SWLABR
Encyclopedia
"SWLABR" is a song by British rock band Cream
from their 1967 album Disraeli Gears
and later released as the B-side to the single "Sunshine of Your Love
". The lyrics were written by Pete Brown
, and the music was composed by Jack Bruce
.
for either "She Walks Like A Bearded Rainbow" or "She Was Like A Bearded Rainbow".
The songs lyrics talk of a woman who constantly comes and goes out of a relationship with the narrator ("coming to me in the morning, leaving me at night") and that even though she may appear to be perfect, she is flawed ("You've got that pure feel, such good responses, you've got that rainbow feel, but the rainbow has a beard").
A live version of "SWLABR" was released on BBC Sessions and the Deluxe Edition of Disraeli Gears. A four minute outtake also appeared on the Disraeli Gears Deluxe Edition.
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
from their 1967 album Disraeli Gears
Disraeli Gears
Disraeli Gears is the second album by British supergroup Cream. It was released in November 1967 and went on to reach #5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching #4 on the American charts...
and later released as the B-side to the single "Sunshine of Your Love
Sunshine of Your Love
"Sunshine of Your Love" is a 1967 song by the British supergroup Cream. The song was originally released on the album Disraeli Gears in November 1967, and was later released as a single in January 1968. It is Cream's only gold-selling single in the United States. It features a distinctive...
". The lyrics were written by Pete Brown
Pete Brown
Peter Ronald Brown is an English performance poet and lyricist.Best known for his collaborations with Jack Bruce, Brown also worked with The Battered Ornaments, formed his own group Pete Brown & Piblokto!, and worked with Graham Bond and Phil Ryan. Brown also writes film scores and formed a film...
, and the music was composed by Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
.
Song title and lyrical meaning
The song's title is an acronymAcronym and initialism
Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations formed from the initial components in a phrase or a word. These components may be individual letters or parts of words . There is no universal agreement on the precise definition of the various terms , nor on written usage...
for either "She Walks Like A Bearded Rainbow" or "She Was Like A Bearded Rainbow".
The songs lyrics talk of a woman who constantly comes and goes out of a relationship with the narrator ("coming to me in the morning, leaving me at night") and that even though she may appear to be perfect, she is flawed ("You've got that pure feel, such good responses, you've got that rainbow feel, but the rainbow has a beard").
Compilation appearances
SWLABR was released on the following compilation albums by Cream:- Best of CreamBest of CreamBest of Cream is a compilation album of music recorded during 1966-68 by the rock power trio Cream, and released shortly after their disbanding. Now out of print, the album was originally released by Cream's U.S. label Atco Records , and was available on that label during the years 1969-72. The...
- Heavy CreamHeavy CreamHeavy Cream is a compilation album of music recorded by Cream during 1966-68.Although available in other territories as well, the album was largely released to address the North American market, in order for Polydor Records to leverage Cream's back catalog; prior to 1972, Polydor had licensed...
- Strange Brew: The Very Best of CreamStrange Brew: The Very Best of CreamStrange Brew: The Very Best of Cream was a 1983 Cream compilation album.While The Very Best of Cream is a more complete compilation, this album focuses more on the band's singles.-CD track listing :...
- The Very Best of CreamThe Very Best of CreamThe Very Best of Cream is a 1995 Cream compilation album. This "Very Best of..." collection is not to be confused with Strange Brew: The Very Best of Cream.-Track listing:#"Wrapping Paper" – 2:21#"I Feel Free" – 2:54...
- Those Were the DaysThose Were the Days (Cream album)Those Were the Days is a retrospective compilation of the music of Cream, released on September 23, 1997.It comprises four CDs and catalogues every track from their four studio albums, plus live material recorded in 1968....
- Gold
A live version of "SWLABR" was released on BBC Sessions and the Deluxe Edition of Disraeli Gears. A four minute outtake also appeared on the Disraeli Gears Deluxe Edition.
Personnel
- Jack BruceJack BruceJohn Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
- bass guitar, vocals - Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
- guitar - Ginger BakerGinger BakerPeter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
- drums