It’s one of the defining guitar songs in rock history, but it never became a No. 1 hit.
“Layla,” by Derek and the Dominos, which features iconic dual guitar solos from Eric Clapton and Duane Allman, is ranked among some of the greatest guitar songs ever, yet it didn’t even crack the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After its initial release as the title track on the 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, “Layla” was re-released as a single the following year, when it eventually made its way onto the Hot 100.
It debuted at No. 98 and spent a total of 25 weeks at various spots on the chart, peaking at No. 10.
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But “Layla”s impact on rock music has long outlasted the chart statistics from its first few years of release, as the track has become one of the most noteworthy guitar songs of all time, and also helped cement both Clapton and Allman as some of the most influential guitarists ever. Rolling Stone included both musicians on their 2023 ranking of the 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, with Clapton placed at No. 35 and Allman at No. 10.
“Layla” is also included on the publications roundup of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time, coming in at No. 23 on the list. It also earned the No. 14 spot on a similar ranking from Guitar World.
Related: 1992 Power Ballad, Featuring One of Rock’s Most Iconic Guitar Solos, Never Hit No. 1
In 1992, Clapton released an unplugged version of “Layla” from a live performance that was initially filmed for the MTV Unplugged television series. The acoustic version gave “Layla” a second lease on life, and even brought it back to the Hot 100 in October 1992, before it peaked at No. 12 the following month.
Related: 1976 Legendary Rock Album Re-Enters the Billboard 200 Chart Over 50 Years Later
