"Money and Cigarettes" is the eighth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released in 1983. This album came after Clapton's first rehabilitation from alcoholism and represents a period of personal recovery. It was produced by Clapton himself and Tom Dowd, with a new backing band that included veteran session musicians like Donald "Duck" Dunn, Roger Hawkins, and Ry Cooder, alongside Albert Lee. The album was moderately successful commercially, achieving Top 20 chart positions in several countries, though it received a somewhat lukewarm reception from critics.
The album’s title, Money and Cigarettes, reflects Clapton’s mindset at the time, a sentiment he expressed by saying it represented “all I saw myself having left” after his recovery from alcohol addiction. The album cover features Clapton standing next to a melting Fender Stratocaster, a visual metaphor that complements the album's introspective nature. Clapton had just finished a North American tour when he decided to record a new album. He and his touring band—consisting of Henry Spinetti, Gary Brooker, Chris Stainton, and Dave Markee—recorded some tracks at the Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. Clapton felt the new songs had a "pub atmosphere" and saw them as a continuation of his work with Ronnie Lane, known for his more rootsy, blues-influenced sound. However, when Clapton listened to the recordings, producer Tom Dowd was not pleased with the band’s sound and encouraged Clapton to change up the lineup, keeping only Albert Lee. This led Clapton to bring in a new group of musicians for the final recordings, but he still struggled with health issues and personal challenges during the sessions.
Musically, Money and Cigarettes blends blues-rock with elements of pub rock, featuring Clapton’s signature guitar work. Despite the album’s thematic ties to his personal struggles, it is not as intense or emotionally raw as some of his previous works. Tracks like “I've Got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart” and “Crosscut Saw” reflect Clapton’s commitment to roots rock and blues, while the album as a whole feels more relaxed and accessible than his earlier, more experimental albums.
Money and Cigarettes performed well commercially, charting in the Top 10 in several countries. In Germany, it reached number 22, while in the Netherlands and the United States, it peaked at number 16. In the United Kingdom, the album reached number 13, and in New Zealand, it placed at number 11. The album was particularly successful in Sweden, where it peaked at number five on the Sverigetopplistan chart, and in Norway, where it reached number three, marking its highest chart position.
Critically, the album received mixed reviews. Some appreciated Clapton's return to a more straightforward rock and blues sound, but others found the album lacking in the depth and emotional intensity that characterized his earlier work. Despite this, Money and Cigarettes marked a transitional phase in Clapton’s career, showcasing a more stable personal life after his recovery, though it did not achieve the same level of critical acclaim as some of his more celebrated albums.
