Eric Clapton-May You Never

[keesvangulik127]

Excellent oppurtunity to hear drums aren't always the thing to do.

[MrSinclaircooper]

Love EC, but this is a poor cover...

[kneapoe51]

Amazing.....no attempted(as far as I can see..just one) : ) snappy little zingers about the dis-i-likes? LOL Please forgive me, not many 1sts I get to see on here......& actually notice. : ) Definitely a compliment to John Martyn, no doubt about that.

[NinoRedon2]

buena eric! deja la merca!! o mejor no y segui haciendo esta musica . y escuchen a pappo. aguante argentina

[peroduanippa]

best cover I've ever seen

[fells1999]

@peroduanippa have a listen to john mayer covering free falling sure ule change ur mind

[danlay]

It's a bit like airline food--resembles what it's meant to be, but just doesn't make it.

[gordonw01]

Just lacking any soul.

Like a crap blues band playing the cover in a dingy Pub on a Friday night.

[policefan1982]

Clapton is much better looking.

[rooduck]

clapton covering this was probably john martyns biggest payday, makes no sense when you listen to johns original version against this thin lifeless cover,

[ItsTheDrums1]

@rooduck couldn't be more right!!!

[boredchad2009]

sorry boys i disagree with your comments on clapton, durin his mayall, cream and derek years he was the greatest guitarist known to man..........but then he fuked up on herion and 3 bottles of brandy a day and signed to warner bros.but i do agree that john marytn he is not..peace to u all

[HappySnacky]

its not that its bad... its just not john martyn... and it never will be :\

[49mrjd]

rubbish coulnt be bothered to put any feeling into it your overrated son!!

[sstbmadsen]

This is the opposite of a cool song.

[MrBrainless17]

lol eric shouldnt even think about john martyn

[ellis6507]

still think john martyns verson is better

[sirblues]

Why an interpretation has always to be better or worse ? Better than comparing is to understand the differences and enjoy a good song in any taste. Period.

[murtlemcturtle]

Sorry Eric Tears in Heaven was your feeling song which I rather like.However this version of May You Never is flaccid, unshaped and soulless. A pale imitation of the original.Dear listener this is a a great song For a beautiful sensitive version hear the master John Martyn and Kathy Mattea on youtube

[123jsbach]

Weird interpretation-bit on the upbeat side for a Martyn song.

[ellis6507]

john martyn is the best his version is amazing

[netheidsoefening]

a humble tribute.

[GisMadz]

I used to listen to this song / album in the 70s, can somebody please give us youngsters a link to the original song, then we can also hear the perfect version? Or shall you keep it for yourself?

Stop yelling, start playing, or shut the F*UCK up, old hags!!!

[pacificanai]

@GisMadz Hmm. Very rudely put of you. However.

/ watch?v= LOi_wxypeGc

Add youtube.com in the front and take out the spaces, I'm not sure of Youtube's policy on link posting so I've added them in. Also, wonderful youngster of 40+, the original is also to be found in the links DIRECTLY to your right. Computers are tough, I know.

[MegaYoshitsune]

Why are people complainig about it not being as goog as the orgional? Can't you just say Eric made a good attempt, but John's is better? Or I like John's version more? I can't hear anything wrong with this.

[godfishgod]

What a load of rubbish!

[shagua04]

I usually like originals more than covers, but i prefer this version. Haters gunna hate.

[CarrionAngell]

wow. clapton just ruined this song. nice..

[MrCajunmojo]

I love EC but he should never have attempted this song. John's version will never be bettered.

[fistle]

Absolute crap....Clapton should be truly ashamed.

[THESpoonyLegs]

@fistle explain why this is crap, you must be deaf

[godfishgod]

@THESpoonyLegs Listen to it!

[3dcosmin]

good



[JoshieBoy81]

No Soul?

CLapton?

Type in 'Got to get Better in a Little While' please.

