1977 Rock Classic Became a Romantic Anthem, Despite Never Hitting No. 1

Eric Clapton's sweet 1977 song "Wonderful Tonight" is among one of the most romantic tunes released by a rock artist. Despite its lasting popularity, the song never reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts. However, during the week of July 15, 1978, the tune, which depicts a moment from Clapton's relationship with his ex-wife Pattie Boyd, did reach the 16th spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Boyd mentioned "Wonderful Tonight" during a 2018 interview with Harper's Bazaar, alongside Taylor Swift. According to Boyd, she had taken her time before an event and was worried she had upset Clapton, whom she divorced in 1989 after 10 years of marriage. To her surprise, Clapton revealed he had written a love song about her while he was waiting.

"I came downstairs with trepidation thinking [Eric] was going to be so angry that I'd taken far too long, and instead he said, 'Listen, I've just written this song,'" recalled the model while speaking to Swift.

Swift shared she was delighted by the story, stating, "That is so incredible to me."

Pattie Boyd Shared How She Felt About Being Eric Clapton & George Harrison's Muse

During her conversation with Swift for the Harper's Bazaar interview, Boyd addressed serving as a muse for both Clapton and her first husband,George Harrison, whom she divorced in 1977.

"I find the concept of being a muse understandable when you think of all the great painters, poets, and photographers who usually have had one or two. The artist absorbs an element from their muse that has nothing to do with words, just the purity of their essence," said the photographer, now 82.

Boyd then shared why she believed Clapton and Harrison, who died in 2001 at the age of 58, wrote songs about their respective relationships with her.

"I think in my case both George and Eric had an inability to communicate their feelings through normal conversation. I became a reflection for them," said Boyd in the 2018 interview.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 2:23 PM.