"The Core" - Eric Clapton

[TheTigers2758]

Well you can argue about Chuck Berry vs Buddy Holly and the world vs Jimi, and they are great, i think taken in album context Eric Clapton's range speaks volumes from Cream to Tears in Heaven unplugged i am 53 and grew up in the day..Clapton is still one of the Best ever, seeing him live, was like when saw Miles Davis , twice ,surreal!!

[LHcountryboy1]

One of the True'est Love Songs ever written..don't ya'll be SurPrized if Distractions try 2 FYU....{the Enemy HATES TRU LOVE}....listen..an' GL..... ;))

[LHcountryboy1]

....[*****].. 'nuff said....

[JAllen1963]

chuck berry brought us rock n roll,jimmy taught us what you can do with a electric guitar in a rock n roll world...every one else follows....just sayin

[ronkrill1]

clapton is the best,period,wake up dumb asses

[MrKnaumann]

@ronkrill1 Stevie Ray Vaughn was the best ever, then Eric Clapton.

[avimmmbb]

A cross dressing lassie from Glasgow Could emit a huge wind from her asshole. It would leave her plaid kilt at a vertical tilt And the residue there made the grass grow. Thank You.

[evanguy]

@avimmmbb That is the fucking weirdest YouTube comment I've ever read, and that's saying a lot.

[makstarn]

@avimmmbb killer limerick!! Thank you!

[Gamer101studios]

I will never stop loving this song!!!

[ChrisBluesman]

I find it funny to hear people comparing great guitarists or any other artists. What they have accomplished is way beyond professional technical level, it has to do with identity, a trademark of their own. To say that one is better than the other in such realm is the same as saying that yellow is better than blue because it is more yellow than the blue, deerrrr!!

Clapton is God!!!

[JAllen1963]

@ChrisBluesman i agree totally,for someone to claim that someone is the best is opinionated at best.there is no such thing as the best guitar player,drummer,etc.there is too many greats to claim that one is the best over the rest.what we are introduced too and have indulged in causes the opinion and if we are open minded we can discover other great artist also.they all bring something to the table for us to enjoy

[TheTigers2758]

@JAllen1963 Yeah, but there are about TEN of everything that is seperate from the pack, Clapton is one of the ten best rock guitarist ever.I believe there are ten saxplayers, ten drummers , ten bands of all genre . Its not absolute, its out there. With clapton, Beck, Hendrix, stevie ray vaughn, Blackmore, Page, joe Satch ,Santana, Duane Allman, Ry Cooder. alot left out, but argue that, no offense.

[JAllen1963]

@TheTigers2758 I take no offense,what i said is purely my opinion.and what you are saying is a opinion also.thats what makes the world go around.If everyone loved dwayne there would be nobody out there to love joe walsh...just sayin

[avimmmbb]

John McGlauphlin, Al DiMeola, George Benson, Chet Atkins, Paco De Lucia, .... etc. . Believe it or not, music , art, and life isn't a prick contest. People should accept musicians offerings for what they are. Or not. Steve Vai. There are and have been a LOT of great guitarists. I doubt that it's ever been a pissing contest amongst them.

[glezzery62]

Oh FFS, Clapton is a decent guitarist in the blues/rock vein. He is not anywhere near the greatest of all time. In fact, he is over-rated. Jeff Beck eats his lunch when it comes to guitar prowess.

[glezzery62]

Listen to the wrong note at 38 seconds. Funny, i never noticed it before.

[insaneone5150]

@glezzery62 .....really? Ever think that Clapton planned to pllay it that way? One of the greatest guitarists to ever walk the planet and you are saying he played his own song wrong? Thats fuckin laffable.

[evanguy]

@insaneone5150 He's quite capable of making mistakes, especially during his drinking years.

[glezzery62]

@insaneone5150 I stated there is a bad note that i never noticed. Do you see anything about why it was there, whether i meant to play it or not, dickhead?

[ultrakool]

yeah, i subsequently discovered that. at any rate, marcy didn't bump uglies with our savior either

[ultrakool]

yvonne elliman, aka, mary magdalene.. had a voice beyond compare. she still found it hard to fuck christ, though

[brupey]

@ultrakool Maybe ... but Marcy Levy is the female soloist.

