What Do the Lyrics to the Eric Clapton Song “Layla” Mean?

Unrequited love—is there anything more painful? Indeed, such is the inspiration for the all-time classic rock song by Eric Clapton. The six-string artist took from his own experience and that of a classic tale centuries old.

Let’s dive into the meaning of the song “Layla” by Eric Clapton below.

George Harrison

The story of Eric Clapton and “Layla” must begin with George Harrison, the former Beatle. Harrison married model Pattie Boyd in 1966. Not long after, Clapton and Harrison, who already knew each other from the Beatles days, became close pals and Clapton was introduced to Boyd, whom he quickly fell in love with. The song, therefore, is one of unrequited love, the strong, yearning, painful love that Clapton had for Boyd.

One might think Clapton a bit skeevy for writing such a passionate song for another person’s spouse, but, hey, it was the swingin’ 1960s and 1970s, right?

What will you do when you get lonely
No one waiting by your side?
You’ve been running, hiding much too long
You know it’s just your foolish pride

Layla, got me on my knees
Layla, begging, darling, please Layla
Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

Tried to give you consolation
Your old man had let you down
Like a fool, I fell in love with you
You turned my whole world upside down

Layla and Majnun

The title of the song, which was co-written by Jim Gordon for the Clapton-led band Derek and the Dominos, was inspired by the Arab story, Layla and Majnun, which is also about unrequited love. Reading the story, which was introduced to him by pal Ian Dallas, who was then converting to Islam, Clapton found solace in the fact that others had gone through what he was going through in real time. He took the name from the story and sang out “Layla” instead of “Pattie.”

Happy Ending

Harrison and Boyd broke up in 1977 and the former model and Clapton later wed in 1979 during a gig on tour in Tucson, Arizona. Harrison attended their wedding, in fact, with former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Also in 1977, Clapton wrote the song “Wonderful Tonight” for his bride-to-be.

Sad Ending

Clapton and Boyd divorced in 1989. Nevertheless, the song lives on, including earning Clapton a Grammy Award in 1993 for Best Rock Song for its MTV Unplugged version.

.Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images