I rest my case

God bless J Martyn esq the coolest cat that ever did live :)

[keefyflix]

No soul man!!

Sum's up Clapton , in my opinion!

Agree with the "pop song" analogy.

[johnnygrulez]

clapton kicked ass!

[sirronald69]

*****

[rikwalker917]

lovely song, eric doing a tribute to his friend and giving him royalties for the rest of his life

[sionnyn]

Eric is great, but John was greater! Eric seems to be trying to tun this great song into a Pop Song!

[bid84]

2 years ago today the world lost a legend, loved and missed

[policefan1982]

This is great! 

[Pippylongsoxx]

Can't beat John singing this!

[masterlowsferatu]

Once again Eric does a good job of turning a classic song into a watered down peice of wishy washy soft rock trash. Any TRUE Eric Clapton fan knows he was only good in Cream.

[CompleteCretin]

@masterlowsferatu Well that's bollocks. From the hundreds of bootlegs I've collected it's clear all his best work was during the 90's (particularly 94/95). I'd put 90's, Bluesbreakers & Dominos above the Cream years. I actually felt Cream 2005 were better than the original.

[BigStupidTommy]

This is good. I like it.

[Glyde11209]

On the face of it, this isn't a bad cover of John Martyn's song - until you listen to John singing it....

Eric...sing it in the Pub like we all do, just don't go recording it....

[GrungeHippie95]

pretty shit, but that's not surprising coming from a complete wanker like clapton

[MWrightofficial]

I'm a fan of Clapton, but this is rubbish next to the original. In fact, this is pretty rubbish anyway. Stick to the blues!

[rexasul]

Never really understood the fuss about Clapton, this piss poor cover certainly isn't helping.

[useahammer]

Clapton may be over rated, but he's still a darn sight better than most of the musicians who have been through the whole music scene. You guys are lame. Give the man the credit he deserves.

[pandaakel]

lame! the original is so much better!

[mmcdonn2]

Clapton is God.....but Martyn is Divine!

[kevm24z]

oh no.. bad cover of an amazing song! saying eric claptons over rated is bollox though! this obviously isnt a prime example but the guy's a fucking wicked guitarist and wrote some good songs himself. This covers a disaster leave it to john

[dimesy94]

i love the organ in this, but i miss the emotion that just ran right off every chord, note, hammer-on, pull off, and word martyn played or sang this seems a bit more jammed.

[WilhelmKojac]

Really love Clapton... but this is just a version that never should have been done. The original is soooooooooooooooo.............­... spectacular....

[corkbred]

rubbish version by an over-rated artist of a great song . john martyn was the songwriter clapton would love to be

[chaircreature]

bloody awful version of a beautiful song.

[godfishgod]

@chaircreature I concur!

[rosesredvioletsblue]

fantastic song! thank you, for posting. 

[nicfarey]

EC is good, not God, but this is just another example of his plundering from better artists (John Martyn, JJ Cale et al...)

[CommercialVehicle]

Slowhand is GOD

[Tecumseh1812]

piss off all of you . EC is the man

[AndyMc1952]

wow john Q p nailed it here ........ this shouldnt have been produced

[johnnymagic10]

props to Clapton for bringing john martyn to people who may otherwise never listen to him even if it's not as good as the original

[leonio10]

not a patch on John...RIP

[Superstarpaulrogers]

Eric Clapton is great but if you know John Martyn then you know that no one can top him when preforming this song, so much emotion displayed through each one of his words in every song.

[MrHano2013]

It's thanks to Eric that I got to know John Martin...

I love this tune, and I intruduced it in my band last week.

Thanks for sharing.

[ThePaulg74]

Crap.....don't mess with the original.

[goldensweet45]

Doesn't sound anything like the proper version :(

[taffboyslim]

For the past month, I've been watching/listening to most of the John Martyn renditions of this on youtube, plus several of the DIY covers by done people at home. I have to say that this version is the worst of the lot. Everything about it is wrong - the drums, keyboard, bass, guitar and vocals have about as much passion as a menopausal panda. My only hope is that this was recorded in an attempt to get John Martyn some much-deserved wider recognition and royalties.