[JoshCrosbie1]

I always loved this chicks voice. I have been listening to the vinyl lately.

[gtrdoug]

best Clapton song in my book.

[davekingpt]

I couldn't remember the name of this song, took me a while to find it. Found some other great music on the way. Had a great time searching and I'm glad I finally found it. I gotta go find this album on vinyl some day.

[TheFloridaPappy]

@davekingpt Same with me. Wound up having to do a Google search on some partial lyrics.

[smashandgrab12]

AWESOME!!!

[hbjim1]

Love this song and the lyrics. Heard it yesterday in the car, its been years since i have heard it. One of his best songs.

[MrRocketscott]

Yvonne Elliman – harmony and backing vocals is the second female backing singer on this song. Like a lot of others I think this may be one of my favorite Clapton songs

[PaulDavidHewson1]

Marcella Detroit (Marcy Levy) has an awesome voice! Growing up with Don Weiss (Don Was of Was Not Was), I'd surely like to know what school they attended in Motown. Take the time to look up more on Marcy Levy and you'll find out she has worked with a plethora of singers and bands.

[GuitarosaurusRex]

Best Clapton tune, in my opinion.

[axcol1]

she has a beautiful voice



[biteofthedog]

my fav Clapton tune...



[nar6307]

Great tune in the day ..... Marcy Was and incredible voice..... just great work!

[wingman572]

anybody got the guitar tabs for this?

[gsmokin100]

@wingman572  yeah god good luck

[wingman572]

everybody boogie!  this is a jam

[ruinous3]

love rediscovering my favorite songs <3

[SheltonBlackbirdd]

Never get enough of Clapton.. I'm going to bring back the blues.

[impala327]

4:12 - 4:18 is some of the sickest, hippest Clapton.

[ozzfann]

classir rok never dies.....it just marinates!

[robumland]

Best song ever.

[jacksdaddy2005]

very good music

[Chapako01]

Those wonderful years... I love Slowhand over all.

[MrHvbass]

@crissyb123 well said!!

[ravenkiller1]

Shannon Curfman & Joe Bonamassa do a pretty good cover of this. 

[ninodelobos]

When I hear this Song, it gives me the Motivation to "Get some Things done"!

It's a helluva a Lot easier to take care of all those Dishes in the Sink, and mow the Yard, clean the Loo, with a little Music like this.

This is like an extra Pot of Joe!

NDL

[moncrief1961]

I remeber listening to this over and over back in the day

[nar6307]

What a great song... forgot about this one .. . how? Marcy Levy is a great singer and the guitar is outstang of course. What a steal to get her from Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band!

[TheMILVET]

The "Chick" is Marcy Levey AKA Marcella Detroit. Long time back up singer for Clapton.

[HuxleyBarada]

Slow Hand 78,Seen many in the day This may be and was THE best!!

[bungaciput]

Great song... i love it, keep it up!

[Krizzackajack]

Does anyone else see a similarity to this song?

/watch?v=kVOd_4aepAw

[ozzfann]

.....and that why itz called; classic rok!!! \m/

[rvelliqu]

One of his masterpieces in my opinion....

[prober45]

it's a shame 7 people had access to a computer

[prober45]

the people who voted thumbs down should go back to critiquing the latest Betty Crocker creation, because they sure as hell don't have any taste in music

[capricious71]

I wonder when he last played this live. Good song.

[fanofprotopic]

I looooooooooooove this song and can't figure out why it's not at least as big as Layla.

[jassrv]

THIS IS THE BEST EC LP EVER .....what a great song LOVE the guitar riff at the start and on awesome ....thanks for posting

[RocmanUSA]

@jassrv got this album cover signed by EC - GREAT LP!

[jassrv]

@RocmanUSA !!!oh man thats awesome too :)

[19RaS93]

Eriče, napravi mi decu!

[n0tyham]

Marcy Levy is awsome! She co-wrote this song. Yvonne Elliman is great too!

[chrisjewett63]

i bought this when it came out&again as digitally remastered LP it was & still is F%**#@NG awesome!!!!!!!!! Rock On, ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!! Chris Jewett SA TX

[jimiange]

there was not a more perfect compliment to Eric's voice than Marcy Levy.

