February 12, 2025

Clapton Steals Harrison’s Wife ｜ Learn Real English

Learn Real English ｜ Clapton Steals Harrison’s Wife

In the 1970s, Eric Clapton stole George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd. Both Harrison and Clapton composed no less than 3 of the most iconic songs about Pattie in the process.

In this lesson, we will take a look at how all that happened, with interviews with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Pattie Boyd. We’ll learn some of the key phrases, how to use them, and also discover some little known facts the music of Eric Clapton. A must watch for any music fan.

1970年代、エリック・クラプトンは略奪愛に成功し、ジョージ・ハリスンの妻パティ・ボイドと結ばれます。ハリスンとクラプトンは、その過程でパティについて象徴的な曲を3曲以上作曲しました。

このレッスンでは、エリック・クラプトン、ジョージ・ハリスン、そしてパティ・ボイドのインタビュー動画を交えながら、どのようなことが実際に起こったのかを見ていきます。その中で、重要なフレーズやその使い方を学びながら、エリック・クラプトンの音楽についてあまり知られていない事実も一緒に勉強していきましょう。音楽ファン必見ですよ。

Interview Transcript ｜ Clapton Steals Harrison’s Wife

English Stripped Bare - B. Bearington & Naomi Culture & Music: Eric Clapton Steals George Harrison's Wife Pattie Boyd — Eric Clapton & George Harrison Playing Guitar in the Late 1960s

And of course Eric Clapton.

Yeah.

Now, how did you… obviously you’ve known each other before.

How did I get to meet him?

No, no, no… But how did you… right… How did you meet him? How did you decide…

We shared the same wife.

That’s a good beginning.

This is a letter; it says ‘express’ and ‘urgent’ on it, to me at Friar Park.

And I opened it with trepidation, because I could sense there was something kind of hot in here.

And here’s this letter with the tiniest writing imaginable. And it starts off; “Dearest L, I am writing this note to you with the main purpose of ascertaining your feeling towards a subject well known to the both of us. All my love, E”

I showed the letter to George and I said, “Oh George, look at this weird one I got from a fan.”

And he sort of like, “oh yeah.” Dismissed it.

Later on, the phone rang and it was Eric. He said, “Did you get my letter?” And I went, “No. I mean, yes I got a letter, but I didn’t know it was from you. I thought it was from a fan,” you know? So he said, “No, it’s from me.”

I had become, bit by bit, more and more obsessed with his wife Pattie and was making amateur kind of inroads into finding out what… what was going on. And what… what… what was happening to their relationship.

Um, and at the same time, trying to balance my relationship with him.

And when we finally did start to act it out, I mean, I went to George right away and said, “Look, I think this is going to happen, and I think, you know, it is already. There’s the feelings there. And I have to know what you… what you feel about that.” Or… I mean, if you want… It was almost like we… if you want me to stop or go away, I will, you know. But I need to know what…

And he was very, um, kind of cavalier, you know? He said, “Well, take her. She’s yours,” kind of thing. “But, in fact, can I have that? We’ll swap.” You know?

And George’s attitude seemed to have more wisdom in it than… than anyone else’s, in that this is all material. It’s all Maya. It’s all irrelevant to the bigger picture. Doesn’t really matter, in other words.

And I thought, phew, God, you know, well, that’s almost like giving me carte blanche.

And I don’t want to keep showering her with complements about people who have written songs about her, but it is true. And Eric Clapton did write ‘Layla’ about you, whether you like it or not.

This is all based on a book called ‘Layla and Majnun.’ And it’s a… it’s an ancient Persian love story. And he related to being Majnun and me Layla.

♪ What’ll you do when you get lonely?

I knew it was wrong. George was my best friend. And even though they were married, I wanted her.

♪You’ve been running and hiding much too long.

You know it’s just your foolish pride. Layla…

After receiving Eric’s letters, I went to the flat that he had rented for his band members to stay in while they were here. And he said he wanted to play something for me. And it was ‘Layla.’ It was the song ‘Layla.’ It was so beautiful and magical.

There was such a passion and energy in… in the song. I was so flattered, but I was also so worried that George would work out why Eric had written this song.

♪ I fell in love with you.

You turned my whole world upside down. Layla…

To be honest, it had kind of almost got to that before anyway. There was a lot of kind of swapping going on. A lot of fooling around. And this is, you know, ‘60s free-love stuff.

♪Before I finally go insane. Please don’t say we’ll never find a way,

or tell me all my love’s in vain. Layla…

But the song got the better of me with the realization that I had inspired such passion and such creativity.

I could no longer resist.

♪Layla. Darling, won’t you ease my worried mind?

Did you make any musical rebuttal to ‘Layla?’

How do you mean “musical rebuttal?” I mean, that sounds nasty, doesn’t it?

I mean, I’d just like to sort that one out. I love Eric. Eric Clapton’s been a close friend for years and I’m very happy about that. And I’m very friendly…