
Eric Clapton's guitar work on Layla — particularly the aggressive, desperate opening riff and the solos — was fueled by unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his best friend George Harrison. Duane Allman co-wrote the song and contributed slide guitar that elevated the track beyond anything Clapton had recorded alone. The song's piano coda features one of rock's most famous false endings.
Reference:
TaskLoco™ — The Sticky Note GOAT