Eric Clapton: ‘Wonderful Tonight’ Was a Ploy So Patti Would Get Ready Faster

Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton admitted in an interview that the song “Wonderful Tonight” was just a clever ploy. Clapton confirmed our suspicions and stated that he told his girl friend Pattie Boyd that she looked Wonderful Tonight so she would get ready faster and they could leave for their event.

“I remember it very well” said Clapton. “It is one of the few moments of clarity I have of the 60s or 70s. It was 1976, Pattie and I were going out to a Buddy Holly tribute organized by Paul McCartney. We were supposed to be there by now and Pattie was making us late. She was getting ready for over 3 hours. She showered, shaved her legs, exfoliated and did her hair and make up. Then she tried on every outfit she owns while I sat there like a jerk-off.”

Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight

“Paul kept ringing me on the phone, where are you mate? I replied I am waiting for Pattie while she tries on 35 dresses. Paul suggested I try telling her she looks Wonderful Tonight. Thanks Paul, you are a genius, I will see you soon. I knew just saying it would not do the trick so I sat down and quickly wrote a song.”

“I wrote all that crap in 15 minutes before we even went out. The next time Pattie came down to ask me how she looked, I said listen to this. I played her the song and she cried and we were out the door and got to the party. It worked like a charm. She looked fine but she didn’t really look Wonderful Tonight, but the song worked like magic.”

Lets Get This Party Started

It became a thing, as all musicians and rock stars started writing songs to get their wives, girl friends and significant others to get ready on time. “You Are So Beautiful” “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” “Just the Way You Are” and many more songs were all written because men just wanted to get to a party on time.

Eric and Pattie ended up getting married a few years later. In case you didn’t know Pattie was married to George Harrison when Eric stole her away. He pursued her like a drug fueled Rom-Com. He ended up trading a beautiful Gibson guitar to George for Pattie. However, after the thrill was gone, Eric started cheating on Pattie and they eventually got divorced. Pattie is known as the Rock n Roll Muse as she has over 300 songs written about her including “Something” and “Layla”. Clapton once joked that Pattie’s lady parts should be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Wonderful Tonight

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her makeup and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look alright?”
And I say "Yes, you look wonderful tonight.”