Eric Clapton has released a new song, “Heart of a Child.” The song arrived on Dec. 24, 2021, two days after the musical legend generated headlines for yet another head-scratching announcement. Listen to the new track, written by Clapton and Robin Monotti, below.
The surprise release follows his new album, The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions, that features many favorites as well as his new recordings of songs made famous by others.
In recent days, Clapton grabbed unwanted headlines for initiating legal action against a woman who had listed a live bootleg CD of a Clapton concert on eBay for the equivalent of $11. The CD had belonged to her late husband. When news of Clapton’s response came to light, the outcry against the rocker in the press was harsh, particularly when a court ruled that the widow would be liable for legal fees.
On Dec. 22, Clapton’s management defended their response. “It is not the intention to target individuals selling isolated CDs from their own collection, but rather the active bootleggers manufacturing unauthorised copies for sale. In the case of an individual selling unauthorised items from a personal collection, if following receipt of a ‘cease and desist’ letter the offending items are withdrawn, any costs would be minimal, or might be waived.
Eric Clapton performing “Got To Get Better in a Little While,” Fort Worth, Tex., Sept. 13, 2021
“This case could have been disposed of quickly at minimal cost, but unfortunately in response to the lawyers’ first standard letter, the individual’s reply included the line (translation): ‘feel free to file a lawsuit if you insist on the demands’. This triggered the next step in the standard legal procedures, and the Court then made the initial injunction order.”
The statement continued, “If the individual had complied with the initial letter the costs would have been minimal. Had she explained at the outset the full facts in a simple phone call or letter to the lawyers, any claim might, have been waived, and costs avoided.
“However, the individual appointed a lawyer who appealed the injunction decision. The Judge encouraged the individual to withdraw the appeal to save costs, but she proceeded. The appeal failed and she was ordered to pay the costs of the Court and all of the parties.
However, when the full facts of this particular case came to light and it was clear the individual is not the type of person Eric Clapton, or his record company, wish to target, Eric Clapton decided not to take any further action and does not intend to collect the costs awarded to him by the Court. Also, he hopes the individual will not herself incur any further costs.
“Eric Clapton was not personally involved, and does not intend to collect the costs awarded to him by the court.”
Listen to the full 7-minute version of “Heart of a Child”
The song was produced by Clapton and his longtime producing partner Simon Climie, and is performed by Clapton, Sonny Emery on drums, Nathan East on bass, Dirk Powell on mandolin, Daniel Santiago and Pedro Martins on guitar, Simon Climie on keyboards and percussion, Sharon White and Katie Kissoon on background vocals, along with Nick Ingman as the strings arranger & conductor.
Watch the official video of the edited version
Related: Clapton and the song’s co-writer, a fellow vaccine skeptic, were in the news in 2021
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationSounds like a very reasonable response from Eric. Not every musician has the “roll them tapes” spirit of The Dead. For that matter, try posting anything by the Eagles on youtube.
Merry Christmas to all! For a good laugh, find “I Am Santa Claus” by Bob Rivers on youtube. It’s the greatest!