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.
Is My Love
Derek and the Dominos Lyrics
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If you try to hide it, it's gonna shine even more
Even if you lose it, it will find you
There's no way to stop it, but they'll try to
Running like a river trying to find the ocean
Flowers in the concrete
Climbing over fences, blooming in the shadows
Places that you can't see
Love is a wild thing, yeah
Oh, I can feel it, magic in your fingertips
And I can hear it in the words coming off your lips
Even if you lose me, I will find you
There's no way to stop it, so don't try to
Running like a river trying to find the ocean
Flowers in the concrete
Climbing over fences, blooming in the shadows
Places that you can't see
Coming through the melody when the night bird sings
Love is a wild thing
These lyrics from Derek and the Dominos's song "Is My Love" are all about the power and endurance of love. The first two lines set the scene by emphasizing that love cannot be bought or hidden - it is something that is always there, shining constantly. The following lines reinforce this idea, stating that even when it seems like love has been lost, it will eventually find you again. The song goes on to describe how love is like a river, flowing and moving without any boundaries. It can even flourish in difficult circumstances, like flowers growing through concrete or climbing over fences in the shadows where no one can see them.
The final lines drive home the message of the song, emphasizing that love is a wild, unpredictable force that cannot be controlled or stopped. The idea of love coming through the melody when the night bird sings is particularly powerful, suggesting that love is a universal force that transcends time and place. Overall, these lyrics offer a deep reflection on the nature of love and its ability to persist no matter what obstacles it may face.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't find it sitting on a shelf in a store
Love cannot be purchased or obtained through material goods.
If you try to hide it, it's gonna shine even more
Love is a powerful force that becomes even stronger when it is suppressed or hidden.
Even if you lose it, it will find you
Love is persistent and will always come back, even if it seems to have been lost.
There's no way to stop it, but they'll try to
Although love cannot be stopped, some people will still try to prevent it from blossoming or flourishing.
Running like a river trying to find the ocean
Love has a powerful flow and direction, akin to a river seeking its ultimate destination.
Flowers in the concrete
Love can thrive and flourish even in adverse conditions or environments.
Climbing over fences, blooming in the shadows
Love can overcome obstacles and bloom even in the darkest or most difficult circumstances.
Places that you can't see
Love can exist in invisible or unnoticeable forms, yet still be potent and impactful.
Coming through the melody when the night bird sings
Love can be expressed through music and nature, reaching us in unexpected ways.
Love is a wild thing, yeah
Love has a fierce and unpredictable nature, but it is also beautiful and transformative.
Oh, I can feel it, magic in your fingertips
There is a mystical, enchanting quality to the physical connection and touch of lovers.
And I can hear it in the words coming off your lips
Love can be expressed in words, which can be just as powerful and meaningful as physical touch.
Even if you lose me, I will find you
Love will always find a way to connect and reunite, even if it seems to have been lost or forgotten.
There's no way to stop it, so don't try to
Love is unstoppable and cannot be prevented, so it is best to embrace and celebrate it.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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