Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton

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

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. The original vinyl and cassette releases contained the live version of "Cocaine" from the 1980 release "Just One Night"; the later CD issue deleted this for the studio version from "Slowhand", and also included the song "Let It Grow" from "461 Ocean Boulevard".

Track listing

"I Shot the Sheriff" (Bob Marley) – 4:23
- From the album 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
"After Midnight" (J. J. Cale) – 3:08
- From the album Eric Clapton (1970)
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan) – 4:21
- Non-album single (1975)
"Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton) – 3:39
- From the album Slowhand (1977)
"Layla" by Derek and the Dominos (Clapton, Jim Gordon) – 7:06
- From the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)
"Cocaine" (Cale) – 3:34
- From the album Slowhand (1977) *The 1982 US LP uses the live version from Just One Night*
"Lay Down Sally" (Clapton, Marcy Levy, George Terry) – 3:49
- From the album Slowhand (1977)
"Willie and the Hand Jive" (Johnny Otis) – 3:28
- From the album 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
"Promises" (Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) – 3:00
- From the album Backless (1978)
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (Traditional, arr. Clapton) – 3:29
- From the album There's One in Every Crowd (1975)
"Let It Grow" (Clapton) – 4:55 *On UK version and CD reissue*
- From the album 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)

Charts

Weekly charts

Charts for *Timepieces: The Best of Eric Clapton*
Chart (1982–2004)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)^[3]	28
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[4]	65
Dutch Albums (Midprice Albums Top 50)^[5]	42
Japanese Albums (Oricon)^[6]	34
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[7]	22
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)^[8]	13
UK Albums (OCC)^[9]	20
US Billboard 200^[10]	101
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)^[11]	1

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)^[12]	Gold	30,000^{^}
Austria (IFPI Austria)^[13] 1994 certification	Platinum	50,000^*
Austria (IFPI Austria)^[14] 1996 certification	Platinum	50,000^*
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)^[15]	Gold	10,000^*
Japan (RIAJ)^[16]	Million	1,000,000^{^}
Netherlands (NVPI)^[17]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[18]	Platinum	15,000^{^}
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[19]	Gold	50,000^{^}
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)^[20]	Gold	25,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[21]	Gold	100,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[22]	7× Platinum	7,000,000^{^}
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments 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	November 1982	Polydor Records	CD	810,014-2

References

^ "Billboard Magazine: 300 Best Selling Albums (Worldwide)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2015 – via Prince.org.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (1st ed.). St Ives, New South Wales, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of Eric Clapton" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ "Dutch Midprice Albums Top 50 – 31/07/2004" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. 31 July 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
^ "Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of Eric Clapton". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Eric Clapton | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ "Eric Clapton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ "Eric Clapton Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ "Argentinian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
^ "Austrian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces Best Of" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
^ "Austrian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
^ "IFPI Hong Kong Gold Sales Award – "Timepieces The Best of Eric Clapton"". Equipboard, Inc. 10 March 2024.
^ "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.
^ "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. Enter Time Pieces – The Best of in the "Artiest of titel" box.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
^ "AFYVE Gold Sales Award – "Timepieces The Best of Eric Clapton"". Equipboard, Inc. 10 March 2024.
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Timepieces')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
^ "British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
^ "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces/Best of Eric Clapton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

[1] "Billboard Magazine: 300 Best Selling Albums (Worldwide)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2015 – via Prince.org.

[Crossroads-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.

[AUS-3] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (1st ed.). St Ives, New South Wales, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[ac_Netherlands_Eric_Clapton-4] "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of Eric Clapton" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[5] "Dutch Midprice Albums Top 50 – 31/07/2004" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. 31 July 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[JPN-6] Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.

[ac_New_Zealand_Eric_Clapton-7] "Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of Eric Clapton". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[ESP-8] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[ac_UK_Eric_Clapton-9] "Eric Clapton | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[ac_Billboard200_Eric_Clapton-10] "Eric Clapton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[ac_BillboardCatalog_Eric_Clapton-11] "Eric Clapton Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[ArgentinaEric_ClaptonTime_Pieces_–_The_Best_ofalbumCertRef-12] "Argentinian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

[AustriaEric_ClaptonTime_Pieces_Best_OfalbumCertRef-13] "Austrian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces Best Of" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

[AustriaEric_ClaptonTime_PiecesalbumCertRef-14] "Austrian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

[15] "IFPI Hong Kong Gold Sales Award – "Timepieces The Best of Eric Clapton"". Equipboard, Inc. 10 March 2024.

[16] "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.

[NetherlandsEric_ClaptonTime_Pieces_–_The_Best_ofalbumCertRef-17] "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. Enter Time Pieces – The Best of in the "Artiest of titel" box.

[New_ZealandEric_ClaptonTime_Pieces_–_The_Best_ofalbumCertRef-18] "New Zealand album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces – The Best of". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.

[19] "AFYVE Gold Sales Award – "Timepieces The Best of Eric Clapton"". Equipboard, Inc. 10 March 2024.

[SwitzerlandEric_ClaptonTimepiecesalbumCertRef-20] "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Timepieces')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

[United_KingdomEric_ClaptonTime_PiecesalbumCertRef-21] "British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

[United_StatesEric_ClaptonTime_Pieces/Best_of_Eric_ClaptonalbumCertRef-22] "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Time Pieces/Best of Eric Clapton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 February 2016.

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