[MrTranswave]

wen at work



[jiyder]

ive never understood the hype behind clapton....and im pretty educated in classic music.....but john martynis pure emotion and soul.....sorry eric, you dont do it for me.....tho u pulled off some pretty nice solos in cream (but pretty standard blues)

[godfishgod]

Rubbish!

[wordzupjon]

I was always fond of this Slowhand track. But having now heard John Martyn's version, Eric doesn't come close. In fairness, Eric said Martyn was "so far ahead of everything, it's almost inconceivable." Hear any JM version & it'll touch you so much more deeply - the earliest I can find is this from 1973. Enjoy - and find yourself hooked, smitten & mesmerised by JM's music & personality. May he RIP. Gawd love him.

[TheFreeman35]

i gotta say,this is very passable for JM cover,but agree the drums are very wishy washy cymbal happy..but then,when your clapton you can do wtf you like with a song and automatcly at least a million suckers out there are gonna say its awesome bcos its clapton.oh well,such is life,for EC.

[odorono2006]

I think slowhand is the best Clapton-album

[rnr5682]

john Martyn sings this so much more soulfully

[dowling1981]

@rnr5682 His name is not Jon Martyn, it is Marlon Pankhurst

[Snufferson]

Great version. I love Clapton's vocals.

[rossycee08]

good cover but nothing compared to the original, its to precise to be like the original but the then that is the beauty of a cover

[rupertacdc]

apalling.

[Tommylawrence09]

didn't know he covered this song. Isn't bad at all!!

[FolkieOne]

I'd have to agree with other posts that this fails to hit the spot when compared with the original... there's just not much depth here in this version. It's just too jaunty for what the song is trying to convey. The drummer needs a good kick in the balls too - sounds like the drummer in the more recent offerings from Neil Young, bit too cymbal happy.

[FolkieOne]

I'd have to agree with other posts that this fails to hit the spot when compared with the original... there's just not much depth here in this version. It's just too jaunty for what the song is trying to convey. The drummer needs a good kick in the balls too - sounds like the drummer in the more recent offerings from Neil Young, bit too cymbal happy.

[osummuso]

I guess this is important, cos anyone led by this to listen to John Martyn's work will be instantly a fan.

I used to work in a Guitar shop where John came in as a regular (once in his pyjama's) and everyone loved him.

Not Clapton's best cover, but please people, look up the original.

He was a lovely man.

[samnninty]

Got this is awful!

And I don't want a thumbs down because this is just middle of the road bollocks .

[mysticgeorge]

.........lover as I am of both Clapton and Martyn........this is an emotionless and therefore worthless cover of John's song..............

[ajametz]

I think Eric Clapton's version of this song is far superior to the orginal.

[osummuso]

@ajametz How is the Planet Zog this time of year? lol

[ajametz]

@osummuso Idisagree with you, so I MUST be wrong....clueless. lol

[osummuso]

@ajametz That'sok bud.

Whatever you enjoy is great and I love Clapton as an artist.

In case though, he took a Monal Lisa and turned it into a Dominoe Pizza.

I'm a musician myself, I knew John Martyn well and played in places like the Marquee where Clapton and Cream made their reputations, so I assure you, I'm not talking out my butt!

[Glyde11209]

Clapton just doesn't have the vocal range that John Martyn had, and can't really get Martyn's phrasing right...

But, that being said, this is a nice cover of the song...

[HockeyIsLife247]

gotta say i like Claptons version a lot more... the orginal is still good, i just think clapton did it better

[totallyremiss]

love is the lesson to learn

[automagicalx]

A unique and beautiful song turned into a 4/4 bland-athon. EC has done some great covers but even gods get it wrong some times. Check out the John Martyn original...

