# In 1996, Eric Clapton made a million-selling song. Bernie Taupin called it one of the worst he’d ever heard

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1996-eric-clapton-made-a-million-selling-song-bernie-taupin-called-it-one-of-the-worst-hed-ever-heard/
- Published: 2026-11-11T21:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T22:37:03+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1996-eric-clapton-made-a-million-selling-song-bernie-taupin/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Clapton’s ‘Change the World’ was a major hit.
- Bernie Taupin called its lyrics appalling.
- The song won three Grammys in 1997.

## Summary

Eric Clapton’s 1996 recording of ‘Change the World’, a duet with Babyface, became a major commercial and awards success despite songwriter Bernie Taupin’s harsh criticism of its lyrics. The story contrasts the song’s popularity with Taupin’s view that its production and melody, rather than the words, carried it.

The song was written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Wynonna Judd recorded it before Clapton heard and recorded his version. It featured in the film *Phenomenon* and won three Grammys in 1997, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

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