Change the World
"Change the World" is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and recorded by country music artist Wynonna Judd.
We recorded four songs that day, three of which wound up on Garth Brooks' "Chris Gaines" CD (this would happen several years later).
In a later session, more instruments were added, with Nathan East on bass, Michael Thompson on guitar, Greg Phillinganes on synthesizers, and Luis Conte on percussion.
[3] East recalls that the recording sessions were jam-packed because several internationally successful artists wanted to work with Babyface at the time; however, the pop producer put Clapton and "Change the World" first.
[6] Matthew Greenwald of AllMusic noted that the song is "melodic, soulful [and] catchy", due to its folk-pop and acoustic-based conception.
[10] In the song, the performer expresses his desire to communicate his love to an unnamed woman ("If I could reach the stars, I'd pull one down for you," "If I could be king, even for a day, I'd take you as my queen, I'd have it no other way").
[26] On February 2, 1999, the song was released by Warner Bros. Records as an extended play, accompanied by Clapton's 1998 studio effort Pilgrim.
[31] It was also part of the Ultimate Grammy Collection, celebrating contemporary pop music hits, released on November 27, 2007, for Shout!
[32] On April 28, 2015, the pop title was released on Clapton's compilation album Forever Man, which recognized his biggest hits.
In total, Eric Clapton's version of "Change the World" has been featured on over 20 releases, including extended plays and various artists compilation albums, produced by both Reprise and Warner Bros.Records.
[9][33] AllMusic critic Matthew Greenwald wrote that Clapton "smartly realized his strength in acoustic-based, soulful folk-pop and cut this fabulous side with noted producer Babyface" after the huge success of Unplugged and "Tears in Heaven."
Greenwald called the song's homespun quality and overall sense of reality refreshing, writing that the release's "folksy melodic hook and soulful turnaround in the catchy chorus are handled by Clapton admirably here and, more importantly, with honesty and an artless grace.
Journalist Violetta Schranke calls "Change the World" a "beautiful pop song" with "delicate production" with much "guitar artwork" and "fantastic bluesy singing."
[35] In Billboard magazine, journalist Datu Faison wrote that the recording is a perfect example of how music has the power to unite musicians of different genres, nations, and looks.
[36] Billboard magazine's Larry Flick notes that "pairing rock hero Clapton with pop/soul maestro Babyface may seem totally incongruous; however, one listen to this positively electric single, and you will be hoping for the two to collaborate on an entire album.
Working with a sweet, uplifting lyric and melody, Clapton brings worldly acoustic-blues favor to the table, while Babyface injects a splash of modern soul and pop gloss.
[37] "Change the World" is one of Clapton's best-selling singles alongside "I Shot the Sheriff", "Forever Man", "Wonderful Tonight", "Tears in Heaven", "Layla", "Cocaine", "Bad Love" and "Lay Down Sally".
[75] The single's release as "Change the World" was well received by British radio stations, where the song peaked at number six on the Official Charts Company's airplay compilation in 1996.
[78] Although "Change the World" reached the Top 40 in every European country it charted in, the Clapton single was only a medium success.
[82] On the French Singles chart, "Change the World" peaked at number seven[83] and was certified with a Gold Disc by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for sales figures above the 250,000 mark.
[92] For the music video shooting, Clapton was provided with clothing, glasses, shoes and styling equipment by his long-time friend, Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
[93][94] In the music video, Clapton is shown singing and playing "Change the World" at the Hoboken Terminal, either using an early signature Martin acoustic guitar, or a vintage model.
[8] While Clapton and Babyface are performing the song at one of New York metropolitan area's major transportation hubs, the scene is completely empty of both people and obstacles.
[97] Although "Change the World" is best known by Eric Clapton's unplugged acoustic version, an electric performance of the song was featured on Babyface's 1997 live album, MTV Unplugged NYC 1997, released on November 25 the same year, with Clapton on co-lead vocals and electric guitar.
AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the duo "deliver[s the tune] with a smooth authority that borders on slickness".
[98] The Babyface-featuring Eric Clapton version was also released on the two compilation albums A Collection of His Greatest Hits and Wake Up Everybody in 2000 and 2004, respectively.
[99] On February 27, 1997, Clapton and Babyface performed the song at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden.
[118] The Jamaican reggae singer Eustace "Thriller U" Hamilton covered the song in 2000 and released his interpretation of "Change the World" as a single.
Dino Lenny & The Housemartins recorded their version of "Change the World" in 2003 and released the cover as a single in March 2003.
Krissy & Ericka, a sisters duo in the Philippines, made a cover for the soundtrack of It Started With A Kiss replay in GMA Network back in 2011.
