Derek and the Dominos was a music group formed in the spring of 1970 by gui… Read Full Bio ↴Derek and the Dominos was a music group formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton along with Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon, who had all played with him in Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Duane Allman from the Allman Brothers Band joined the group early in the recording of their first album. They were a blues-rock band that demonstrated virtuosity at its finest, showing some of Eric "Slowhand" Clapton's finest work.
The group debuted at the Lyceum Theatre in London on June 14, 1970 where the announcer mispronounced their provisional name of Eric and the Dynamos to Derek and the Dominos, the band decided to take up the new name and undertook a summer tour of England. From late August to early October, working at Criteria Studios in Miami with legendary Atlantic Records producer Tom Dowd, the band recorded Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, a brilliant double album now widely regarded as Clapton's masterpiece. Most of the material, including Layla (which soon became an FM radio staple) was inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd who was married to his best friend George Harrison. Clapton was seeing Pattie secretly at the time and Whitlock was dating her sister. It was not until much later that the affair was open; Boyd moved in with Clapton in 1974 and married him in 1979. However, they were separated in 1985 when Clapton started a relationship with Yvonne Khan Kelly and they divorced in 1988. The two-part song "Layla" was recorded in separate sessions; the opening guitar section was recorded first, with the second section following several months later. The second section was an elegiac piano piece composed and played by drummer Jim Gordon; early on, he objected to it being added onto Layla, but after some arguing among the band's members he finally agreed.
The Layla LP was actually recorded by a five-piece version of the group, thanks to the unforeseen inclusion of slide guitar virtuoso Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. Clapton recorded most of the album while lying on the floor strung out on drugs. The band was heavily into drugs at this time, but, unlike many artists such as The Beatles, Clapton feels this did not hurt the recording process. A few days into the Layla sessions, Dowd, who was also producing the Allmans, invited Clapton to an Allman Brothers outdoor concert in Miami. The two guitarists who previously knew each other only by reputation, met backstage after the show, and then both bands repaired to the studio to jam (an impromptu session which, happily, was captured on tape). Clapton and Allman "fell in love" with each other's playing and became instant friends, so Allman was immediately invited to become the fifth member of The Dominos. (These studio jams were eventually released as part of the 3-CD 20th-anniversary edition of the album.)
When Allman and Clapton met, The Dominos had already recorded three tracks (I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues and Keep On Growing); Allman debuted on the fourth cut, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, and contributed some of his most sublime slide-guitar playing to the remainder of the LP. The album was heavily blues-influenced and featured a winning combination of the twin guitars of Allman and Clapton, with Allman's incendiary slide-guitar a key ingredient of the sound. It showcased some of Clapton's strongest material to date, as well as arguably some of his best guitar playing, with Whitlock also contributing several superb numbers, and his powerful, soul-influenced voice.
The group debuted at the Lyceum Theatre in London on June 14, 1970 where the announcer mispronounced their provisional name of Eric and the Dynamos to Derek and the Dominos, the band decided to take up the new name and undertook a summer tour of England. From late August to early October, working at Criteria Studios in Miami with legendary Atlantic Records producer Tom Dowd, the band recorded Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, a brilliant double album now widely regarded as Clapton's masterpiece. Most of the material, including Layla (which soon became an FM radio staple) was inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd who was married to his best friend George Harrison. Clapton was seeing Pattie secretly at the time and Whitlock was dating her sister. It was not until much later that the affair was open; Boyd moved in with Clapton in 1974 and married him in 1979. However, they were separated in 1985 when Clapton started a relationship with Yvonne Khan Kelly and they divorced in 1988. The two-part song "Layla" was recorded in separate sessions; the opening guitar section was recorded first, with the second section following several months later. The second section was an elegiac piano piece composed and played by drummer Jim Gordon; early on, he objected to it being added onto Layla, but after some arguing among the band's members he finally agreed.
