Have You Ever Loved a Woman

"Have You Ever Loved A Woman"
Single by Freddie King
B-side	"You've Got to Love Her with a Feeling"
Released	1960
Format	7" 45 rpm record
Recorded	August 26, 1960
Genre	Blues
Length	3:07
Label	Federal (no. 23484)
Writer(s)	Billy Myles

"Have You Ever Loved A Woman" is a blues song written by Billy Myles and first recorded by American blues artist Freddie King in 1961. The song is performed as a slow blues with King's vocal and guitar accompanied by a small combo of pianist Sonny Thompson, bassist Bill Willis, and drummer Phillip Paul.^[1] When it was released by Federal Records in 1961, only the B-side to King's single, "You've Got to Love Her with a Feeling" reached the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The song was included on King's first album, Freddy King Sings, also issued by Federal in 1961.^[2]

Several versions of "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" were subsequently recorded by English guitarist-singer Eric Clapton. The first was a live rendition in November 1965 when he was a member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Clapton then recorded a studio version with his band Derek and the Dominos for their 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Later live recordings of the song appear on E. C. Was Here, Just One Night (as a medley with Ramblin' on My Mind), 24 Nights, Live In Hyde Park, One More Car, One More Rider and Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004.^[3]

References

1. Fox, John Hartley (2009). King of the Queen City: The Story of King Records. University of Illinois Press. pp. 143–144. ISBN 978-0-252-03468-8.
2. Bedard, George. "Freddy King Sings – Album Review". AllMusic. Rovi Corp. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
3. "Eric Clapton: Have You Ever Loved a Woman – Appears on". AllMusic. Rovi Corp. Retrieved March 24, 2014.