1990 Eric Clapton – No Alibis (UK:#53)
“No Alibis” is a track from Eric Clapton‘s 1989 album Journeyman. It was released as a single in a shortened version, with “Running on Faith” (also on the Journeyman album) as the b-side. The 12″ single and CD maxi-singles, both released the following year, included the longer album version and also added live versions of “Behind the Mask” and “Cocaine,” respectively. The live versions were recorded at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England in July 1986.
“No Alibis” is one of the more commercial rock songs from that record. Author Marc Roberty describes it as “a strong, anthem-like song.” The song, written by longtime collaborator Jerry Lynn Williams, combines Eric Clapton’s rough, seasoned vocals with guest vocalist Daryl Hall’s light vocals. The lyrics are about a male person asking his girlfriend or wife not to lie to him further, suggesting that all the lies she tells make the situation worse. During the Journeyman World Tour, performances of this song were particularly energetic. It became a live favorite. The piece is in the key of D major.
In Clapton’s autobiography, he describes that he wrote the songs with Williams, who was credited exclusively, but that Clapton was betrayed by his former partner Lory Del Santo.
The single release of the song reached number 53 on the British charts and stayed there for three weeks. On the US charts, the single reached number 4 on the mainstream rock charts, though it did not enter the Hot 100
Album
Journeyman is a 1989 album by Eric Clapton. Heralded as a return to form for Clapton, who had struggled with alcohol addiction and had recently found sobriety, the album has a 1980s electronic sound, but it also includes blues songs like “Before You Accuse Me”, “Running on Faith”, and “Hard Times.” “Bad Love” was released […]
Musicians
| Bass | Nathan East |
| Drums (programming) | Jimmy Bralower |
| Guitar | Eric Clapton |
| Keyboards | Greg Phillinganes |
| Piano | Richard Tee |
| Programming | Robbie Kondor |
| Percussion | Carol Steele |
| Background Vocals | Chaka Khan |
| Background Vocals | Lani Groves |
| Background Vocals | Greg Phillinganes |
| Vocals | Eric Clapton |
Produced By
Russ Titelman
Songwriters
Jerry Lynn Williams
Charts
US:# –
UK:#53