Reptile (album)

Reptile is the fourteenth solo studio album by Eric Clapton. The album was produced by Eric Clapton with Simon Climie and is Clapton's first album to include keyboard work by Billy Preston and background vocals by the Impressions. The album reached the Top 10 in 20 countries, topping the national album charts in three of them. In total, the album sold more than 2.5 million copies and gained several certification awards around the globe. To help promote album sales, music network VH1 streamed the album in full on TV.[1]

Reptile
Studio album by Eric Clapton
Released	13 March 2001
Recorded	The Town House and Olympic Studios, London; Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles; Right Track Recording, New York City.
Genre	Rock, blues
Length	63:56
Label	Reprise
Producer	Eric Clapton · Simon Climie
Eric Clapton chronology
Riding with the King (2000) Reptile (2001) One More Car, One More Rider (2002)
Singles from Reptile
"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" Released: 3 April 2001 "Superman Inside" Released: 2001 "Believe in Life" Released: 2001

Clapton presented the album on his Reptile World Tour in 2001.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	66/100[2]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Entertainment Weekly	C[4]
Rolling Stone	[5]

Rolling Stone's Anthony DeCurtis thought Clapton combines both blues and pop music very well and "blends virtually every style he's worked in during the past thirty-five years".[6] PopMatters critic Simon Warner felt the album "could have been mawkish but it's actually quite moving. Clapton, circumspect as a composer and still highly adept as a musical practitioner, has his own authentic blues to draw on now and, in many ways, they hit a truer note than when he dips into the older, existing catalogue of standards. Reptile may be an uneven collection, but it's best moments stand close listening".[7] Christa L. Titus from Billboard magazine calls the album a perfect example for Clapton's typical "heritage rock format".[8] William Ruhlmann in his AllMusic review sums up Clapton's history as a rock guitar player and rock god in the early stages of his musical career, then describes the dedication and album artwork of Reptile.[9]

Track listing

Reptile track listing[10]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Reptile"	Eric Clapton	3:26
2.	"Got You on My Mind"	Joe Thomas · Howard Briggs	4:30
3.	"Travelin' Light"	J. J. Cale	4:17
4.	"Believe in Life"	Eric Clapton	5:05
5.	"Come Back Baby"	Ray Charles	3:55
6.	"Broken Down"	Simon Climie · Dennis Morgan	5:25
7.	"Find Myself"	Eric Clapton	5:15
8.	"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It"	Stevie Wonder	4:49
9.	"I Want a Little Girl"	Murray Mencher · Billy Moll	2:58
10.	"Second Nature"	Eric Clapton · Simon Climie · Dennis Morgan	4:48
11.	"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight"	James Taylor	4:47
12.	"Modern Girl"	Eric Clapton	4:49
13.	"Superman Inside"	Eric Clapton · Doyle Bramhall II · Susannah Melvoin	5:07
14.	"Son & Sylvia"	Eric Clapton	4:43
Total length:			63:56

Japanese Bonus Track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
15.	"Losing Hand"	Jesse Stone	4:18
Total length:			68:14

Personnel

Take from the album's liner notes.[11]

• Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals (2-13, 15)
• Doyle Bramhall II – guitar (2-9, 11-15)
• Andy Fairweather Low – guitar (2-9, 11-15)
• Paul Carrack – keyboards (1), Hammond organ (10), Wurlitzer electric piano (10)
• Billy Preston – Hammond organ (2, 5, 13), acoustic piano (6, 9), harmonica (14)
• Tim Carmon – Hammond organ (3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11), acoustic piano (5, 13), synthesizer (12, 14), organ (15)
• Joe Sample – Wurlitzer electric piano (3, 6), Fender Rhodes (4), electric piano (8, 11, 14), acoustic piano (11, 14, 15)
• Pino Palladino – bass guitar (1, 10)
• Nathan East – bass guitar (2-9, 11-15)
• Steve Gadd – drums
• Paul Waller – drum programming (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13)
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion (1, 3-9, 11, 13, 14, 15)
• Nick Ingman – string arrangements (6, 11, 12, 14)
• The Impressions – backing vocals (2-5, 7-13)

