It scares me to see that some people have been rating this as a 5 star CD. It isn't. Not even nearly. There isn't really all that much of worth on this CD. Sure, She's waiting and Forever Man are a couple of Clapton's catchier tunes - but look at the lyrical content....there is NONE.

FOr the most part Clapton has nothing to sing ABOUT on this CD. Worse though is the very '80s' Phil Collins production. If you love Collins's sound, this might be for you. If you find Collins a terrible bore, you're not going to love it.

Clapton said of this CD that 'Some of the best stuff never got on it'. The Warners quality control people were so appalled by this CD that they sent him back into the studio to record three new tracks - including Forever Man. So don't expect a cohesive effort. Expect a CD at odds with itself.

Fans of the 'God' Calpton will not be smiling. The only guitar workouts are on 'Same old blues' and 'Like a prisoner'. The former, some have claimed is Clapton's best guitar performance on a studio CD. It maybe or it may not, but the song IS long and kind of boring, with way too many synths.

You may love this CD, but the truth is that I would happily GIVE my copy away.

I remember the buzz surrounding this album back in the mid-80's touting that "Eric Clapton is back!" There were full page ads in the music magazines at the time, mixed between articles on Ratt's new album, and whether or not David Lee Roth would be leaving Van Halen. Where did Eric Clapton fit into the scheme of things back in 1985?

The musical climate had changed dramatically from when he had topped the charts in the '70's, and his two new 80's albums ("Money and Cigarettes" and "Another Ticket") made nary a whimper. So to help give him some direction, Clapton enlisted the help of Phil Collins, who could do no wrong at the time on the music charts. So that's why this album is so heavy on the slick 80's production and Phil Collins drum sound. Let's face it, back when this was released, the slick 80's sound wasn't a bad thing!

The painfully obvious thing about this album is that it is indeed a transition album, showing an artist trying to acclimate to a new sound. One half of the album is very pop sounding ("She's Waiting," "Forever Man," "Never Make You Cry"), while the other half is still in '70's mode ("Knock on Wood," "Same Old Blues," "Something's Happening"). It never quite works and seems somewhat awkward at times. Yet when he shines, she shines brightly. "Forever Man" and "She's Waiting" proved to be the biggest hits off the album, showing that Clapton was still relevant in the 80's.

My favorite track is actually one of the sleeper songs on the album, a beautiful little tune called "Never Make You Cry." It's easy to dismiss as sticky-sweet fluff, but there's just something about it that puts it up there with "Wonderful Tonight." Not in the same league, but definitely up there.

This album is incredibly strong even with Phil Collins helping on it. The Concert tour which I was fortunate enough to see in England was one of the best ever. She's waiting, Same old blues, knock on wood, are really driving tracks.
But number 10 Just like a prisoner, I feel, is the best on the album, the way he closes it up with Behind the sun makes this an album that should be in everyone's collection.

This was Eric Clapton's mid-1980s "comeback" album that saw him regain his place on rock radio and invade the video world of MTV for the first time. The singles "Forever Man," "She's Waiting" and "See What Love Can Do" are all first rate and among his best. The rest of the album is spottier, containing lots of filler material. Nevertheless, Clapton's return to the top of the charts was welcome at the time and is a worthwhile listen for fans.

"Behind the Sun" is not a favorite of most fans or critics, but it's one of mine. With this album, Clapton finally abandoned the mellow, laid-back (and often boring) country rock of the late 1970s and mastered the more electronic (and energetic) sound of '80s radio. The sound is more dense and satisfying. "She's Waiting" and "Forever Man" are Clapton's hardest - and most convincing - rockers since "Layla." "Something's Happening" is pure pop-rock joy, and "See What Love Can Do" is uniquely beautiful. Don't miss out on this gem!