Wonderful Tonight is a ballad by Eric Clapton, who wrote both the music and the lyrics. He wrote it on 7 September 1976 for his then-girlfriend Pattie Boyd while she was getting ready for Paul and Linda McCartney's annual Buddy Holly party. Boyd mentions the song in her 2007 autobiography, Wonderful Today. Clapton recorded it in 1977 for his album Slowhand, released on 25 November 1977, with Glyn Johns as producer. The soft rock arrangement features Clapton on lead vocals and guitars, George Terry on rhythm guitar, Dick Sims on Fender Rhodes and Hammond organ, Carl Radle on bass and Jamie Oldaker on drums, with female harmony vocals by Marcella Detroit (then Marcy Levy) and Yvonne Elliman.
Released as a single by RSO Records on 10 March 1978, with "Peaches and Diesel" on the B-side, it peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1978. Billboard called it perhaps Clapton's prettiest and mellowest love ballad in some time and praised his guitar interludes, while Cash Box praised its gentle beat and organ accompaniment. In 1988 Dire Straits backed Clapton in a surprise performance of the song at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert. Covers include versions by Damage, David Kersh and Butch Baker.