Production

• Eric Clapton – producer, album sleeve concept, liner notes
• Simon Climie – producer, Pro Tools engineer
• Alan Douglas – engineer
• Adam Brown – additional engineer, additional Pro Tools engineer
• Pete Karam – additional engineer
• Paul Walton – additional ProTools engineer
• Tom Sweeney – assistant engineer
• Matt Fields – assistant engineer
• Mick Guzauski – mixing
• Bob Ludwig – mastering at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine).
• Lee Dickson – guitar technician
• Paul Miggens – lettering
• Catherine Roylance – design
• Jack English – photography
• Bushbranch – management

Commercial success

America, Asia and Oceania

In the United States, Reptile peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 top albums chart, gaining a so-called "Hot Shot Debut" recognition by the American magazine, as the album sold a total of 101,500 units in its first week.[12] In addition to its success on the main albums chart, compiled by Billboard, the 2001 release also topped the magazines top Internet albums chart for several weeks.[13] In the first quarter of 2001, Reptile sold more than 215,000 copies in the United States alone.[14] On 8 June, the rock album was certified with a Gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to commemorate outstanding sales figures reaching more than 500,000 copies.[15] In total, the album stayed sixteen weeks on the Billboard 200 chart[16] and sold more than 700,000 copies by the end of 2001 in the United States,[17] making it that years 184th most purchased album.[17] In Canada, Clapton's 2001 release went to number 11 on Billboards top Canadian albums chart in 2001.[18] In Japan, the release was even more successful, reaching position six on Oricons album chart in 2001.[12] In New Zealand, Reptile peaked at number 15.[19] However, in Australia, the Clapton album reached number 20 on the ARIA charts in 2001,[20] and was certified Platinum for sales exceeding 70,000 copies in the country.[21]

Europe

Reptile was a big success in Europe, topping three album charts in the continent, reaching the Top 10 in 16 countries and gaining a total of 13 certification awards for outstanding record sales. In Austria, the album peaked at number two on the albums chart in 2001.[22] In Belgium, the release peaked at number ten in Flanders[23] and number 13 in Wallonia.[24] In the Czech Republic, the release topped the nations album chart. In Denmark, the album reached position seven on the Hitlisten chart in 2001.[25] In the Netherlands, Reptile reached number nine on the MegaCharts album compilation.[26] Reptile also reached number five on Finland's Suomen virallinen lista albums chart.[27] In France, the album peaked at number nine on the album charts, compiled by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) in 2001.[28] In Germany, the album peaked at nuber two on the albums chart,[29] and was certified, Gold by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI), selling more than 150,000 copies in the country.[30] In Greece, Hungary and Ireland, the album reached positions one,[12] 13[31] and 25 in 2001.[32] Reptile was a hit album in Italy, as it peaked at number eight in the country.[33] In Norway, Reptile reached number seven on the VG-lista chart.[34] In Poland, the Clapton album reached number four on the country's albums chart in 2001.[35] In Portugal, Reptile reached number five on the nations album chart in 2001.[36] In Spain, the album reached number five on the albums chart,[36] and was certified Gold by the Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE) for outstanding sales figures, reaching 50,000 sold copies.[37] In Sweden, the album reached number nine on the Sverigetopplistan albums chart in 2001.[38] Reptile was also certified Gold in Switzerland by the local IFPI office,[39] previously peaking at number two on the Schweizer Hitparade.[40] In the United Kingdom, the album peaked at number seven on the charts compiled by the Official Charts Company, where it stayed for nine weeks on chart.[41] It was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[42] In Scotland, the album peaked at number 22.[43] Overall, the album reached number two on the European albums chart in 2001.[12]

