On this day March 11 1985 Eric Clapton released his ninth solo studio album Behind the Sun. The album marked a shift in Clapton’s sound incorporating more polished production and synthesizers while still maintaining his blues-rock roots.
Behind the Sun reached number 34 on the Billboard charts and featured standout tracks like Forever Man and She’s Waiting. The album was co-produced by Phil Collins who contributed to its more radio-friendly sound. While some longtime fans were divided on the shift in style the album helped Clapton stay relevant in the evolving 80s music scene.
80s insight: The title Behind the Sun was inspired by Clapton’s personal struggles at the time including his divorce from Pattie Boyd.