1987 - Tearing us apart 7 Inch Single

"Tearing Us Apart" is a single from Eric Clapton's album "August". This song was written by Eric himself and Greg Phillinganes. The song is produced by another big name in the music business: Phil Collins. Eric Clapton already admired Tina for her work.

"Tearing Us Apart" is a song about Clapton’s relationship with Pattie Boyd. Eric blamed The Committee, a group of Pattie’s friends for tearing up their love. Eric wrote the song based on that. Eric invited Tina to record this duet. The song was recorded in 1986 and Eric and Tina performed the song live together at The Princes Trust concert in 1986 in front of the British Royal Family. Tina was on stage with many of her other rockfriends like Bryan Adams, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and Elton John. This performance was also used as promotion video for "Tearing Us Apart".

 

 

Tina invited Eric to join her during her Wembley Concerts in 1987. Tina and Eric performed their song together a few nights. This version was later included on the album "Tina Live In Europe". We don’t know if they have performed the song together after this period. We do know that Eric invited many other singers to his concerts to perform the song with him like Katie Kissoon and Cheryl Crow.
There’s also a black and white video of the song. This video hasn’t been broadcasted often and is considered as a rarity. Of course we hear Tina but she isn’t involved in the video.

 

 

"Tearing Us Apart" was released as second single for Eric’s album August and had limited success. The single is released as a 7" single, 12" single and 12" picture disc.
The B-side was another song from Clapton’s album "August" called "Hold On". It has Tina as one of the backing vocals.

Track Listing
"Tearing us apart"
Tearing us apart

Single: Tearing us apart - with Eric Clapton - 1987

You know the sun is shining
It's raining in my heart
I don't know what to do
Since we've been apart
Why don't you tell me, babe
What is going on
You know I love you darling
Don't want to be alone

They're tearing us apart
They're breaking up my heart
I knew it from the start
Your friends are tearing us apart

You know I can't go on
Feeling this old way
You know my heart is burning
It's burning everyday
You know I love you, baby
No one else will do
Why don't you reconsider
Do what I want you to

They're tearing us apart
They're breaking up my heart
I knew it from the start
Your friends are tearing us apart

- 3.38 min.
"Hold On" - 4.55 min.

Released: 1987
Genre: Rock, Pop
Length: 3.38 min.
Label: Warner Bros
Writers: "Tearing Us Apart" – E. Clapton and G. Phillinganes
"Hold On"- E. Clapton and Phil Collins
Producer: Phil Collins and Tom Dowd

Chart Positions (1987)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) - 34
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) - 29
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) - 56
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) - 5

 

Source: Wikipedia and Discogs

1975 - Under my thumb
1975 - Whole lotta love
1976 - Acid Queen
1978 - Root Toot Undisputable Rock 'n Roller
1978 - Viva la money
1978 - Sometimes When We Touch
1979 - Fruits of the Night
1979 - Music keeps me dancin'
1979 - Backstabbers
1980 - Are you breaking my heart
1982 - Ball of confusion
1983 - Lets Stay Together
1984 - Help
1984 - What's love got to do with it?
1984 - Better be good to me
1984 - Private Dancer
1984 - I can't stand the rain
1985 - Show some respect
1985 - We don't need another hero - Mad Max
1985 - One of the living
1985 - It's only love - with Bryan Adams
1986 - Typical Male
1986 - Back where you started
1986 - Two People
1987 - Girls
1987 - What you get is what you see
1987 - Break every rule
1987 - Paradise is here - Special Edition
1987 - Tearing us apart - with Eric Clapton
1988 - Nutbush City Limits
1988 - Tonight Live - with David Bowie
1988 - Addicted to love
1988 - A change is gonna come
1989 - The Best
1989 - I don't wanna lose you
1989 - 6345789 - with Robert Cray
1990 - Steamy Windows
1990 - Foreign Affair
1990 - Look Me in the Heart
1990 - Be Tender With Me Baby
1990 - It takes Two - with Rod Stewart
1991 - Nutbush City Limits
1991 - Way of the world
1991 - I want you near me
1991 - Love Thing
1993 - I don't wanna fight
1993 - Disco Inferno
1993 - Why must we wait until tonight?
1993 - Proud Mary
1995 - Goldeneye
1996 - On silent wings
1996 - Whatever you want
1997 - Cose della vita - with Eros Ramazzotti