[modeldrive]

yes but his is god ok

[dronzagov]

not entirly without merit but is like tined sardeens to caviar with the original

[davepower20]

This may have been said somewhere down the line but John Martyn's Version is much better.

[ispinimor]

@davepower20 John martin's a shit head. End of.

[acdeucee]

My Buddy got killed in a bar room fight back in 79'...this was a song He immensely loved

[rujocat]

when i listen to this cover version, well john, you miss me forever and ever

[django1889]

what i like about this so much is that, despite its a rather bland version you can still tell its a great song.

[constancecv]

Clapton phoned this one in.

[catweasel28]

Compared to any version by the composer (of which there are several on YouTube) this cover is bland, lifeless and mechanical.

For your own sake, insist on the real thing.

[PrincessMinuschka]

@catweasel28 i knew the clapton version first, and only recently found john martyn's here, and it's like a blind person being able to see all of a sudden, you're absolutely right. this is like hiding the song behind a ten dollar landscape painting.

[clerkhog]

nothing compared with john martyns

[Sointula2]

Did you ever consider it was a way for Clapton to show favour to Martyns?

[gisliajackson]

@clerkhog Never heard of John Martyns, actually. I normally don't like Clapton's voice that much, but I prefer it to the album version of Martyn's song that I found on youtube. Having said that--Martyn's version is far superior. I love the Clapton version, like Martyn's better. Just a personal preference thing about the voice--maybe Clapton had a better studio. The time changes work much better on Martyn's version. Thanks for turning me onto this guy, will find some of his other stuff.

[mensamoo]

sorry love'm both but absolutely NOTHING will replace the emotion of the original. This is a country version. again, apologies. some songs cannot change genre.

[Dippides]

Never knew Clapton covered this. Great song! His voice matches perfectly for this.

[AberavonAbstractics]

when people were wearing clapton is god tshirts..he was wearing his "jj cale is god,and john martyns jesus" pants..!..

never used to like eric much,but he does so grow on u..legend..

[nlumby]

With the greatest respect, I think you'll find Clapton can fingerpick with the best... It's an easy assumption to make that he can't... I've done it myself!

[shagua04]

I love this version. Normally i like the original but Clapton is too good.

[irvpav]

If Clapton would have played this note for note he would have been criticized. As a person who does covers this is the dilemma. Its a better tribute to the original to cover it your way instead of being a robot copying it note for note

[totallyremiss]

@irvpav Amen

[jacktheripper509]

My Name is Volker

[FenderStratisfy]

Search for Ryan Mitchell-Smith - May You Never. It's awesome!

[ShadowLife31]

i like this version but have just listened to original, which is just amazing!

[synestheticmusic]

lol, he has to strum the chords cause he can't fingerpick like john can. if you cant do it properly, dont cover it.

[irvpav]

trying to compare the guitar styles of these two geniuses is pointless. For whatever its worth Clapton can fingerpick brilliantly. Check out his unplugged sessions as well as some of the acoustic stlyle blues he occasionally plays.

[bolge00]

What a terrible version of a brilliant song.

[pjm290]

Nice version, but it don't have the rawness of John Martyn. John and Kathy Mattea's version is fantastic.

[AMDS789]

Awesome cover by clapton, but Martyn wrote the song, and it was perfect for him.

[clerkhog]

good but not as soulful as john created it

[153403hampton]

true dat homes

[boo2ubam]

I remember hearing a female version of this a few years back and I'm trying to find it. Grr. I'm getting frustrated. That version was awesome.

[batty112233]

might have been kathy mattea??

[connberkshire]

I don't care what any of you think of this version, I carry it very close to my heart......

[skylark521]

I like this version, too!

[dimefan88]

No sir, I do not like it!

[geoffgrainger1]

Nice try but It is pretty awful. Listen to the original - it's got soul!

[ler0y182]

to sum it up, brilliant song, done nicely by the great eric but its no big john.. x

[robertogianoli]

pessima !!!!

