Lay Down Sally

"Lay Down Sally"
"Lay Down Sally"
Single by Eric Clapton
from the album Slowhand
B-side	"Cocaine"
Released	November 1977
Recorded	Olympic Studios in Barnes, London
Genre	Roots rock; country rock;
Length	3:50
Label	RSO
Songwriter	Eric Clapton · Marcy Levy · George Terry
Producer	Glyn Johns
Eric Clapton singles chronology
Official audio
	"Lay Down Sally" on YouTube

"Lay Down Sally" is a song performed by Eric Clapton, and written by Clapton, Marcy Levy, and George Terry. It appeared on his November 1977 album Slowhand, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background

"Lay Down Sally" is a country blues song performed in the style of J. J. Cale. Clapton also attributed other members of his band – Carl Radle of Oklahoma, George Terry, Jamie Oldaker and others – as influencing the song.^[4] Clapton explained, "It's as close as I can get, being English, but the band being a Tulsa 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."

Billboard magazine described Clapton's vocal as "low key but earthy" and also praised Marcy Levy's backing vocals.^[5] Cash Box praised Clapton's "guitar finesse."^[6]

The single was a crossover country music hit, reaching No. 26 in April 1978, Clapton's best showing on the Hot Country Songs chart. "Lay Down Sally" was a significant part of the soundtrack of the 2013 film August: Osage County, in which the song was played as the intro music and twice more later in the film.^[7]

Personnel

Eric Clapton – lead vocals and lead guitar
George Terry – rhythm guitar
Dick Sims – electric piano
Carl Radle – bass guitar
Jamie Oldaker – drums
Marcy Levy and Yvonne Elliman – harmony vocals

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1977–1978)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart^[8]	57
Canadian Adult Contemporary^[9]	1
Canadian CHUM Singles^[10]	2
Canadian Country Singles^[11]	49
Canadian Singles Chart^[12]	3
French Singles Chart^[13]	12
Hungarian Singles Chart^[14]	2
Italian Singles Chart^[15]	38
Japanese Singles Chart^[16]	5
New Zealand Singles Chart^[17]	16
Swedish Singles Chart^[18]	8
UK Singles Chart^[19]	39
US Billboard Adult Contemporary^[20]	25
US Billboard Country Songs^[21]	26
US Billboard Hot 100^[22]	3
US Cashbox Singles^[23]	3
US Record World Singles^{[citation needed]}	8

Year-end charts

Chart (1978)	Rank
Canadian Singles Chart^[24]	29
Japanese Singles Chart^[16]	81
New Zealand Singles Chart^[25]	47
US Billboard Hot 100^[26]	15
US Cashbox Singles^[27]	16

All-time charts

Chart (1958-2018)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[28]	564

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[29]	Gold	75,000^{^}
Japan (RIAJ)^[16]	Gold
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[25]	Gold	10,000^*
United States (RIAA)^[30]	Gold	1,000,000^{^}
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Covers

Red Sovine, a country singer best known for his sentimental recitations and truck-driving songs, recorded a cover version that – save for the mid-song guitar bridge – closely resembled the Clapton original. Sovine's version reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the summer of 1978, and was the last charting single released in his lifetime.^{[citation needed]}
Jerry Garcia Band covered the song extensively from 1990 to 1995.^[31]
Asleep at the Wheel covered the song on their 1995 album The Wheel Keeps on Rollin'. Their version peaked at number 70 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada in 1996.^[32]

References

^ Welch, Chris (2016). Clapton - Updated Edition: The Ultimate Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-76035-019-5.
^ Don Breithaupt (2007). Steely Dan's Aja. A & C Black. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-8264-2783-0.
^ Welch, Chris (2016). Clapton - Updated Edition: The Ultimate Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-76035-019-5.
^ Pidgeon, John (1985). Eric Clapton: A Biography. Vermillion & Company. p. 103. ISBN 0-09-160161-4.
^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. December 24, 1977. p. 144. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 24, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
^ "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Of 'August: Osage County' To Be Released On" (Press release). PR Newswire.com. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
^ Kent 1993.
^ "RPM Adult Oriented Playlist". RPM Magazine. 29 (4). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. April 22, 1978. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "1050 CHUM – CHUM Charts > Clapton, Eric". CHUM 1050 AM. Canada: CHUM Limited. 2005. Archived from the original on February 22, 2006. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "RPM Country Playlist". RPM Magazine. 29 (8). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. May 20, 1978. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "RPM 100 Top Singles". RPM Magazine. 29 (4). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. April 22, 1978. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ Zameczkowski 1978, p. 82.
^ Wood 1978, p. 75–78.
^ "M&D: Classifiche > Eric Clapton". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Italy: Musicaedischi.it. Look for Clapton releases. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c Tatsaku 2011, p. 43–47.
^ "charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally". Recorded Music NZ. New Zealand: Steffen Hung – Hung Medien. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Sverigetopplistan – Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Sweden: Swedish Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. United Kingdom: Officialcharts.com. January 15, 1978. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Eric Clapton – Chart history | Billboard > Adult Contemporary". Billboard Magazine. United States: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Eric Clapton | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Eric Clapton – Chart history | Billboard > Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. United States: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". Cash Box Magazine. United States: Cashboxmagazine.com. April 8, 1978. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Top 200 Singles of 1978". RPM Magazine. 30 (14). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. December 30, 1978. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ ^a ^b Fuld 1998, p. 175.
^ "Top Pop Singles" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 90 (51). United States: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 82 December 23, 1978. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ Hoffmann 1983, p. 135.
^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
^ "Canadian Music Market" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 90 (12). United States: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 73 March 25, 1978. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "American single certifications – Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
^ "Lay Down Sally". The Jerry Site. Archived from the original on 2014-01-21. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
^ "RPM Country Tracks". RPM. April 15, 1996. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2013.