Chart positions

Weekly charts Chart (2001) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[20] 20 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[22] 2 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 10 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 13 Canadian Albums (Billboard)[18] 11 Czech Albums (IFPI CR)[44] 8 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[25] 7 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[26] 9 European Albums (IFPI)[12] 2 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[27] 5 French Albums (SNEP)[28] 9 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] 2 Greek Albums (IFPI)[12] 1 Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[31] 13 Irish Albums (IRMA)[32] 25 Italian Albums (FIMI)[33] 8 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[12] 6 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[19] 15 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[34] 7 Polish Albums (ZPAV)[35] 4 Portuguese Albums (AFP)[36] 5 Scottish Albums (OCC)[43] 22 Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[36] 5 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 9 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 2 UK Albums (OCC)[41] 7 US Billboard 200[16] 5 US Top Internet Albums (Billboard)[13] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2001) Position Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[45] 60 European Albums (IFPI)[46] 52 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[47] 38 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[48] 59 US Billboard 200[49] 184

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[21]	Platinum	70,000^^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[50]	Gold	50,000^*
Canada (Music Canada)[51]	Gold	50,000^^
Germany (BVMI)[30]	Gold	150,000^^
Japan (RIAJ)[52]	Platinum	200,000^^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37]	Gold	50,000^^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[39]	Gold	20,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[42]	Gold	100,000^^
United States (RIAA)[15]	Gold	700,000[17]
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Garrity, Brian (21 April 2001). "PIuq.In Attendees Discuss Progress Of European E- Commerce" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 113 (16): 33. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
2. https://www.metacritic.com/music/reptile/eric-clapton. Missing or empty |title= (help)
3. Ruhlmann, William. "Reptile – Eric Clapton Reptile – Eric Clapton | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
4. Hermes, Will. "Reptile". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
5. DeCurtis, Anthony (5 March 2001). "Eric Clapton Reptile Album Review | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
6. DeCurtis, Anthony (5 March 2001). "Eric Clapton Reptile Album Review | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
7. Warner, Simon (12 March 2001). "Eric Clapton: Reptile | PopMatters". PopMatters Magazine. PopMatters Media, Inc. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
8. Titus, Christa L. (23 June 2001). "Reviews & Previews – Singles" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 113 (25): 24. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
9. Ruhlmann, William. "Reptile – Eric Clapton Reptile – Eric Clapton | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
10. "Eric Clapton – Reptile (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
11. Reptile (CD liner notes). Eric Clapton. United States: Reprise Records. 2001. pp. 6–7, 9. 947966-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
12. Mayfield, Geoff (31 March 2001). "Hits of the World > Europe/Greece/Japan / Between the Bullets" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 113 (13): 42, 43, 92. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
13. Ruhlmann, William. "Reptile – Eric Clapton | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
14. "Brits On The Charts" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 113 (20): 82. 19 May 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
15. "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 December 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
16. "Eric Clapton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
17. "The Year In Music 2001 / We Thank You!" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 113 (52). 29 December 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
18. "Canadian Albums Chart | Eric Clapton – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard Magazine. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
19. "Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
20. "Australiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
21. "Living It Down Under". Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 118 (38). 23 September 2006. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
22. "Austriancharts.at – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
23. "Ultratop.be – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
24. "Ultratop.be – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
25. "Danishcharts.dk – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
26. "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
27. "Eric Clapton: Reptile" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
28. "Lescharts.com – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
29. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
30. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eric Clapton; 'Reptile')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
31. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2001. 14. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
32. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 11, 2001". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
33. "Italiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
34. "Norwegiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
35. "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
36. "Hits of the World > Spain/Portugal" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 113 (14): 73. 7 April 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
37. "Spanish album certifications – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
38. "Swedishcharts.com – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
39. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Eric Clapton; 'Reptile')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
40. "Swisscharts.com – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
41. "Eric Clapton | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
42. "British album certifications – Eric Clapton – Reptile". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 December 2015. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Reptile in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
43. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
44. "Top National Sellers – Czech Republic" (PDF). Music and Media. 7 April 2001. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
45. "Jahreshitparade Alben 2001". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
46. "European Top 100 Albums 2001" (PDF). Music and Media. 22 December 2001. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
47. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
48. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
49. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
50. "Brazilian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
51. "Canadian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Reptile". Music Canada. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
52. "Japanese album certifications – Eric Clapton – Reptile" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2001年3月 on the drop-down menu