Lay Down Sally – Eric Clapton

Lay Down Sally is such a feel-good country-blues rocker and contains some nifty guitar playing by English singer-songwriter Eric Clapton. Clapton’s lead guitar and George Terry’s rhythm guitar have these cool interlocking riffs and counterpoints, all locked into the upbeat, tight band rhythm.

Eric’s low-key, earthy lead vocals are wonderfully supported by the sparkling ladies’ backing vocals. The song is a stark contrast to his typical blues-heavy style. It’s more of a relaxed, laid-back summer vibe that sounds so agreeable to the ears. It’s easy to see why Lay Down Sally became one of Eric’s biggest American hits, reaching No. 3 on the US Billboard.

I’m not sure how I let this song slip through the cracks over the years, but I’m sure glad to have been reunited with it. It was one of our go-to songs from Eric’s catalogue that we often played as we got ready to head out on the town. The sound is such a congenial mood setter.

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The following are snippets from Wikipedia:

Clapton explained the influence of Oklahoma based band mates:

“It’s as close as I can get, being English, but the band being a Tulsa (Oklahoma) band, they play like that naturally. You couldn’t get them to do an English rock sound, no way. Their idea of a driving beat isn’t being loud or anything. It’s subtle.

Lay Down Sally was released on Clapton’s 1977 record – Slow Hand which was recorded in Olympic Studios in Barnes, London.

It is a country blues song performed in the style of J. J. Cale.

John Weldon “JJ” Cale (December 5, 1938 – July 26, 2013) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though he avoided the limelight, his influence as a musical artist has been acknowledged by figures such as Neil Young, Mark Knopfler, Waylon Jennings, and Eric Clapton, who described him as one of the most important artists in rock history. He is one of the originators of the Tulsa sound, a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country, and jazz.

[Verse 1]
There is nothing that is wrong
In wanting you to stay here with me
I know you’ve got somewhere to go
But won’t you make yourself at home and stay with me?
And don’t you ever leave

[Chorus]
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don’t you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon
I’ve been trying all night long just to talk to you

[Verse 2]
Sun ain’t nearly on the rise
We still got the moon and stars above
Underneath the velvet skies, love is all that matters
Won’t you stay with me?
Don’t you ever leave

[Chorus]
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don’t you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon
I’ve been trying all night long just to talk to you

[Verse 3]
I long to see the morning light
Coloring your face so dreamily
So don’t you go and say goodbye
You can lay your worries down and stay with me
Don’t you ever leave

[Chorus]
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don’t you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, there’s no need to leave so soon
I’ve been trying all night long just to talk to you
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don’t you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, there’s no need to leave so soon
I’ve been trying all night long just to talk to you

References:
1. Lay Down Sally – Wikipedia