Bibliography

Fuld, William (1998). The New Zealand Charts – A Red Chart? (3 ed.). Fuld Pressings.
Hoffmann, Frank (1983). The Cash Box Singles Charts, 1950–1981. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0810815957.
Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
Tatsaku, Ren (December 2011). The Oricon Sales Report (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Oricon Style – Recording Industry Association of Japan.
Wood, Gerry (October 21, 1978). "Billboard International" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 90 (42). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
Zameczkowski, Olivier (February 5, 1978). "Hits of the World > France" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 90 (5). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

External links

Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally [Crossroads 2010] (Official Live Video) on YouTube

[1] Welch, Chris (2016). Clapton - Updated Edition: The Ultimate Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-76035-019-5.

[2] Don Breithaupt (2007). Steely Dan's Aja. A & C Black. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-8264-2783-0.

[3] Welch, Chris (2016). Clapton - Updated Edition: The Ultimate Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-76035-019-5.

[4] Pidgeon, John (1985). Eric Clapton: A Biography. Vermillion & Company. p. 103. ISBN 0-09-160161-4.

[5] "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. December 24, 1977. p. 144. Retrieved 2020-07-10.

[cb-6] "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 24, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-26.

[7] "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Of 'August: Osage County' To Be Released On" (Press release). PR Newswire.com. Retrieved 2015-08-04.

[FOOTNOTEKent1993-8] Kent 1993.

[9] "RPM Adult Oriented Playlist". RPM Magazine. 29 (4). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. April 22, 1978. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[10] "1050 CHUM – CHUM Charts > Clapton, Eric". CHUM 1050 AM. Canada: CHUM Limited. 2005. Archived from the original on February 22, 2006. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[11] "RPM Country Playlist". RPM Magazine. 29 (8). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. May 20, 1978. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[12] "RPM 100 Top Singles". RPM Magazine. 29 (4). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. April 22, 1978. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[FOOTNOTEZameczkowski197882-13] Zameczkowski 1978, p. 82.

[FOOTNOTEWood197875–78-14] Wood 1978, p. 75–78.

[15] "M&D: Classifiche > Eric Clapton". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Italy: Musicaedischi.it. Look for Clapton releases. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[FOOTNOTETatsaku201143–47-16] Tatsaku 2011, p. 43–47.

[17] "charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally". Recorded Music NZ. New Zealand: Steffen Hung – Hung Medien. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[GLF-18] "Sverigetopplistan – Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Sweden: Swedish Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[19] "Official Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. United Kingdom: Officialcharts.com. January 15, 1978. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[20] "Eric Clapton – Chart history | Billboard > Adult Contemporary". Billboard Magazine. United States: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[21] "Eric Clapton | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[22] "Eric Clapton – Chart history | Billboard > Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. United States: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[23] "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". Cash Box Magazine. United States: Cashboxmagazine.com. April 8, 1978. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[24] "Top 200 Singles of 1978". RPM Magazine. 30 (14). Canada: Library and Archives Canada. December 30, 1978. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[FOOTNOTEFuld1998175-25] Fuld 1998, p. 175.

[26] "Top Pop Singles" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 90 (51). United States: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 82 December 23, 1978. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[FOOTNOTEHoffmann1983135-27] Hoffmann 1983, p. 135.

[28] "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.

[29] "Canadian Music Market" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 90 (12). United States: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 73 March 25, 1978. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[United_StatesEric_ClaptonLay_Down_SallysingleCertRef-30] "American single certifications – Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

[31] "Lay Down Sally". The Jerry Site. Archived from the original on 2014-01-21. Retrieved 2014-01-18.

[32] "RPM Country Tracks". RPM. April 15, 1996. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2013.

