Backless
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2010) |
| Backless | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1978 | |||
| Recorded | 1978 | |||
| Studio | Olympic Studios, London[1] | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 41:01 | |||
| Label | RSO | |||
| Producer | Glyn Johns | |||
| Eric Clapton chronology | ||||
| ||||
Backless is the sixth full-length studio album by Eric Clapton. Produced by Glyn Johns, and released by RSO Records, Backless reached No. 8 on the pop charts. While the single "Promises" only reached No. 37 in the UK, it was a much bigger success in the US, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard charts. The follow-up single, "Watch Out for Lucy", was the B-side of "Promises", but reached #40 on the Billboard charts on its own merit. This was Clapton's last studio album to feature his longtime bassist Carl Radle who died in 1980.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    link |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B–[2] |
| ARTISTdirect | link |
Track listing
- "Walk Out in the Rain" (Bob Dylan, Helena Springs) – 4:16
- "Watch Out for Lucy" (Eric Clapton) – 3:26
- "I'll Make Love to You Anytime" (J. J. Cale) – 3:23
- "Roll It" (Clapton, Marcy Levy) – 3:42
- "Tell Me That You Love Me" (Clapton) – 3:31
- "If I Don't Be There by Morning" (Dylan, Springs) – 4:38
- "Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Eric Clapton) – 5:25 (LP)/7:58 (CD)
- "Promises" (Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) – 3:04
- "Golden Ring" (Clapton) – 3:32
- "Tulsa Time" (Danny Flowers) – 3:28
Singles
- 1978 – "Promises" (#37 UK; #9 US)
- 1979 – "Promises" (International)
- 1979 – "Watch Out for Lucy" (#40 US)
- 1979 – "Walk Out in the Rain"
- 1980 – "Tulsa Time" (Studio track from Backless not a single...live version released from Just One Night)
Personnel
- Eric Clapton – guitar, lead vocals, arrangements on "Early In the Morning"
- George Terry – guitar
- Dick Sims – keyboards
- Carl Radle – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Jamie Oldaker – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Marcy Levy – backing vocals
- Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle – backing vocals on "Golden Ring"
Production
- Producer and Engineer – Glyn Johns
- Assistant Engineer – Jon Astley
- Art Direction and Design – David Stewart and Nello
- Photography – Nello
- Additional Photography – Rob Fraboni, Andy Seymour and Laura K. Sims.
Chart performance
| Chart (1978–1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[3] | 24 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[4] | 22 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[5] | 22 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[6] | 2 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[7] | 28 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[8] | 18 |
| US Billboard 200[9] | 8 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[10] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ http://olympicstudiosrecords.co.uk/100olympicStudioAlbums
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: C". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 23 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Eric Clapton – Backless" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Backless" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Backless". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Backless". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Eric Clapton – Backless". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ "Eric Clapton | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ "Eric Clapton – Backless – Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Coperation. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless". Music Canada. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ "British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 January 2016. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Backless in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 January 2016.