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.
Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Derek and the Dominos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much you tremble in pain?
Have you ever loved a woman
So much you tremble in pain?
And all the time you know
She bears another man's name.
But you just love that woman
You just love that woman
So much it's a shame and a sin.
But all the time you know
She belongs to your very best friend.
Have you ever loved a woman
And you know you can't leave her alone?
Have you ever loved a woman
And you know you can't leave her alone?
Something deep inside of you
Won't let you wreck your best friend's home.
The lyrics of Derek and the Dominos's song "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" reflects a common yet complex theme of love and betrayal. The song explores the emotions that come with loving someone who belongs to another person, particularly when that person is your best friend. The lyrics are raw and honest, describing the intense pain that comes with loving someone who cannot be yours.
The opening lines of the song immediately set the tone and convey the depth of emotion the singer is feeling. The use of the word "tremble" is particularly effective, as it suggests both physical and emotional pain. The repetition of the question "have you ever loved a woman" emphasizes the singer's longing and desperation.
The second verse explores the shame and guilt that the singer feels. While they cannot control their love for this woman, they know that it is wrong to pursue her. The repetition of the line "she belongs to your very best friend" highlights the complexity of the situation and the betrayal that would occur if the singer were to act on their feelings.
The final verse delves into the conflict between love and loyalty. While the singer cannot bear to be without this woman, they also cannot bear to destroy their best friend's home. The use of the phrase "something deep inside of you" suggests a battle between reason and desire. The lyrics ultimately reflect the difficulty of navigating complex emotions and the sacrifices that must sometimes be made for the sake of love and friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever loved a woman
Have you ever experienced the feeling of being in love with a woman
So much you tremble in pain?
So passionately that it brings you both joy and excruciating pain
And all the time you know
Despite your love for her, you are fully aware
She bears another man's name.
That she is in a committed relationship with someone else
But you just love that woman
However, your love for her consumes you
So much it's a shame and a sin.
To the point where it feels sinful and shameful
She belongs to your very best friend.
Your best friend is the person she is committed to and loves
And you know you can't leave her alone?
Despite the complications of the situation, you cannot resist being near her
Something deep inside of you
A feeling that is so profound
Won't let you wreck your best friend's home.
Prevents you from acting on your feelings and tearing apart the happiness of your best friend's relationship
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILLY MYLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@olgami9417
Have you ever loved a woman so much you tremble in pain?
Have you ever loved a woman so much you tremble in pain?
And all the time you know she bears another man's name.
But you just love that woman so much it's a shame and a sin
You just love that woman so much it's a shame and a sin.
But all the time you know she belongs to your very best friend.
Have you ever loved a woman and you know you can't leave her alone?
Have you ever loved a woman and you know you can't leave her alone?
Something deep inside of you won't let you wreck your best friend's home.
@albertdadario8916
One of the best albums ever recorded. Too bad the band didn't stay together.
@Rustino44
Remember when true masters expressed themselves emotionally by playing instruments..God bless America and Long Live The American Blues!
@airsoftcrony6854
but this is a British Band?
@keithpower6611
My favourite blues song of the 70’s. Eric and Duane together are magic
@gilkenson53
for 45 years I have closed my eyes and imagined seeing these two guys trade solos.. Could you imagine sitting in the studio witnessing this!!!!?? Another example of why "Laya and Other Assorted Love Songs" this is my favorite recording of all time..
@MrDave54321
+George Gilkenson - Duane Allman brought out the best in Clapton on this album.
@bluesdog88
Totally with you George, It was the first time I ever heard the blues, at 15 years old I had never hear passion coming out of an instrument like that before, the tears were flowing!
@elvis_chen
God should not take Duane Allman that early :( We can send a LP there!
@tboned5641
Exactly what I think George!!
@j.h.7266
George, this has always been my favorite track on the album. Guitar playing that can’t be described... What a time and place for two legends to converge.