"I was there when they were supposedly sneaking around. You don't sneak very well when you're a world figure. He was all hot on Pattie and I was dating her sister. They had this thing going on that supposedly was behind George's back. Well, George didn't really care. He said, 'You can have her.' That kind of defuses it when Eric says, 'I'm taking your wife' and he says, 'Take her.' They got married and evidently, she wasn't what he wanted after all. The hunt was better than the kill. That happens, but apparently Pattie is real happy now with some guy who's not a guitar player. Good for her and good for Eric for moving on with his life. George got on with his life, that's for sure. "
Terminada la leccion de historia, les contare mas de esta rola. En Diciembre de 1970, Clapton graba esta canción con su banda de aquel entonces Derek and the Dominos, y seria mas tarde relanzada en 1972, pero esta vez ya como solista en el albú, recopilatorio The History of Eric Clapton. Si bien la canción conto con exito tanto por aceptación del publico y por la critica, la canción demostraria una vez mas, estar por encima de todo cuando 20 años despues de haber llegado a lo mas alto de los rankings internacionales, volveria a la cima, en 1992, esta vez en version acustica, una vez mas en la guitarra del gran "Slowhand" en una de las mas maravillosas interprataciones que hizo de su, creo yo, obra maestra.
El nombre que le da titulo al tema, Layla, proviene de un poema Persa (lo que hoy es Irán), escrito por Nezami, titulado "Layla & Majnun" que cuenta la historia de una princesa que por obligada por su padre se casa con otro hombre distinto a quien ella en realidad ama. Recordandonos una vez mas a Pattie, quien ha sido la musa inspiradora no solo de la canción sobre la que hoy les escribo sino tambien de otras como "Something" a cargo de Harrison y Wonderful Tonight de Sir Eric. Y si les parece poco lo que hizo esta señorita, tambien sepan que conquisto los corazones de unos tales, John Lennon, Mick Jagger y Ron Wood.
Antes de dejarlos con la letra, no dejen de escuchar esta canción en sus dos versiones, la original y sobre todo la acústica. Gracias Eric por tantas alegrias, y gracias Pattie por ser la inspiración de tantos musicos grosos, demostrandole al mundo que no hay droga mas fuerte que el cuerpo y el amor de una mujer.
What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.