A twofer from Cream, featuring two classics: the psychedelic Sunshine and the strange bearded rainbow.
Kronomyth 2.1: Sunshine rainbow supermen.
This was technically the first single from the band’s second album, since “Strange Brew” was released as a non-album single months before the release of Disraeli Gears. “Sunshine of Your Love” may well be the greatest song Cream ever wrote; the opening moments are indelibly written in the history of rock and roll. Reportedly inspired by Jimi Hendrix, its famous riff was actually written by Jack Bruce; Eric Clapton wrote the bridge (“I’ve been waiting so long…”). This Atco single features the song in an edited version (sounds like they just cut out some of the guitar solo, since who wanted to hear Eric Clapton’s guitar solos?, he asked facetiously). It also lists the artist as The Cream (the nerve).
Oddly, one of Disraeli’s best tracks was chosen for the B side, “SWLABR,” which stands for “She was like a bearded rainbow.” Identical to the elpee version, the B side is a classic example of Cream’s psychedelic blues rock, its inscrutable lyrics matched with a powerful blues-based riff. Ginger Baker’s drumming on both tracks is amazing.
Original 7-inch single version
A1. Sunshine of Your Love (Jack Bruce/Peter Brown/Eric Clapton) 3:03
B1. S W L A B R (Jack Bruce/Peter Brown) 2:30
Old Gold 7-inch Reissue
A1. Sunshine of Your Love
B1. Anyone For Tennis
Collectables/Timepieces 7-inch Reissue
A1. Sunshine of Your Love
B1. White Room
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch in January 1968 in the US (Atco, 45-6544), in September 1968 in the UK (Polydor, 56286) and in 1968 in Australia (Polydor, NH-59140), Canada (Polydor, 541-001) and Japan (Polydor, DP-1568). Reached #5 on the US charts (charted January 13, 1968 for 26 weeks; RIAA certified gold) and #25 on the UK charts.
- Re-released on 7-inch in Japan (RSO, 7DW-0007) with picture sleeve.
- Re-released on 7-inch in 1984 in the UK (Old Gold, 9426) with “Anyone For Tennis” on the flip side.
- Re-released on 7-inch in the US (Collectables, 4278) and again in the US (Polydor Timepieces, 871 840-7) with “White Room” on the flip side. The Polydor single features the full album version of “Sunshine of You Love.”
