4. Derek & The Dominos - Layla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSquiIVLhrQ Written by: Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon of Derek and the Dominos; released in 1971. Who it's about: George Harrison's wife, model Pattie Boyd. Written by Eric Clapton during his time with the band Derek & The Dominos, Layla, which was inspired by a Persian love story, speaks of an unrequited love. The song is also autobiographical for Clapton: at the time, he was madly in love with the model Pattie Boyd - who just so happened to be the wife of The Beatle's guitarist, and Clapton's close friend, George Harrison. During the late 1960s, despite Boyd's initial reluctance, Boyd and Clapton began an affair. During their relationship, Clapton wrote another song about his lover, entitled Wonderful Tonight. The affair eventually led to the divorce of Harrison and Boyd and, two years later, the marriage of Clapton and Boyd, but unfortunately, they too were divorced ten years later. Despite seeing little initial success, "Layla" has since become widely popular and highly acclaimed, and is often touted as one of rock's greatest love songs.