[jimbisonlinenow]

Been looking for this for a loooooooooooooooooong time. Yes...

[JustAintthatWay]

ha whenever this thing pops in my head i cant remember its name

just its 'hook' man what a killer lick

it should be called 'the hook'

and oh man can that girl sing

t/y for the 'tube

[evanguy]

@JustAintthatWay The working title was "The Riff," I believe.

[TheHDPapa]

Not a Clapton "fan" but this track kills. . .

[kgmule]

@TheHDPapa Right on.  Tough to deny this number.

[KelticCowboys2010]

@JustAintthatWay I couldn't believe your post when I read it! The exact same thing happens to me when I think of "the hook"! haha!!

Love this song.

[woodhous]

@JustAintthatWay That's EXACTLY how it is with me. I love this song and can never remember its name! (I always think it's "The Grunge" or "The Grange" or something like that.) Somehow I always wind up on it, though. I always associate this song with "Mainline Florida." For some reason I think they share a common (?) (Rhythm?) (Feel?)... something.

[dirwulf]

@woodhous I think you are thinking of The Crunge, by Led Zeppelin.

[BradVic]

Her songs have been recorded by many of the mentioned artists as well as by Tom Jones, Red Sovine, Asleep at the Wheel, Rod Stewrt, Cradle of Filth, Vixen, Link Wray, Melissa Manchester, Al Jarreu, Randy Crawford, Chaka Khan, etc. As a Marcella Detroit she was half of the duo Shakespear’s Sister. They had hits on both sides of the Atlantic between 1988 and 1991. FYI – she was co-writer of “Lay Down Sally”. And no, she was never married to Clapton.

[BradVic]

Marcy was also a background vocalists on recordings from 1967 (Paul Revere and the Raiders) thru today with such artists as Harvey Mandel, George Benson, Randy Meisner, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Leo Sayer, Bette Midler, Belinda Carlisle, Stephen Stills. Al Stewart, Siegel-Schwall Band and Carlos Guitarlos.

[BradVic]

Marcy but not Yvonne were on “Backless” (’78). Marcy was also on the live album “Just One Night” (’80).

[BradVic]

FYI - a tiny bit of research will tell you that Clapton had kicked heroin by this time but was still very much into liquid imbibements. Marcy Levy and Yvonne Elliman both recorded and toured with Clapton from 1974’s comeback LP “461 Ocean Blvd” (comeback as in returning to the scene after kicking heroin) including the albums “There’s On In Every Crowd” (‘75), “E.C. Was Here” (’75), “No Reason To Cry” (’76), “Slowhand” (1977).

[Zboots]

One of the best Clapton tunes ever - surely doesn't get enough radio play.

[chrisjewett63]

@Zboots no it doesnt  go figure

[HTMAINT1]

LOTS , going on here , Marcy Levi , great band , one of the great rock &roll jams

[MartinDastardlyAston]

Cooool...like Aunty Marcella and Yvonne Elliman on this, works zer gut

[Dadgrug]

Flatout f*n fine!!

[allguitarscnc]

cool!!!!!!!!! take a listen to my guitar sound if you ahve time

[ragingstorm33]

when ever i get lost as a guitar player, i listen to Clapton. that's ahc approved!

[bf526]

took my wife to her first concert to see clapton touring this album in late 77 or early 78. He put on a great show.

[jr55ful]

6 people closely resemble dung beetles.

[ratnick]

Pink Floyd and Clapton really knew how to use a woman's voice!

[conoralan]

terriffic song ... love the guitar lick , drives the whole song, great words and vocals... from a super album from my youth .. brings me back

[Gamfreekz]

I may be A Heavy metal Guy But Eric Is Just So Great!

[merkules2001]

@JenLadell Levy sang this one.

[RockPaperSmoke]

give'em both credit

the female 'singers?' of today could only dream about having a voice as great as Marcy or Yvonne

[ktward61]

I have this orig vinyl still. Stored with 1000 other LPs in the closet. I bought it as a young, Clapton-lovin' teen.

I'm old now, with long diverse musical interests-- and a grown son who is a classical, orchestral musician to boot.

But Clapton still blows me away.

