"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally recorded by Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). Its contrasting movements were composed separately by Clapton and Gordon. The piano part has also been controversially credited to Rita Coolidge, Gordon's girlfriend at the time.

The song was inspired by a love story that originated in 7th-century Arabia and later formed the basis of The Story of Layla and Majnun by the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given to Clapton. The book moved Clapton profoundly, because it was the tale of a young man who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful young girl, went crazy and so could not marry her. The song was further inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend and fellow musician George Harrison of the Beatles. Clapton and Boyd eventually married.

"Layla" has since its release experienced great critical and popular acclaim, and is often hailed as being among the greatest rock songs of all time. Two versions have achieved chart success, the first in 1972 and the second (without the piano coda) 20 years later as an acoustic Unplugged performance by Clapton. In 2004, "Layla" was ranked number 27 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and the acoustic version won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

Lyrics

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

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

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

Songwriters: Eric Patrick Clapton / Jim Gordon

Layla lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc