Eric Clapton's 9 Biggest Songs of All Time

#1 is a cover of a song by a reggae legend
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By , Audacy

Eric Clapton has one of the most impressive resumes in rock history. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame three different times: as a solo artist, and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. With Derek and the Dominos, he recorded one of the most popular songs of all time in “Layla” with a major assist from Duane Allman.

Clapton, now 75, has placed 23 songs on the Billboard 100 as a solo artist and several more with his other bands. 10 songs cracked the top 10, with one going all the way to #1. Here’s a look back at Eric Clapton’s biggest songs of all time, ranked by their peak position on the chart.

9 DEREK AND THE DOMINOS - Layla

The best-known song from the collective's only studio album, it peaked at #10 in the U.S. The track was famously inspired by George Harrison's wife and featured Duane Allman on guitar.

8 ERIC CLAPTON - Promises

From 1978's Backless, it peaked at #9 during a week "Le Freak" by Chic was #1. "Promises" spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart.

7 THE YARDBIRDS - For Your Love

It peaked at #6 in 1965 and was the band's first charting single. But the song also signaled a new direction for the Yardbirds and helped Clapton decide to move on.

6 CREAM - White Room

From 1968's Wheels of Fire, it peaked at #6 during a week "Hey Jude" by The Beatles was #1. "White Room" spent a total of 11 weeks on the chart.

5 CREAM - Sunshine of Your Love

From 1967's Disraeli Gears, it peaked at #5 during a week "People Got to Be Free" by The Rascals was #1. "Sunshine of Your Love" spent a total of 26 weeks on the chart.

4 ERIC CLAPTON - Change the World

Clapton recorded it for the soundtrack to the 1996 John Travolta film "Phenomenon," and the song also appeared on Clapton Chronicles. "Change the World" spent a total of 43 weeks on the chart and peaked at #5 during a week "Macarena" by Los Del Rio was #1.

3 ERIC CLAPTON - Lay Down Sally

From 1977's Slowhand, it peaked at #3 during a week "Night Fever" by Bee Gees was #1. "Lay Down Sally" spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart.

2 ERIC CLAPTON - Tears in Heaven

The song Clapton wrote about the death of his 4-year-old son appeared on the soundtrack to the 1991 film "Rush." He also recorded a memorable acoustic version for "MTV Unplugged." "Tears in Heaven" spent a total of 26 weeks on the chart and peaked at #2 during a week "Save the Best for Last" by Vanessa Williams was #1.

1 ERIC CLAPTON - I Shot the Sheriff

The Bob Marley cover appeared on Clapton's 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard. The song spent 14 weeks on the chart and edged "(You're) Having My Baby" by Paul Anka for the #1 spot on 9/14/74.

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