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Wonderful Tonight
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Wonderful Tonight
| cover = Wonderful Tonight cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Eric Clapton
| album = Slowhand
| B-side = Peaches and Diesel
| released =
| recorded = May 1977
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:45
| label = RSO
| writer = Eric Clapton
| producer = Glyn Johns
| prev_title = Lay Down Sally
| prev_year = 1977
| next_title = Promises
| next_year = 1978
}}
"'Wonderful Tonight'" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton. It was included on Clapton's 1977 album 'Slowhand'. Clapton wrote the song about Pattie Boyd. "the hard-rock pioneer and guitar god also become a soft-rock star in the mid-1970s. He celebrated his sobriety with (... ) the Top 5 hit "Lay Down Sally" and hit No. 16 with the ballad "Wonderful Tonight," both off his 1977 Slowhand album" The female vocal harmonies on the song are provided by Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman.
Background
On 7 September 1976, Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" for 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 autobiographical book 'Wonderful Today'.
Critical reception
'Billboard Magazine' described "Wonderful Tonight" as "perhaps Clapton's prettiest and mellowest love ballad in some time." 'Billboard' particularly praised Clapton's guitar playing during the interludes. 'Cash Box' said that "Erics singing is superbly understated; the guitar work is simple and evocative" and praised "the gentle beat and organ accompaniment."
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
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
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 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'
# "Wonderful Tonight"
# "I'm Ready"
# "Wonderful Tonight" (Ethnic Boyz Mix)
* 'UK CD2'
# "Wonderful Tonight" (acoustic mix)
# "Just My Imagination"
# "Love II Love" (acoustic mix)
* 'UK cassette single'
# "Wonderful Tonight"
# "I'm Ready"
Charts
'Weekly charts'
'Year-end charts'
Certifications
Release history
David Kersh version
"Wonderful Tonight" was covered by country singer David Kersh 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, whose rendition reached number 66 on the 'Billboard' Hot Country Songs chart in 1989.Michael Bubl version
"Wonderful Tonight" was covered by singer Michael Bubl in 2007 on his album Call Me Irresponsible. That album reached number one on the Billboard 200 charts on 26 May 2007.[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052095/buble-sidesteps-bone-thugs-to-claim-no-1 "Buble Sidesteps Bone Thugs To Claim No. 1"]References
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