Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” isn’t just another catchy tune dominating the airwaves. It stormed the Billboard Hot 100, swept the Grammys, and cemented itself as a classic. Yet, beneath the polished melody lies a story etched in sorrow.
The song’s genesis stems from a personal tragedy so profound, it reverberates through every note. This depth of emotion, while creating a masterpiece, has also made “Tears in Heaven” a song Clapton rarely performs live anymore.
The reasons behind this decision, both personal and deeply affecting, reveal the complexities that can intertwine with artistic expression.
The Story Behind “Tears In Heaven”
Many Eric Clapton fans recognize the emotional resonance of “Tears In Heaven”, but not everyone knows the story that birthed this poignant ballad. The song grapples with the unimaginable loss of Clapton’s four-year-old son, Conor, who tragically died in 1991 after falling from a high-rise apartment.
This deeply personal experience led Clapton to understandably retreat for a time. However, he soon found himself back in the studio, collaborating with songwriter Will Jennings on the soundtrack for the film Rush. It was during this period that “Tears In Heaven” emerged, a raw and vulnerable expression of grief that would become one of Clapton’s most recognizable and affecting songs.
The 1992 MTV Unplugged performance of “Tears In Heaven” cemented the song’s place in music history, showcasing the profound emotions Clapton poured into the music.
The Weight of An Iconic Song
Jennings described the co-writing process for “Tears in Heaven” as deeply personal. Clapton approached Jennings with the first verse, a powerful expression of grief, and requested help completing the song. Despite Jennings’ encouragement for Clapton to write it all himself, they collaborated to create a unique and emotionally raw tribute.
The song’s success, however, came with a heavy burden. By the 2000s, Clapton found performing “Tears in Heaven” emotionally draining. The painful memories resurfacing with each performance became too much to bear. He had also grown and healed in the years since his son’s passing, making it difficult to recapture the raw emotions that fueled the song’s creation.
“I didn’t feel the loss anymore,” Clapton explained, “which is so much a part of performing those songs.” He prioritized moving forward and celebrating life, making a return to “Tears in Heaven” emotionally challenging. While he eventually reintroduced the song to his live sets in 2013, Clapton performs it sparingly today.