# Backless

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For the dress type, see [Backless dress](/source/Backless_dress).

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1978 studio album by Eric Clapton

Backless Studio album by Eric Clapton Released November 1978 Recorded 1978 Studio Olympic, London[1] Genre Rock Length 41:01 Label RSO Producer Glyn Johns Eric Clapton chronology Slowhand (1977) Backless (1978) Just One Night (1980) Singles from Backless "Promises" Released: September 1978 "Watch Out for Lucy" Released: September 1978

***Backless*** is the sixth solo studio album by [Eric Clapton](/source/Eric_Clapton), released in November 1978. Produced by [Glyn Johns](/source/Glyn_Johns), and released by [RSO Records](/source/RSO_Records), *Backless* reached no. 8 on the pop charts. While the single "[Promises](/source/Promises_(Eric_Clapton_song))" only reached no. 37 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart), it was a much bigger success in the US, reaching no. 9 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100). The follow-up single, "[Watch Out for Lucy](/source/Watch_Out_for_Lucy)", was the [B-side](/source/A-side_and_B-side) of "Promises", but reached no. 40 on the *Billboard* 100 on its own merit. It was Clapton's last studio album to feature his longtime bassist [Carl Radle](/source/Carl_Radle), who died in 1980.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [2] Christgau's Record Guide B−[3] The Rolling Stone Album Guide [4]

*[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)* noted that "there is none of the old spectacular playing—the emphasis is definitely on mellow funkiness—but the duet he plays on 'Roll It' with singer Marci Levy has some eloquent licks all the same."[5]

## Track listing

**Side one**

1. "Walk Out in the Rain" ([Bob Dylan](/source/Bob_Dylan), [Helena Springs](/source/Helena_Springs)) – 4:16

1. "[Watch Out for Lucy](/source/Watch_Out_for_Lucy)" ([Eric Clapton](/source/Eric_Clapton)) – 3:26

1. "[I'll Make Love to You Anytime](/source/I'll_Make_Love_to_You_Anytime)" ([J. J. Cale](/source/J._J._Cale)) – 3:23

1. "Roll It" (Clapton, [Marcy Levy](/source/Marcy_Levy)) – 3:42

1. "Tell Me That You Love Me" (Clapton) – 3:31

**Side two**

1. "If I Don't Be There by Morning" (Dylan, Springs) – 4:38

1. "[Early in the Morning](/source/Early_in_the_Morning_(Sonny_Boy_Williamson_I_song))" (Traditional, arranged by Clapton) – 5:25

1. "[Promises](/source/Promises_(Eric_Clapton_song))" ([Richard Feldman](/source/Richard_Feldman_(songwriter)), [Roger Linn](/source/Roger_Linn)) – 3:04

1. "Golden Ring" (Clapton) – 3:32

1. "[Tulsa Time](/source/Tulsa_Time)" ([Danny Flowers](/source/Danny_Flowers)) – 3:28

**Note:** "Early in the Morning" is extended to 7:58 on CD editions of the album.

## Singles

- 1978 – "[Promises](/source/Promises_(Eric_Clapton_song))" (No. 37 [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart); No. 9 US [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100))

- 1978 – "[Watch Out for Lucy](/source/Watch_Out_for_Lucy)" (No. 40 US *Billboard* Hot 100)

## Personnel

- [Eric Clapton](/source/Eric_Clapton) – guitars, lead vocals

- Dick Sims – organ, piano

- [George Terry](/source/George_Terry_(musician)) – guitars

- [Carl Radle](/source/Carl_Radle) – bass, backing vocals

- [Jamie Oldaker](/source/Jamie_Oldaker) – drums, percussion, backing vocals

- [Marcy Levy](/source/Marcy_Levy) – backing vocals, lead vocals on "Roll It"

- [Benny Gallagher](/source/Benny_Gallagher) and [Graham Lyle](/source/Graham_Lyle) – backing vocals on "Golden Ring"

## Production

- Producer and engineer – Glyn Johns

- Assistant engineer – [Jon Astley](/source/Jon_Astley)

- Art direction and design – David Stewart and Nello

- Photography – Nello

- Additional photography – [Rob Fraboni](/source/Rob_Fraboni), Andy Seymour and Laura K. Sims.

## Charts

Chart (1978–1979) Peak position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[6] 16 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[7] 24 Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[8] 6 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[9] 22 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[10] 28 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[11] 53 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[12] 22 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[13] 2 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 28 UK Albums (OCC)[15] 18 US Billboard 200[16] 8

