‘Wonderful Tonight’ is a ballad written by Eric Clapton. It was included on Clapton's 1977 album Slowhand. Clapton wrote the song about Pattie Boyd. The female vocal harmonies on the song are provided by Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman.
Clapton wrote 'Wonderful Tonight' whilst waiting for his then-girlfriend and future wife Pattie Boyd to get ready for a night out together in 1976. By the time she had got herself prepared, Clapton had written the entirety of the song. Pattie later recalled that Eric "was sitting round playing his guitar while I was trying on dresses upstairs." "I was taking so long and I was panicking about my hair, my clothes, everything, and I came downstairs expecting him to really berate me but he said, 'Listen to this!'" It has since become one of his most memorable songs, and dedicated it to his wife in concert the day after they married, pulling her on stage at a show in Tucson, Arizona.
Pattie was married to George Harrison when Clapton expressed his love for her on the song ‘Layla.’ Clapton and Harrison remained good friends, and Harrison even played at their wedding in 1979. Eric and Pattie divorced in 1988. Pattie was the inspiration behind several songs. George Harrison wrote ‘Something’ and ‘For You Blue’ for her, while she inspired Clapton to write this, ‘Layla,’ ‘Why Does Love Have To Be So Sad,’ and ‘Forever Man.’
Billboard described ‘Wonderful Tonight’ as "perhaps Clapton's prettiest and mellowest love ballad in some time." Billboard particularly praised Clapton's guitar playing during the interludes. Cash Box said that "Eric’s singing is superbly understated; the guitar work is simple and evocative" and praised "the gentle beat and organ accompaniment." Record World called it a "light, pretty ballad from [the album] that should also move quickly up the charts" and praised Clapton's singing."
In 1988, Clapton appeared in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert as a guest guitarist for Dire Straits. The group became his backing musicians for a surprise performance of ‘Wonderful Tonight’ during their set.
Label – RSO
Songwriter – Eric Clapton
Producer – Glyn Johns
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]It's late in the evening, she's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight"
[Verse 2]
We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me
And then she asks me "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight"
[Bridge]
I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you
[Verse 3]
It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight"