Login
Login

Wonderful Tonight#Damage version

{{Short description|1977 single by Eric Clapton}}

{{For|the racehorse|Wonderful Tonight (horse)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Wonderful Tonight

| cover = Wonderful Tonight cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Eric Clapton

| album = Slowhand

| B-side = Peaches and Diesel

| released = {{start date|1978|3|10|df=y}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Soft rock

| length = 3:45

| label = RSO

| writer = Eric Clapton

| producer = Glyn Johns

| prev_title = Lay Down Sally

| prev_year = 1977

| next_title = Promises

| next_year = 1978

}}

"Wonderful Tonight" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton. It was included on Clapton's 1977 album Slowhand. Clapton wrote the song on his 1974 Martin D-28 guitar about Pattie Boyd.{{cite book|title= The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: From arenas to the underground, 1974–1980 |author= Chris Smith |editor= Greenwood Press |year= 2006 |isbn= 978-0-313-33611-9 |page= 102}} "the hard-rock pioneer and guitar god also become a soft-rock star in the mid-1970s. He celebrated his sobriety with (... ) the Top 5 hit "Lay Down Sally" and hit No. 16 with the ballad "Wonderful Tonight," both off his 1977 Slowhand album" The female vocal harmonies on the song are provided by Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman. It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 15, 1978, spending seven weeks in the top 40.

Background

On 7 September 1976, Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" for then-girlfriend Pattie Boyd while waiting for her to get ready to attend Paul and Linda McCartney's annual Buddy Holly party.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} The song is mentioned in her 2007 autobiographical book Wonderful Today.

Reception

Billboard described "Wonderful Tonight" as "perhaps Clapton's prettiest and mellowest love ballad in some time."{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|title=Top Single Picks|access-date=10 July 2020|page=96|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-05-06.pdf|date=6 May 1978}} 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."{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=May 6, 1978|page=18|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-05-06.pdf}} Record World called it a "light, pretty ballad from [the album Slowhand] that should also move quickly up the charts" and praised Clapton's singing."{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=May 6, 1978|accessdate=2023-02-13|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-05-05.pdf}}

Personnel

Performance

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.

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
style="width:17em;"|Chart (1978)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Canada (CHUM){{cite web |url=http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?artist=7675 |title=1050 CHUM – CHUM Charts |access-date=24 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222003516/http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?artist=7675 |archive-date=22 February 2006 }}. CHUM. Retrieved 15 August 2015.

|align="center"|16

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4615a&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=u9874ano8k0c5b6bkp4r8qrbp3|title=Top Singles – Volume 29, No. 18, July 29, 1978|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=30 July 2015}}

|align="center"|15

scope="row"|France (IFOP){{cite book|first=Heidé|last=Gustave|title=Le Singles Argent de la SNEP (1978)|edition=43|location=Paris|publisher=Decovert|language=fr|quote='Wonderful Tonight' spent 17 weeks on the national french singles chart and peaked at number three. It was requested to be certified silver. The certification was awarded on the last week, 'Wonderful Tonight' charted in France.}}

|align="center"|3

{{single chart|Ireland2|13|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2015}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|26|artist=Eric Clapton|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2015}}
scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/slowhand-mw0000189410/awards|title=Slowhand – Eric Clapton – Awards – AllMusic|work=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=30 July 2015}}

|align="center"|16

scope="row"|US Billboard Adult Contemporary{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=50}}

|align="center"|39

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
style="width:17em;"|Chart (1988)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Flanders|5|artist=Eric Clapton|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2015}}
scope="row"|Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.radio2.be/top-30/artiest/1083|title=Radio2 Top 30 Artiest: Eric Clapton|work=VRT|publisher=Top30-2.radio2.be|language=nl|access-date=30 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927084834/http://www.radio2.be/top-30/artiest/1083|archive-date=27 September 2015}}

|align="center"|6

{{single chart|Dutch40|3|artist=Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2015}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|2|artist=Eric Clapton|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2015|refname="d100"}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
style="width:17em;"|Chart (1991–1992)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Japan International Singles (Oricon){{cite web|url=http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~hbr/JPP1.htm |title=List of number-one singles on the Japanese Oricon International Chart (1968-2000) |publisher=Original Confidence |language=Japanese |access-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421200743/http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~hbr/JPP1.htm |archive-date=21 April 2015}}

|align="center"|1

{{single chart|UK|30|date=19911130|rowheader=true|note=Live version|access-date=28 June 2023}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="width:19.2em;"|Chart (2009)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/eric-clapton-wonderful-tonight |title=Official Singles Chart: Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=28 June 2023}}

| align="center"|81

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="width:15em;"|Chart (1978)

!Position

scope="row"|Canadian Top Singles (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0070b&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=v2a76h62to0aart05gg0u3agj2|title=Top Singles – Volume 30, No. 14, December 30, 1978|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=15 August 2015}}

|align="center"|144

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
style="width:15em;"|Chart (1988)

!Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1988|title=Jaaroverzichten 1988|publisher=ultratop.be – Stefan Hung – Hung Medien|work=Ultratop Charts|access-date=15 August 2015}}

|align="center"|39

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1988|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=28 March 2021}}

|align="center"|14

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1988&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 1988|publisher=dutchcharts.nl – Stefan Hung – Hung Medien|work=MegaCharts.nl|access-date=15 August 2015}}

|align="center"|9

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Wonderful Tonight"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1977|region=Denmark|award=Gold|certyear=2020|artist=Eric Clapton|title=Wonderful Tonight|access-date=16 August 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1977|region=Italy|award=Gold|certyear=2021|artist=Eric Clapton|title=Wonderful Tonight|access-date=November 8, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1977|region=Japan|award=Million|artist=エリック・クラプトン|title=ワンダフル・トゥナイト|certyear=1992|certmonth=3|access-date=16 August 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=2004|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|certyear=2021|artist=Eric Clapton|title=Wonderful Tonight|id=12965-546-1|access-date=18 June 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=2004|region=United States|award=Gold|certyear=2005|artist=Eric Clapton|title=Wonderful Tonight|access-date=16 August 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=yes}}

Cover versions

=Damage version=

{{Infobox song

| name = Wonderful Tonight

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Damage

| album = Forever

| B-side = I'm Ready

| released = {{start date|1997|4|28|df=y}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 4:01

| label = Big Life

| writer = Eric Clapton

| producer = Steve Mac

| prev_title = Love Guaranteed

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = Love Lady

| next_year = 1997

}}

British R&B group Damage covered "Wonderful Tonight" and released it as the fifth single from their debut studio album, Forever (1997), in April 1997. The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's highest-charting single. The song is prominently performed by Coreé Richards, with little vocal input from any other members of the band. The music video features the band performing the song in a recording studio with cut scenes of a girl preparing to go on a night out. The B-side, "I'm Ready", launched the career of Craig David, being the first song he had ever written to be released by himself or another artist.

==Track listings==

  • UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Wonderful Tonight|year=1997|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Big Life Records|id=BLRDA134}}
  1. "Wonderful Tonight"
  2. "I'm Ready" {{small|(Rashaan J Bromfield, Coreé Richards, Noel Simpson, Jade Jones, Andrez Harriott, Craig David)}}
  3. "Wonderful Tonight" (Ethnic Boyz Mix)
  • UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Wonderful Tonight|year=1997|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Big Life Records|id=BLRDB134}}
  1. "Wonderful Tonight" (acoustic mix)
  2. "Just My Imagination" {{small|(Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong)}}
  3. "Love II Love" (acoustic mix)
  • UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Wonderful Tonight|year=1997|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Big Life Records|id=BLRC134}}
  1. "Wonderful Tonight"
  2. "I'm Ready" {{small|(Bromfield, Richards, Simpson, Jones, Harriott, David)}}

==Charts==

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Weekly charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

!Chart (1997)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|39|artist=Damage|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2013}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-05-31.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=22|page=19|date=31 May 1997|access-date=5 July 2021}}

|align="center"|30

{{single chart|Ireland2|15|artist=Damage|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2013}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|26|year=1997|week=28|rowheader=true|access-date=5 July 2021}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|26|artist=Damage|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2013}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|34|artist=Damage|song=Wonderful Tonight|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2013}}
{{single chart|Scotland|12|date=19970524|rowheader=true|access-date=5 July 2021}}
{{single chart|UK|3|date=19970517|artist=Damage|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2013}}
scope="row"|UK Indie (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1997/Music-Week-1997-05-17-IDX-36.pdf|title=Independent Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=17 May 1997|page=36|issn=0265-1548|via=World Radio History}}

| align=center|1

{{col-2}}

Year-end charts

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!Chart (1997)

!Position

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Singles 1997|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=17 January 1998}}

|align="center"|77

{{col-end}}

==Certifications==

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Damage|title=Wonderful Tonight|award=Silver|relyear=2008|certyear=2022|id=12965-966-1|access-date=12 August 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

==Release history==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|28 April 1997

|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}

|Big Life

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-04-26.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=33|date=26 April 1997|access-date=5 July 2021}}

scope="row"|United States

|9 September 1997

|{{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|contemporary hit radio}}

|Critique

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1213|pages=39, 45|date=5 September 1997}}

=David Kersh version=

{{Infobox song

| name = Wonderful Tonight

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = David Kersh

| album = If I Never Stop Loving You

| released = 14 March 1998

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Country

| length =

| label = Curb

| writer = Eric Clapton

| producer = Pat McMakin

| prev_title = If I Never Stop Loving You

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = Something to Think About

| next_year = 1998

}}

"Wonderful Tonight" was covered by country singer David Kersh on his album If I Never Stop Loving You in 1998. His version went to number 29 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

==Charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

!Chart (1998)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Canadacountry|45|chartid=7891|publish-date=24 August 1998|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2013}}
{{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|29|artist=David Kersh|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2013}}

=Butch Baker version=

The song was covered by country music singer Butch Baker on his album We Will, whose rendition reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1989.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Butch+Baker|title=Butch Baker Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts|website=www.musicvf.com}}

{{clear}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.allmusic.com/song/wonderful-tonight-mt0000777632 Allmusic review]

{{Eric Clapton}}

{{Damage}}

{{David Kersh}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1977 songs

Category:1977 singles

Category:1970s ballads

Category:1997 singles

Category:1998 singles

Category:Butch Baker songs

Category:Curb Records singles

Category:Damage (British band) songs

Category:David Kersh songs

Category:Eric Clapton songs

Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:British soft rock songs

Category:Rock ballads

Category:RSO Records singles

Category:Big Life Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Glyn Johns

Category:Songs written by Eric Clapton