Eric Clapton Records First Holiday Album, ‘Happy Xmas’

On October 12, Eric Clapton will release Happy Xmas with an original cover art as drawn by EC himself. The original song will be the Clapton-penned “For Love On Christmas Day”. This song is planned to be the lead-off single for Happy Xmas, and will be featured in an upcoming video release.

Happy XMas will be released on CD, DD, and vinyl 2LP. The vinyl 2LP will be mastered for 45 RPM and pressed on two 180g-weight discs. Additionally, the DD will included with the purchase of the album.

Bestel CD | Bestel LP

Eric Clapton is gifting his fans with an early holiday present. The classic rock legend announced the release of his first full-length holiday album, Happy Xmas, coming Oct. 12, via the Bushbranch/Surfdog label. The collection of 14 songs includes covers of many holiday standards including “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” His first studio release since 2016’s I Still Do will also feature Slowhand’s take on such favorites as “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.”

Happy Xmas includes one original, “For Love on Christmas Day.” The album also features a cover art illustration by Clapton himself.
Claption’s rendition of “Jingle Bells” is dedicated to “the memory Avicii,” due to the singer’s admiration for the late DJ.

eric clapton happy xmas

“I had in my head that these holiday songs could be done with a slight blues tinge, and I started to figure out how to play the blues lines in between the vocals,” Clapton, told Billboard. “I got it down and one of the most identifiable songs on the album, the one that became the foundational style, is ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’”

Clapton co-produced the album with longtime music producer Simon Climie.

Clapton previously was featured prominently on A Very Special Christmas Live from Washington, D.C.. The album, which benefited the Special Olympics, featured Clapton on five tracks performed at a holiday-themed December 1998 concert held by President Bill Clinton to herald the 30th anniversary of the Special Olympics.

Video: Cryin’ Christmas Tears – Eric Clapton
A Very Special Christmas From Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. – December 17, 1998



Eric Clapton – Happy Xmas

Label: Bushbranch/Surfdog
Release date: 12 October 2018

Track Listing

White Christmas
Away in a Manger (Once in Royal David’s City)
For Love on Christmas Day
Everyday Will Be Live a Holiday
Christmas Tears
Home For the Holidays
Jingle Bells
Christmas in My Hometown
It’s Christmas
Sentimental Moments
Lonesome Christmas
Silent Night
Merry Christmas Baby
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas


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