Quotes from Eric Clapton

My original interests and intentions in guitar playing were primarily created on quality of tone, for instance, the way the instrument could be made to echo or simulate the human voice.

I often enjoy singing in an acoustic setting more than an amplified one.

I remember when I thought of singing as the bit that went between the guitar playing - something I couldn't wait to get out of the way. Singing was originally like a chore that I didn't really enjoy.

One summer I remember, I got exposed to Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly and Buddy Holly was a very very big, made a very big impression on me. Because of a lot of things, you know, the way he looked and his charisma.

It's taken me to be an older guy, an old man, to have an old man's voice. Because I only liked old men's voices. As a kid, I didn't like pip-squeaked singers.

And if I don't be there by morning, she'll know that I must've spent the night in jail.

Music survives everything, and like God, it is always present. It needs no help, and suffers no hindrance.

Music became a healer for me. And I learned to listen with all my being. I found that it could wipe away all fear and confusion.

Musically, he was like an old man in a boy's skin.

I couldn't believe how good Jimi Hendrix was It was a really difficult thing for me to deal with, but I just had to surrender and say, 'This is fantastic.'

But I did go to music really early on, even when I was 4 or 5, I was responding to music probably in ways other kids were not.

My driving philosophy about making music is that you can reduce it all down to one note if that note is played with the right kind of sincerity.

Music will always find its way to us, with or without business, politics, religion, or any other bullshit attached.

For me there is something primitively soothing about this music, and it went straight to my nervous system, making me feel ten feet tall.

I thought, 'My God, this is like Buddy Guy on acid.'

So there I was in Hollywood, thinking I was doing good.

The first band I identified with from Chicago was the Muddy Waters band.

I used to do crazy things that people would bail me out of, and I'm just grateful that I survived. But the music got very lost; I didn't know where I was going, and I didn't really care. I was more into just having a good time, and I think it showed.

When I'm wrong it's never meant for you, so don't confuse my love with what I do.

I just like the company of beautiful women. I have a weakness in that department. And I suppose because I am fairly well off and a famous musician, I'm up for grabs. And that makes me an eligible bachelor in the press.

The first guitar I ever had was a gut-string Spanish guitar, and I couldn't really get the hang of it. I was only 13, and I talked my grandparents into buying it for me. I tried and tried and tried, but got nowhere with it.

I got a problem, can you relate? I got a woman calling love hate.

Plant your love and let it grow.

I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes, and the wonder of it all is you just don't realize how much I love you.