[SuperNomad420]

@ktward61 GLAD TO HEAR CLAPTON BLOWS YOU AWAY, AS HE DOES ANY TRUE MUSIC FAN. NOT MY FAVORITE ARTIST, BUT STILL A FAN, AND THE CORE IS MY FAVORITE SONG BY HIM

[tigercatbob]

this song reflects god

[jaiger87]

Definately Marcy Levy. She did some stuff, I believe with Cat Stevens, Oh very young. Sounds just like her on that song. Beautiful unique voice.

[rslootweg2]

at that time eric performed a band with both yvonne and marcy; for sure this is marcy singing in lead and with eric, in chorus yvonne joined in the concerts I visited

.........and let´s not forget the sax!

[azfan1014]

I love the harmony of her voice with Mr. Slow Hand. I crank it up every time I hear it on my "classic rock" station here in Phoenix. Thanks for posting!

[OU8121ST]

This Just Showcases all his talent,this song kicks it hard love clapton,

[spd13062]

Still have this on vinyl!!!! Marcy, I love your voice on this jam! Used to roll a joint and play this LOUD.

[goldenpearl2]

This song is so badass! Always love hearing it!

[LoongChicken]

I love the sax solo

[ktward61]

And that, son, is how it's done.

[Snufferson]

Love every song on the Slowhand album. In this era, Clapton sounded like he was born and raised in Georgia -- very Southern sounding; a touch of blues and country.

[LiveCrueltyFreeNow]

I keep finding Clapton songs I never new the song titles for. This one is a GREAT one, I've been replaying it over and over for the last day.

[k3304]

check out Clapton from the The Band's "Last Waltz" show on You Tube, truley a classic !!

[PRD45]

My Favorite clapton tune

[tawoolley]

I adore Clapton...and this is one of my faves...My kids are big fans as well. They have Momma's musical tastes, which are very varied!

[stepheng71444]

WOW........CHARLIE WATANIS'S SONG

[pamphish]

ERIC!

[czech698]

nothing on this earth could cause me to marry a man who drank liquor. You know I could never be happy married to an atheist. No more cocktail parties! No more night clubs! No more gambling! No more Hollywood ladies!

[limosince2007]

@czech698 well i drink liquoe and im an atheist. Bring on the nightclubs, gambling and hollywood ladies! :D

[mann5711]

HEY

[DaveS12382]

not loud enough, turn them bitches up!!

[Bedouin1957]

This piece is so smooth, so laid back. But you gotta shuffle your feet! Thank you for putting this one up!

[OU8121ST]

This Song Kicks Butt , love this tune gives me chills . From back in the day, Love clapton

[ferd320]

the riff after the refrain is just intoxicating...i could listen to it for hours...or play it on my own strat! :)

[moncrief1961]

I totally agree....

[moncrief1961]

man, this brings back some memories, I spent many an hour listening to this album as a teenager.

[scholzie]

@moncrief1961 I did too, but I was born in '83! I was lucky enough to have a great copy of Slowhand on vinyl and this is one of my favorite songs from the album.

[moncrief1961]

this is one of those timeless songs, I suppose. The repeating of the ryhthm is hypnotic....one of Clapton's best, glad to see the younger generation enjoying it as well!

[ChopstickBrando]

All these years I thought the girl was Yvonne Elliman...Oh well, in any case, Marcy ROCKS!

[jazzhandstothesky]

Yvonne sings with him too, but not on this one.

[wnmg432]

Just awsome!!!

[jazzhandstothesky]

Sing it, Marci!!!

[sallie46]

Thanks Evanguy for posting! making my ho hum day at work a little more lively......

[azraelstear1]

Yeah, I tend to agree--this one and 'Peaches And Diesel' were my Faves off the album................mmmmmmm..­.......

[crissyb123]

the combination of claptons guitar and the chicks voice makes this song f*ckin awesome

[beercan640]

@crissyb123 the sax is great too

[limeginger]

@crissyb123 personally, I always thought it was fucking rather than f*ckin awesome :)

[MrSomeOldDude]

This can only be described as ear porn. Wow. Kids are out and this is cranked to 11. If this doesn't put a smile on your face, you as well be dead.

