old Blues" – 8:15 (Clapton)
  4. "Knock On Wood" – 3:19 (Floyd - Cropper)
  5. "Something's Happening" – 3:23 (Jerry Lynn Williams)
  6. "Forever Man" – 3:13 (Jerry Lynn Williams)
  7. "It All Depends" – 5:05 (Clapton)
  8. "Tangled In Love" – 4:11 (Levy - Feldman)
  9. "Never Make You Cry" – 6:06 (Clapton)
  10. "Just Like A Prisoner" – 5:29 (Clapton)
  11. "Behind The Sun" – 2:13 (Clapton)

[edit] Charts

Album – Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
1985 The Billboard 200 34

Singles – Billboard (North America)

Year Single Chart Position
1985 "Forever Man" Mainstream Rock Tracks 1
1985 "Forever Man" Billboard Hot 100 26
1985 "See What Love Can Do" Mainstream Rock Tracks 20
1985 "See What Love Can Do" Billboard Hot 100 89
1985 "She's Waiting" Mainstream Rock Tracks 11
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