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v t e Eric Clapton
Albums discography Singles discography Videography
Studio albums	Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard There's One in Every Crowd No Reason to Cry Slowhand Backless Another Ticket Money and Cigarettes Behind the Sun August Journeyman From the Cradle Pilgrim Reptile Me and Mr. Johnson / Sessions for Robert J Back Home Clapton Old Sock I Still Do Happy Xmas Meanwhile
Live albums	Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert E. C. Was Here Just One Night Time Pieces Vol.II Live in the Seventies 24 Nights Unplugged Crossroads 2: Live in the Seventies One More Car, One More Rider Live in San Diego Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 To Save a Child: An Intimate Live Concert
Compilations	The History of Eric Clapton Eric Clapton at His Best Clapton Steppin' Out Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton Backtrackin' The Cream of Eric Clapton Crossroads Story The Cream of Clapton Blues Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Eric Clapton Complete Clapton Forever Man
Singles	"After Midnight" / "Easy Now" "Blues Power" / "Bottle of Red Wine" "Let It Rain" "I Shot the Sheriff" / "Give Me Strength" "Willie and the Hand Jive" "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" "Hello Old Friend" "Carnival" "Lay Down Sally" / "Cocaine" "Wonderful Tonight" "Tulsa Time" "Promises" / "Watch Out for Lucy" "Early in the Morning (Live)" "I Can't Stand It" "I've Got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart" "Crosscut Saw" "Forever Man" "See What Love Can Do" "It's in the Way That You Use It" "Behind the Mask" "Tearing Us Apart" "Pretending" / "Before You Accuse Me" "Hound Dog" "Bad Love" "Tears in Heaven" / "White Room (Live)" "Layla (Acoustic)" "Down & Out" "Motherless Child" / "Driftin'" "Change the World" "Born in Time" "Circus" "My Father's Eyes" "Pilgrim" "Blue Eyes Blue" "(I) Get Lost" "Come Rain or Come Shine" / "Ten Long Years" "3 O'Clock Blues" "Key to the Highway" "Worried Life Blues" "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" "Every Little Thing" / "No Sympathy"
Soundtracks	Edge of Darkness Homeboy Rush
Concert films	Live 1986 The Cream of Eric Clapton Live in Hyde Park In Concert: A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua Sessions for Robert J Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004 Live at Montreux 1986 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 Planes, Trains and Eric Slowhand at 70 – Live at the Royal Albert Hall Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019
Collaborations	Riding with the King The Road to Escondido Live from Madison Square Garden Play the Blues: Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale "I Wish It Would Rain Down" "It's Probably Me" "Runaway Train" "Love Can Build a Bridge"
Tours	Journeyman World Tour George Harrison–Eric Clapton 1991 Japanese Tour Reptile World Tour 2019 Eric Clapton World Tour
Bands	The Yardbirds John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers The All-Stars Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse Cream Blind Faith Delaney & Bonnie Derek and the Dominos
Related	Blackie Brownie The Fool Marshall Bluesbreaker Signature Stratocaster Crossroads Centre Crossroads Guitar Festival Pattie Boyd George Harrison Ferrari SP12 EC Va Bene Wonderful Today "Clapton is God" On Tour with Eric Clapton Nothing but the Blues Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars

v t e Asleep at the Wheel
Ray Benson David Sanger Katie Shore Dennis Ludiker Connor Forsyth Josh Hoag Flavio Pasquetto Joey Colarusso Lucky Oceans LeRoy Preston Danny Levin Gene Dobkin Chris O'Connell Emily Paxton Floyd Domino Tony Garnier Richard Casanova Scott Hennige Ed Vizard Link Davis Jr. Bill Mabry Pat "Taco" Ryan Johnny Nicholas Fran Christina Spencer Starnes Dean DeMerritt Maryann Price Bobby Black Brenda Burns Falkner Evans Paul Anastasio Billy Estes Dan Tyack Michael Francis Wally Murphy Jann Browne Steve Schwelling Tom Anastasio Roy McCrory Richard Hormachea Billy Cochran Tim Alexander Larry Franklin Mike Grammar Junior Brown John Ely David Dawson Jon Mitchell Ricky Turpin David Earl Miller Cindy Cashdollar Tommy Beavers Barbara Lamb Monty Gaylord Jason Roberts Chris Booher Rosie Flores John Michael Whitby Jim Murphy Haydn Vitera Eddie Rivers Elizabeth McQueen Walt Roberts Dan Walton Jay Reynolds Emily Gimble Chloe Feoranzo
Studio albums	Comin' Right at Ya Asleep at the Wheel Texas Gold Wheelin' and Dealin' The Wheel Collision Course Framed Pasture Prime 10 Western Standard Time Keepin' Me Up Nights The Wheel Keeps on Rollin' Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all The Very Best of Asleep at the Wheel Hang Up My Spurs Asleep at the Wheel Remembers the Alamo Reinventing the Wheel Willie and the Wheel (with Willie Nelson) New Routes Half a Hundred Years
Tribute albums	Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys Ride with Bob: A Tribute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
Live albums	Served Live Greatest Hits: Live & Kickin' Back to the Future Now: Live at Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas Live at Billy Bob's Texas Live from Austin, TX
Compilations	Swing Time Route 66 The Swingin' Best of Asleep at the Wheel
Extended plays	Better Times
Singles	"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read" "Route 66 " "The House of Blue Lights " "Walk On By" "Hot Rod Lincoln" "Corrine, Corrina" "Lay Down Sally"
Other songs	"Boot Scootin' Boogie" "Cherokee Maiden" "Roly Poly"
Related articles	Band members Discography

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