"Wonderful Tonight" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton. It was included on Clapton`s 1977 album Slowhand. Clapton wrote the song on his 1974 Martin D-28 guitar about Pattie Boyd.[2] The female vocal harmonies on the song are provided by Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman. The song is his most popular download on Spotify with more than 480,000,000 streams.[3]

Background

On 7 September 1976, Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" for then-girlfriend Pattie Boyd while waiting for her to get ready to attend Paul and Linda McCartney`s annual Buddy Holly party. The song is mentioned in her 2007 autobiographical book Wonderful Today.

Reception

Billboard described "Wonderful Tonight" as "perhaps Clapton`s prettiest and mellowest love ballad in some time."[4] Billboard particularly praised Clapton`s guitar playing during the interludes.[4] Cash Box said that "Eric’s singing is superbly understated; the guitar work is simple and evocative" and praised "the gentle beat and organ accompaniment."[5] Record World called it a "light, pretty ballad from [the album Slowhand] that should also move quickly up the charts" and praised Clapton`s singing."[6] The song peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 15, 1978, spending seven weeks in the Top 40.

Personnel

• Eric Clapton – lead vocals, guitar
• Jamie Oldaker – drums, percussion
• Carl Radle – bass guitar
• Dick Sims – Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ
• George Terry – guitar
• Yvonne Elliman – harmony and backing vocals
• Marcy Levy – harmony and backing vocals

Performance

In 1988, Clapton appeared in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert as a guest guitarist for Dire Straits. The group became his backing musicians for a surprise performance of "Wonderful Tonight" during their set.

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Wonderful Tonight"

Cover versions

Damage version

British R&B group Damage covered "Wonderful Tonight" and released it as the fifth single from their debut studio album, Forever (1997), in April 1997. The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band`s highest-charting single. The song is prominently performed by Coreé Richards, with little vocal input from any other members of the band. The music video features the band performing the song in a recording studio with cut scenes of a girl preparing to go on a night out. The B-side, "I`m Ready", launched the career of Craig David, being the first song he had ever written to be released by himself or another artist.

Track listings

• UK CD1[29]

1. "Wonderful Tonight"
2. "I`m Ready" (Rashaan J Bromfield, Coreé Richards, Noel Simpson, Jade Jones, Andrez Harriott, Craig David)
3. "Wonderful Tonight" (Ethnic Boyz Mix)

• UK CD2[30]

1. "Wonderful Tonight" (acoustic mix)
2. "Just My Imagination" (Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong)
3. "Love II Love" (acoustic mix)

• UK cassette single[31]

1. "Wonderful Tonight"
2. "I`m Ready" (Bromfield, Richards, Simpson, Jones, Harriott, David)

Charts

Certifications

Release history

David Kersh version

"Wonderful Tonight" was covered by country singer David Kersh on his album If I Never Stop Loving You in 1998. His version went to number 29 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Charts

Butch Baker version

The song was covered by country music singer Butch Baker on his album We Will, whose rendition reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1989.[46]