[ozzfann]

@MrSomeOldDude lol.....mines on 12!!!! hells yea....Grooove on THAT \m/

[DRGK9]

@crissyb123 is she his wife or something because when i heard all the way i started to wonder....

[evanguy]

@DRGK9 No.

[chrisjewett63]

@crissyb123 right on!!! go rock on!! yeahhhhsss!!! Cj S.A. , TX.

[ravenkiller1]

@crissyb123 That chick is Marcy Levy & she's amazing!

[ktward61]

Damn. 30+ years later, this still stirs me. My own kids are now in college; my son is a classical musician, and equally appreciates Clapton's grace and genius. Clapton-lovin' Grandkids (no hurry) are next. Life is sweet.

[sensai61]

lol. i bet clapton used the pickup line "i bet your wondering how slow MY slowhand can go" or something of that sort, lmao

[crissyb123]

LOL good one.

[boliverful1]

This riff is incredible...

[MsPluckey]

LOVE this song. Reminds me of my first week of college- this album was played while we were all moving into the dorms!

[RojOMaravilla]

this song make me free =)

[iiiSean]

AMAZING

[PlanTonto]

Thanks for the upload, Evan. Brings back great memories!

[vrtsflipflop]

Far and away one of my favorites from Clapton. Didn't know until now that Marcy Levy/Detroit co-wrote!

[unstablemeson]

Haven't heard this in quite a while. It's as good (if not better) than before...improves with age.

[lastman2008]

This song is immaculate. Crisp and tight rhythm and the groove is right in the pocket.  What else would you expect from Clapton?

[htmaint]

wonderfull melodic composition, great jam , marcy levi sings great

[stimpp]

Such a beautiful melody - I love the chorus.

Thank you for creating something that "touched my heart".

[royaltenenbaum23]

Hadn't heard this before, excellent track, love the vocals!

[theblueslive7]

Hi Marcy...always loved your voice. Ironically it took me years to warm up to your collaborative songs with EC because it was a bit of a departure from what he did before. Now, they're among my faves of his. Your writing has definitely stood the test of time...and that voice!!

[marcelladetroit]

this is marcy [levy] here. i was just listening to this version as i don't have one at home, believe it or not! so pleased everyone loves this song. i had fun writing it. literally, at 3 am every morning in a london hotel room a fire alarm went off waking me up. I used it and compared it to my life, the feeling of being alive and wanting to learn it and live life to the fullest! thanks for all the comments!

thanks!

marcy x

[dave30076]

Marcy....sure appreciate your work writing and vocals on this one. Thanks go to XM radio for getting this song a LOT more exposure. I hear it on there a lot, and always enjoy it.

[marcelladetroit]

thanks to xm radio and thanks to you as well for your appreciation!

[88mphsss]

You wrote "The Core"? That song is fantastic!

[marcelladetroit]

yes, I cowrote "the core" with eric. he came up with the riff in the studio and sent me back to my hotel room to come up with the lyrics and melody which I did a few days later. we recorded it when it was ready, and that was that! glad you like it, many thanks! i

[88mphsss]

i also read something saying you were involved with Lay Down Sally is that true?

[paulberg237]

I took guitar lessons about 30 years ago for several years. I wore our The Core and Cocaine and bought replacement LP and then bought the CD, It's great

[sherman614]

I have this album, the record!

i found it in my sisters attic

[pwbpwb2]

very nice!!! the band alo does a cover of this song on a live set i have

[merkules2001]

Marcy Levy is a great voice. I love her touch on this song.

[jrb5353]

For Me,

Greatest Studio Drum Track Ever!

Greatest Studio Sax Solo Ever!

Greatest Studio B3 Solo/Sounds Ever!

Oh Yeah, the guy on guitar was pretty good too!

At 3:19 listen to how the guitar leads into the sax solo and then how that sax solo leads back (3:53) into a guitar solo and how that solo leads (4:47) into the 2nd (female) vocal Brilliant!!!

This is a complete song done before digital/computer tracking. They played it! This song should be taught in modern music composition classes.

[AlJefferson]

Slowhand is a masterpiece

Wore that thing out

[acdeucee]

Me too

[skunkdad7]

Radio could not play this one , too long ! Just a killer song .

[RattleheadIV]

The only time I hear it on the radio is on XM