Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton

Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton
Greatest hits album by Eric Clapton
Released	April 1982
Recorded	1970–1978
Genre	Rock
Length	44:52
Label	RSO
Producer	Tom Dowd, Delaney Bramlett, Glyn Johns, the Dominos
Eric Clapton chronology
Steppin' Out (1981) Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton (1982) Timepieces Vol.II Live in the Seventies (1983)

Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton is a greatest hits album by British musician Eric Clapton. The album was originally released by RSO/Polydor Records in April 1982 (see 1982 in music). The following year a second volume, Time Pieces Vol.II Live in the Seventies, was released by the label. The album has been reissued several times and has been awarded certifications in several regions. Billboard reported, the album sold more than 13,400,000 copies worldwide.^[1]

Background and compilation

In 1982, Eric Clapton left RSO and Polydor to form his own label, Duck Records, with distribution through Warner Bros. With the loss of the artist, the two Time Pieces albums were compiled and released.^[2]

The songs on the album were all released as singles, with only one song—"Knockin' on Heaven's Door"—having never been released on an RSO album. A large number of songs on the release were either from 461 Ocean Boulevard or Slowhand,^[2] while none of the songs were released on No Reason to Cry or Another Ticket.

A 7-times Platinum RIAA certification for the album.

Track listing

1. "I Shot the Sheriff" (Bob Marley) – 4:23
   • From the album 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
2. "After Midnight" (JJ Cale) – 3:08
   • From the album Eric Clapton (1970)
3. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan) – 4:21
   • Non-album single (1975)
4. "Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton) – 3:39
   • From the album Slowhand (1977)
5. "Layla" by Derek and the Dominos (Clapton, Jim Gordon) – 7:06
   • From the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)
6. "Cocaine" (Cale) – 3:34
   • From the album Slowhand (1977)
7. "Lay Down Sally" (Clapton, Marcy Levy, George Terry) – 3:49
   • From the album Slowhand (1977) *The 1980 US LP uses the live version from Just One Night*
8. "Willie and the Hand Jive" (Johnny Otis) – 3:28
   • From the album 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
9. "Promises" (Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) – 3:00
   • From the album Backless (1978)
10. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (Traditional, arr. Clapton) – 3:29
    • From the album There's One in Every Crowd (1975)
11. "Let It Grow" (Clapton) – 4:55 *On UK version*
    • From the album 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)

Chart positions

Weekly charts

Chart (1982–1993)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[3]	28
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[4]	65
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[5]	22
UK Albums (OCC)[6]	20
US Billboard 200[7]	101
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)[8]	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Argentina (CAPIF)[9]	Gold	30,000^x
Austria (IFPI Austria)[10] 1994 certification	Platinum	100,000^x
Austria (IFPI Austria)[11] 1996 certification	Platinum
Greece (IFPI Greece)[12]	Platinum	100,000^^
Japan (RIAJ)[13]	Million	1,000,000^^
Macao (IFPI Macao)[14]	3× Platinum	90,000^*
Netherlands (NVPI)[15]	Platinum	100,000^^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[16]	8× Platinum	120,000^^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[17]	Gold	50,000^^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[18]	Gold	25,000^x
United Kingdom (BPI)[19]	Gold	100,000^^
United States (RIAA)[20]	7× Platinum	7,000,000^^
Venezuela (APFV)[21]	2× Platinum	20,000^*
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
Europe	April 1982	RSO Records	LP	RSD 5010
North America	April 1982	RSO Records	LP	RS-1-3099
Worldwide	unknown	Polydor Records	CD	810,014-2

References

1. "Billboard Magazine: 300 Best Selling Albums (Worldwide)". Prince.org. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
2. Schumacher, Michael (1995). "Chapter 10: The Shape You're In (1978–82)". Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton (First ed.). New York City, United States: Hyperion. p. 234. ISBN 0-7868-6074-X.
3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
4. "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
5. "Charts.org.nz – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
6. "Eric Clapton | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved 2015-07-22.
7. "Billboard Top LPs & Tape" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 19, 1982. p. 69. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
8. "Eric Clapton – Chart history" Billboard Top Catalog Albums for Eric Clapton. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
9. "Argentinian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces - The Best of". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
10. "Austrian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces Best Of" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 14 February 2016. Enter Eric Clapton in the field Interpret. Enter Time Pieces Best Of in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
11. "Austrian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 14 February 2016. Enter Eric Clapton in the field Interpret. Enter Time Pieces in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
12. Carr, John (18 February 1984). "Clapton Concerts At Athens Venue Almost Called Off" (PDF). Billboard Magazine (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 95 (7): 9. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
13. "年度別ミリオンセラー一覧　1999年" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
14. "Macao album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of Eric Clapton" (in Chinese). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Macao. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
15. "Dutch album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces - The Best of" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
16. THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
17. ""Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton"". Eric Clapton Collector. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
18. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Eric Clapton; 'Timepieces')". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
19. "British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 February 2016. Enter Time Pieces in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
20. "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces/Best of Eric Clapton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 February 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
21. "Venezuelan album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of Eric Clapton" (in Spanish). Association of Venezuelan Phonograph Producers. Retrieved 14 February 2016.