Eric Clapton's Christmas Album: The Story Behind the Music
For many years, Eric Clapton curated annual holiday playlists on his mobile phone for his family. However, it took a suggestion from his wife, Melia, to turn this tradition into a professional recording. Despite initial hesitation—stemming from the fact that many of his favorite artists had already released holiday records—Clapton was eventually inspired to move forward after collaborating with pianist and keyboard player Walt Richmond of The Tractors. Richmond's unconventional arrangements and harmonizations provided the creative spark necessary to make the project unique.
Key Facts
- Inspiration: Suggested by his wife, Melia, approximately three years before production.
- Key Collaborator: Walt Richmond provided the unconventional arrangements for most tracks.
- Avicii Tribute: "Jingle Bells" was reimagined as an electronic tribute to the late DJ Tim Bergling.
- Soul Influence: Two tracks were covered from American soul singer Anthony Hamilton.
- Country Roots: "Christmas in My Hometown" was inspired by a 1954 Sonny James recording.
The Evolution of the Tracks
From Studio Album to Holiday Special
Not every song on the album was originally intended for a Christmas release. "For Love on Christmas Day" began its life in early 2018 under the title "Living in a Dream World." At that stage, Clapton was working on a standard studio album. He completed a fragmentary tune written by producer and musician Simon Climie and added the lyrics. Once the decision was made to pivot to a Christmas theme, Clapton modified only two lines in the final verse to include the word "Christmas."
Soul and Country Influences
Clapton drew inspiration from a diverse range of genres. While browsing Spotify, he discovered the work of American soul singer Anthony Hamilton, whom he described as "the best soul singer on the planet." This discovery led to the inclusion of "Home for the Holidays" and "It's Christmas," both taken from Hamilton's 2014 album of the same name.
The track "Christmas in My Hometown" had a different origin. Clapton found the song while searching the internet for unusual Christmas covers on a country compilation featuring artists like Gene Autry. The song was originally written and recorded by Sonny James in 1954. To Clapton, the original sounded like a "pub song," reminding him of a TV documentary featuring Romani people singing in a pub, which influenced his specific arrangement for the track.
A Tribute to Avicii
The arrangement of the classic carol "Jingle Bells" serves as a poignant tribute. While Clapton initially leaned toward a bluesy style, his daughters—who were fans of the Swedish producer and DJ Tim Bergling (known as Avicii)—convinced him to take a different approach. Following Bergling's suicide shortly before production began, Clapton adopted a partly electronic arrangement reminiscent of Avicii's signature sound.
Album Production Summary
| Song Title | Original Source/Inspiration | Notable Influence |
|---|---|---|
| For Love on Christmas Day | Original (formerly "Living in a Dream World") | Simon Climie |
| Home for the Holidays | Anthony Hamilton (2014) | American Soul |
| It's Christmas | Anthony Hamilton (2014) | American Soul |
| Jingle Bells | Traditional Carol | Avicii (Tim Bergling) |
| Christmas in My Hometown | Sonny James (1954) | Country / Romani Pub Style |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who convinced Eric Clapton to record a Christmas album?
His wife, Melia, suggested the idea via a phone message after listening to the holiday playlists he created every year on his mobile phone.
Why is the version of "Jingle Bells" electronic?
It was created as a tribute to the Swedish DJ Avicii (Tim Bergling) at the request of Clapton's daughters, who were fans of his work.
How did "For Love on Christmas Day" become a holiday song?
It was originally a song titled "Living in a Dream World" for a regular studio album; Clapton changed two lines in the last verse to fit the Christmas theme.
Where did Clapton find the song "Christmas in My Hometown"?
He discovered it while searching the internet for unusual Christmas songs, finding it on a country compilation album that included artists like Gene Autry.
Who provided the musical arrangements for most of the album?
Pianist and keyboard player Walt Richmond, from The Tractors, was responsible for the unconventional harmonizations and arrangements.