Cream: “I Feel Free” (1966)
Cream kicks the psychedelic movement into high gear with this declaration of freedom.
Kronomyth 1.1: Freedom lies in being bold.
Cream set the bar for psychedelic rock with their first single, I Feel Free. The song is controlled chaos, beginning with a cool start that quickly heats up into a tempest of release. There’s also a neat dynamic happening in the vocals, with Jack Bruce’s over-the-top style contrasting nicely with Eric Clapton’s calmer accompaniment. Add some neat drum fills and Clapton’s piquant soloing and you’ve got the perfect recipe for psychedelic success/excess. Just a great song that captures the consuming power of love to a tee. The flip side is the album track, N.S.U., which of course stands for “non-specific urethritis.” One of these days when I’m in a listy mood, I’ll have to put together a list of rock & roll songs about venereal disease (“which might be longer than you think,” he finally had occasion to write).
Original 7-inch single version
A1. I Feel Free (Jack Bruce/Pete Brown) (2:58)
B1. N.S.U. (Jack Bruce) (2:43)
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch in December 1966 in the UK (Reaction, 591011) and in January 1967 in the US (Atco, 45-6462), Japan (Polydor, DP-1527) and Norway (Polydor, 59058) with regional picture sleeve. Reached #11 on the UK charts and #116 on the US charts. Also released with “Rollin’ And Tumblin’” and “Four Until Late” on 7-inch EP in 1966 in France (International Polydor Production, 27 798).
- Re-released on 7-inch with “White Room” on the flip side in 1970 in Germany (RSO Super Oldies, 2090535).
- Re-released on 7-inch with “Wrapping Paper” on the B side in 1984 in the UK (Old Gold, OG-9423).
- Re-released on 7-inch with “Badge” on the B side in July 1986 in the UK (Polydor, POSP-812) with picture sleeve.