[runhardhooah]

I got something to say to all yall Eric Clapton hatin' critics. While reading some of your whiny, opinionated critiques, I think to myself..."WHO GIVES A SHIT???" That's a wonderful line out of one of the best movies ever made by the way, being The Big Labowski.

[MichaelFrances]

one of the worst covers ive ever heard by one of the most boring and middle of the road artists that has ever lived....tears in heaven? pass the sick bucket please

[CzikoMiko]

Poor you, that you dont understand the awesomness which is just in the air. Eric has made for the music more than somebody ever had. One of the best guitarists. I am just sorry, that you can't feel his flow and soul. Go back to your Jonas Brohers and kiss them goodbye, cause they will be forgotten in next 2 months.

[hal90002k2]

When you compare this to the elegance and precision of the original, MichaelFrances is right and you're wrong. The way Clapton slops through the vocal deliveries and dumbs down the guitar is frankly criminal.

Ironic how you threw a Jonas Brothers slam out, when it is in fact yourself that probably needs a little more musical education. ;)

[jaklaight]

just so you know, tears in heaven was written for his dead son, so i dont think you really have any right to pour scorn

[walkingbear56]

Whatever the emotional content of a song by an original composer... ( I'm thinking also of something like Fire and Rain by James Taylor) does it mean that someone else cannot interpret the sentiment without being the originator?

However there are limits to this thinking, re "May you never" there are some appalling versions that should be consigned to the waste basket. James Morrisons for one, and this version too. ....

[walkingbear56]

Eric has produced some fine personal songs and some great covers. This unfortunately sounds like some bad "wedding singer" type version of someone tying to sound like Dire Straits.

John Martyn always sang from the heart and from a point of one skin too short.. so its his rawness that touches the soul.

Eric too has his deamons to work with and has done some fine stuff in his time and worked with fine musicians... but sometimes (like here) he tends to be self indulgent.

[1947Chief]

Clapton is God

[edboswell]

Peter Green is greater than God

[acdeucee]

I love Peter Green too, However this a good song.

[edboswell]

If you love this tune, check out the 1973 solo live performance of it by John Martyn, and the John Martyn Kathy Mattea version from the mid 1980's with Jerry Douglas on dobro and Danny Thompson on upright bass..... Those two versions are both magnificent.......Cheers

[contextisall]

It fails to deliver the way Martyn's did. The raw emotion isn't there...it feels like a cover band you might expect to hear at a wedding have performed it!

[music1102pm]

I luv clapton and he is my god but this album was the start of a huge line of albums that were great and al but they just werent as good as his old stuff. The old stuff had a lot more soul to it. i definitly perfered clapton when he was on coke.

[philnunn1969]

@music1102pm he wasnt on coke he was on heroin then alcohol now he is clean and has been for some years

[aenoch75]

@music1102pm Hi have you heard steven stills first album,EC plays on the 5th track "go back home"i think it is one of the best things he has ever done.

[SwiftyLeZar]

@contextisall The percussion is what gives it that uninspired, wedding band-ish sound. It would probably be great with just Clapton and his guitar.

[windingboy]

He couldnt lace john martyn's boots

[rayktheon]

wonderful song by clapton !!!!

Clapton Is God !!!!

[patsdragon]

RIP John goning to miss you!

xoxoxPats

[59simonh]

Damn, another of the good ones gone..everyone else stay alive..and keep going...its what he'd want....

[patsycat]

RIP John Martyn - thanks for one of the best loves songs ever written.

[MisterLester]

Great version, but the versions by Martyn himself make this track an absolute classic. There are few better songs about true love... in fact, I can't think of any! Thanks John Martyn.

[Kynatics]

I have this cassette. This is one of my favorite tracks. Like brucecow pointed out, the tempo is beautiful. Thank you ever so much for posting the video.

Kynatics.

[brucecow]

Great tempo, great tribute to John Martyn. Always an honour to have EC cover your work. An all time classic.