Money and Cigarettes

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Money and Cigarettes is Eric Clapton’s eighth solo studio album, released on January 31, 1983. It came after Clapton’s recovery from alcoholism and was his first album released on his Duck imprint with Warner Bros. Clapton produced the record with Tom Dowd.

Background and recording
After finishing a North American tour, Clapton replaced most of his band with a newer group of session musicians, except for Albert Lee who stayed for a time. The songs were recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. Clapton has said the title “Money and Cigarettes” reflected how he saw his future after rehab. The cover shows Clapton with a cigarette and a melting Fender Stratocaster.

Release and style
The album is a rock record with a running time of about 37 minutes. It featured a mix of Clapton’s own songs and contributions from a veteran lineup of players, including Ry Cooder and Donald “Duck” Dunn. The singles were “I’ve Got a Rock ’n’ Roll Heart” (January 1983) and “The Shape You’re In” (April 1983).

Chart performance
Money and Cigarettes did well in several countries, though it received mixed reviews. It reached the Top 20 in many places:
- United Kingdom: around number 13
- United States: around number 16 on the Billboard 200
- Norway: as high as number 3
- Sweden: about number 5
- New Zealand: around number 11
- Germany: around number 22
- Netherlands: around number 16
- Australia: around number 20
- Japan: around number 9
The album’s overall performance was solid but not a major hit in most markets.

Critical reception
Reviews were lukewarm to positive. AllMusic called the album an average Clapton effort despite changes in personnel. Rolling Stone gave it a mid-to-high rating (about 3.5 out of 5), and Robert Christgau gave it a B+.

Track highlights
Side one includes: Everybody Oughta Make a Change; The Shape You’re In; Ain’t Going Down; I’ve Got a Rock ’n’ Roll Heart; Man Overboard.
Side two includes: Pretty Girl; Man In Love; Crosscut Saw; Slow Down Linda; Crazy Country Hop.

Personnel and production
Eric Clapton – lead vocals, guitar (including slide guitar)
Albert Lee – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Ry Cooder – guitar
Donald Dunn – bass
Roger Hawkins – drums
Peter Solley – Hammond organ
Other backing vocalists contributed as well.
Producers: Eric Clapton and Tom Dowd
Engineers: Tom Dowd and Michael Carnavale
Mastering: Mike Fuller

Money and Cigarettes stands as a transitional album for Clapton—recorded after his sobriety, featuring new collaborators, and marking a shift in his approach to recording.