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Backless
Studio album by Eric Clapton
Released	November 1978
Recorded	1978
Studio	Olympic, London
Genre	Rock
Length	41:01
Label	RSO
Producer	Glyn Johns
Eric Clapton chronology
Slowhand (1977) Backless (1978) Just One Night (1980)
Singles from Backless
"Promises" Released: September 1978 "If I Don't Be There by Morning" Released: March 1979

Backless is the sixth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released in November 1978. 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 on the UK Singles Chart, it was a much bigger success in the US, reaching no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up single, "Watch Out for Lucy", was the B-side of "Promises", but reached no. 40 on the Billboard 100 on its own merit. Later in 1980 "Tulsa Time" was #30 on the Billboard 100 with the 1977 song "Cocaine" as B-side. It was Clapton's last studio album to feature his longtime bassist Carl Radle, who died in 1980.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Christgau's Record Guide	B−
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

The Globe and Mail noted that "there is none of the old spectacular playing—the emphasis is definitely on mellow funkiness—but the duet he plays on 'Roll It' with singer Marci Levy has some eloquent licks all the same."

Track listing

1. "Walk Out in the Rain" (Bob Dylan, Helena Springs) – 4:16
2. "Watch Out for Lucy" (Eric Clapton) – 3:26
3. "I'll Make Love to You Anytime" (J. J. Cale) – 3:23
4. "Roll It" (Clapton, Marcy Levy) – 3:42
5. "Tell Me That You Love Me" (Clapton) – 3:31
6. "If I Don't Be There by Morning" (Dylan, Springs) – 4:38
7. "Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Clapton) – 5:25 (LP)/7:58 (CD)
8. "Promises" (Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) – 3:04
9. "Golden Ring" (Clapton) – 3:32
10. "Tulsa Time" (Danny Flowers) – 3:28

Singles

• 1978 – "Promises" (#37 UK Singles Chart; #9 US Billboard Hot 100) b/w "Watch Out for Lucy" (#40 US Billboard Hot 100)
• 1979 – "If I Don't Be There by Morning"

Personnel

• Eric Clapton – guitars, lead vocals
• Dick Sims – organ, piano
• George Terry – guitars
• Carl Radle – bass, backing vocals
• Jamie Oldaker – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Marcy Levy – backing vocals, lead vocals on "Roll It"
• 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.

Charts

Certifications

References

1. "Olympic Studios Records - Archive". Olympicstudiosrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
2. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 36.
3. Ruhlmann, William. "Eric Clapton - Backless". AllMusic.
4. 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.
5. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 135, 136.
6. "Backless Eric Clapton". The Globe and Mail. 15 November 1978. p. F9.
7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
8. "Austriancharts.at – Eric Clapton – Backless" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
9. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0102a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
10. "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Backless" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
11. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Eric Clapton". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 48.
12. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
13. "Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Backless". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
14. "Norwegiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Backless". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
15. "Swedishcharts.com – Eric Clapton – Backless". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
16. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
17. "Eric Clapton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
18. "Canadian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless". Music Canada. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
19. "British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
20. "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 January 2016.

• Eric Clapton albums
• 1978 albums
• RSO Records albums
• Albums produced by Glyn Johns
• Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios