No Alibis
| "No Alibis" | |
|---|---|
 Australian single cover | |
| Single by Eric Clapton | |
| from the album Journeyman | |
| B-side | "Running on Faith" |
| Released | March 1990 |
| Genre | Blues/rock |
| Length |
5:32 album 4:04 single edit |
| Label | Reprise Records |
| Writer(s) | Jerry Lynn Williams[1] |
| Producer(s) | Russ Titelman |
"No Alibis" is a track from Eric Clapton's 1989 album Journeyman.[2] It was released as a single in a shortened version, with "Running on Faith" (also on the Journeyman album) as the b-side. The 12" single and CD maxi-singles, both released the following year, included the longer album version and also added live versions of "Behind the Mask" and "Cocaine," respectively. The live versions were recorded at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England in July 1986.[3]
"No Alibis" is one of the more commercial rock songs from that record. Author Marc Roberty describes it as "a strong, anthem-like song."[4] The song, written by longtime collaborator Jerry Lynn Williams, combines Eric Clapton's rough, seasoned vocals with guest vocalist Daryl Hall's light vocals. The lyrics are about a male person asking his girlfriend or wife not to lie to him further, suggesting that all the lies she tells make the situation worse. During the Journeyman World Tour, performances of this song were particularly energetic. It became a live favorite.[4] The piece is in the key of E major, in which Clapton also takes his guitar solos.
In Clapton's autobiography, he describes that he wrote the songs with Williams, who was credited exclusively, but that Clapton was betrayed by his former partner Lory Del Santo.[5]
The single release of the song reached number 53 on the British charts and stayed there for three weeks.[6][7] On the US charts, the single reached number 4 on the mainstream rock charts, though it did not enter the Hot 100.[8]
Personnel
- Backing Vocals – Chaka Khan, Lani Groves
- Bass, Backing Vocals – Nathan East
- Drum Programming – Jimmy Bralower
- Guitar, Vocals – Eric Clapton
- Harmony Vocals – Daryl Hall
- Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Greg Phillinganes
- Percussion – Carol Steele
- Piano – Richard Tee
- Programmed By – Robbie Kondor
Notes
- ↑ No Alibis – Eric Clapton | Listen, Appearances, Song Review | AllMusic, accessed December 9, 2014, allmusic.com
- ↑ Journeyman – Eric Clapton | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic, accessed December 9, 2014, allmusic.com
- ↑ Eric Clapton - No Alibis at Discogs
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Roberty, M. (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Eric Clapton. Omnibus Press. p. 123. ISBN 0711943052.
- ↑ Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton: The Autobiography. 2007
- ↑ "British Chart". Chart Stats. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ↑ "Artist Chart History: Eric Clapton". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ↑ Journeyman – Eric Clapton | Awards | AllMusic, accessed December 9, 2014, allmusic.com