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales Canada (Music Canada)[17] Platinum 100,000^ United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 60,000^ United States (RIAA)[19] Platinum 1,000,000^ ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Olympic Studios Records - Archive"](https://olympicstudiosrecords.co.uk/archive). *Olympicstudiosrecords.co.uk*. Retrieved 5 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Ruhlmann, William. ["Eric Clapton - *Backless*"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/backless-mw0000189372). *AllMusic*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Christgau, Robert](/source/Robert_Christgau) (1981). ["Consumer Guide '70s: C"](https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=C&bk=70). *[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies](/source/Christgau's_Record_Guide%3A_Rock_Albums_of_the_Seventies)*. [Ticknor & Fields](/source/Ticknor_%26_Fields). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [089919026X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/089919026X). Retrieved 23 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RS_4-0)** *The Rolling Stone Album Guide*. Random House. 1992. pp. 135, 136.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Backless Eric Clapton". *The Globe and Mail*. 15 November 1978. p. F9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Kent, David](/source/David_Kent_(historian)) (1993). *Australian Chart Book 1970–1992* (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-646-11917-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-646-11917-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Austria_Eric_Clapton_7-0)** "[Austriancharts.at – Eric Clapton – Backless](https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Eric+Clapton&titel=Backless&cat=a)" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Canada_Eric_Clapton_8-0)** "[Top RPM Albums: Image 0102a](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0102a&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0102a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0102a)". *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Netherlands_Eric_Clapton_9-0)** "[Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Backless](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Eric+Clapton&titel=Backless&cat=a)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Eric Clapton". [*Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021*](https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=48) (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005* (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: [Oricon Entertainment](/source/Oricon). 2006. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [4-87131-077-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/4-87131-077-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_New_Zealand_Eric_Clapton_12-0)** "[Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Backless](https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Eric+Clapton&titel=Backless&cat=a)". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Norway_Eric_Clapton_13-0)** "[Norwegiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Backless](https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Eric+Clapton&titel=Backless&cat=a)". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Sweden_Eric_Clapton_14-0)** "[Swedishcharts.com – Eric Clapton – Backless](https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Eric+Clapton&titel=Backless&cat=a)". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_UK2_15-0)** "[Official Albums Chart on 3/12/1978 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19781203/7502/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Billboard200_Eric_Clapton_16-0)** "[Eric Clapton Chart History (*Billboard* 200)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Eric-Clapton/chart-history/TLP)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CanadaEric_ClaptonBacklessalbumCertRef_17-0)** ["Canadian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless"](https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Backless%20Eric+Clapton). [Music Canada](/source/Music_Canada). Retrieved 1 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_KingdomEric_ClaptonBacklessalbumCertRef_18-0)** ["British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved 1 January 2016. *Select*albums*in the Formats field.* *Type*Backless Eric Clapton*in the "Search:" field.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_StatesEric_ClaptonBacklessalbumCertRef_19-0)** ["American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Backless"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Eric+Clapton&ti=Backless&format=Album&type=#search_section). [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America). Retrieved 1 January 2016.

v t e Eric Clapton Albums discography Singles discography Videography Studio albums Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard There's One in Every Crowd No Reason to Cry Slowhand Backless Another Ticket Money and Cigarettes Behind the Sun August Journeyman From the Cradle Pilgrim Reptile Me and Mr. Johnson Sessions for Robert J Back Home Clapton Old Sock I Still Do Happy Xmas Meanwhile Live albums Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert E. C. Was Here Just One Night Time Pieces Vol.II Live in the Seventies 24 Nights Unplugged Crossroads 2: Live in the Seventies One More Car, One More Rider Live in San Diego Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 To Save a Child: An Intimate Live Concert Compilations The History of Eric Clapton Eric Clapton at His Best Clapton Steppin' Out Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton Backtrackin' The Cream of Eric Clapton Crossroads Story The Cream of Clapton Blues Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Eric Clapton Complete Clapton Forever Man Singles "After Midnight" / "Easy Now" "Blues Power" / "Bottle of Red Wine" "Let It Rain" "I Shot the Sheriff" / "Give Me Strength" "Willie and the Hand Jive" "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" "Hello Old Friend" "Carnival" "Lay Down Sally" / "Cocaine" "Wonderful Tonight" "Tulsa Time" "Promises" / "Watch Out for Lucy" "Early in the Morning (Live)" "I Can't Stand It" "I've Got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart" "Crosscut Saw" "Forever Man" "See What Love Can Do" "It's in the Way That You Use It" "Behind the Mask" "Tearing Us Apart" "Pretending" / "Before You Accuse Me" "Hound Dog" "Bad Love" "Tears in Heaven" / "White Room (Live)" "Layla (Acoustic)" "Down & Out" "Motherless Child" / "Driftin'" "Change the World" "Born in Time" "Circus" "My Father's Eyes" "Pilgrim" "Blue Eyes Blue" "(I) Get Lost" "Come Rain or Come Shine" / "Ten Long Years" "3 O'Clock Blues" "Key to the Highway" "Worried Life Blues" "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" "Every Little Thing" / "No Sympathy" Soundtracks Edge of Darkness Homeboy Rush Concert films Live 1986 The Cream of Eric Clapton Live in Hyde Park In Concert: A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua Sessions for Robert J Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004 Live at Montreux 1986 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 Planes, Trains and Eric Slowhand at 70 – Live at the Royal Albert Hall Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 Collaborations Riding with the King The Road to Escondido Live from Madison Square Garden Play the Blues: Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale "I Wish It Would Rain Down" "It's Probably Me" "Runaway Train" "Love Can Build a Bridge" Tours Journeyman World Tour George Harrison–Eric Clapton 1991 Japanese Tour Reptile World Tour 2019 Eric Clapton World Tour Bands The Yardbirds John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers The All-Stars Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse Cream Blind Faith Delaney & Bonnie Derek and the Dominos Plastic Ono Band Related Blackie Brownie The Fool Marshall Bluesbreaker Signature Stratocaster Crossroads Centre Crossroads Guitar Festival Pattie Boyd George Harrison Ferrari SP12 EC Va Bene Wonderful Today "Clapton is God" On Tour with Eric Clapton Nothing but the Blues Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars "The Child Will Fly"

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Backless](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backless) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backless?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.