The Layla LP was actually recorded by a five-piece version of the group, thanks to the unforeseen inclusion of slide guitar virtuoso Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. Clapton recorded most of the album while lying on the floor strung out on drugs. The band was heavily into drugs at this time, but, unlike many artists such as The Beatles, Clapton feels this did not hurt the recording process. A few days into the Layla sessions, Dowd, who was also producing the Allmans, invited Clapton to an Allman Brothers outdoor concert in Miami. The two guitarists who previously knew each other only by reputation, met backstage after the show, and then both bands repaired to the studio to jam (an impromptu session which, happily, was captured on tape). Clapton and Allman "fell in love" with each other's playing and became instant friends, so Allman was immediately invited to become the fifth member of The Dominos. (These studio jams were eventually released as part of the 3-CD 20th-anniversary edition of the album.)
When Allman and Clapton met, The Dominos had already recorded three tracks (I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues and Keep On Growing); Allman debuted on the fourth cut, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, and contributed some of his most sublime slide-guitar playing to the remainder of the LP. The album was heavily blues-influenced and featured a winning combination of the twin guitars of Allman and Clapton, with Allman's incendiary slide-guitar a key ingredient of the sound. It showcased some of Clapton's strongest material to date, as well as arguably some of his best guitar playing, with Whitlock also contributing several superb numbers, and his powerful, soul-influenced voice.
Got to Get Better in a Little While
Derek and the Dominos Lyrics
Don't you know what's wrong with me?
I'm seeing things I don't want to see.
Sniffing things that ain't no good for me.
I'm going down fast, won't you say a prayer for me?
[Chorus:]
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
Revolution all across the land.
Just like Sly, you got to take a stand.
Please don't hurt nobody, don't knock them down;
Give them a helping hand to get off the ground.
[Chorus]
Still one thing that you can do;
Fall down on your knees and pray.
I know the Lord's gonna answer you.
Don't do it tomorrow, do it today.
[Chorus]
I'm seeing things I don't want to see.
Sniffing things that ain't no good for me.
I'm going down fast, won't you say a prayer for me?
[Chorus:]
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
Revolution all across the land.
Just like Sly, you got to take a stand.
Please don't hurt nobody, don't knock them down;
Give them a helping hand to get off the ground.
[Chorus]
Still one thing that you can do;
Fall down on your knees and pray.
I know the Lord's gonna answer you.
Don't do it tomorrow, do it today.
[Chorus]
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Lionel Max
Don't you know what's wrong with me?
I'm seeing things I don't want to see.
Sniffing things that ain't no good for me.
I'm going down fast, won't you say a prayer for me?
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
It's got to get better in a little while.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
Revolution all across the land.
Just like sly, you got to take a stand.
Please don't hurt nobody, don't knock them down;
Give them a helping hand to get off the ground.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
Still one thing that you can do;
Fall down on your knees and pray.
I know the lord's gonna answer you.
Don't do it tomorrow, do it today.
The sun's got to shine on my guitar someday.
Dogdrum
Eric Clapton knows the drums. I mean knows...As a drummer myself, that was a part of his artistic genius. When he calls you the best drummer he ever worked with...you are an icon of the instrument. That's Jim Gordon for you. Hope he's found true peace.
EC IS Here
i love your comment. As a EC addict, part his true genius is his ability to put a band together for what sound he wants and all that. BUT not to take away from Gordon, your spot on. I'm not even a drummer and I can tell you to hold that rhythm for that long like Gordon did there is absolute proof how good he was, just by listening to this song. That's perfect timing, only gods can do. I also hope he has found peace. I love you Jim!
Jimmy Cresimore
Oh My ! What an off the cuff performance of soul stretching and progression ... what else can I say ... EC said it all !!! ... Indeed, It's gotta get better in a little while ... for all of us !!!!
eddy71454
When Jim Gordon lays down those 16th notes on the cymbal he picks up the whole song. He played some of the finest studio drum tracks ever. His playing on the Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys album is stunning. Listen to him on My Maria by B.W. Stevenson.
Jerry Kelliker
I did not know he was the drummer on "Low Spark... thanks for the info.
Henry from CO
Have enjoy Clapton's music throughout his career, but I must admit his time with the Dominos was my favorite.
Beverly Landrum
Same. Always puts me in the best mood.
Jim Nesta
The sun was certainly shining on Clapton's guitar during this performance.
Stephen Benedict
Near the end of the Peak Clapton era.
Rick Blackburn
Jim Gordon was one of the most underrated drummers in Rock history nobody very really heard of him until he made it with Clapton