Cream — Badge
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Thinkin' 'bout the times you drove in my car
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table
I told you not to wander 'round in the dark
I told you 'bout the swans that they live in the park
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel
Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down
Don't you notice how the wheel goes 'round?
And you'd better pick yourself up from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down
Yes, before they bring the curtain down, woo-ooh
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table
I told you not to wander 'round in the dark
I told you 'bout the swans that they live in the park
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel
Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down
Don't you notice how the wheel goes 'round?
And you'd better pick yourself up from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down
Yes, before they bring the curtain down, woo-ooh
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle
Comments (117)add comment
Jack Bruce's "Hit and Run" ...
Jack Bruce's bass line is addictive. One of my favorite warm up tunes.
RIP good friend. You made your mark and continue to cast a long shadow.
RIP good friend. You made your mark and continue to cast a long shadow.
slawjam wrote:
Right, and when playing the song live, during the extended instrumental outro, Clapton often finishes with the repeated lyric "Wearing my badge" (or something close to that).
Check 5:02 of the link below.
Here's a fun version with Ronnie Wood: BadgeLive2020
brander wrote:
Actually, they're not. There's no chord or note sequence in this song with those notes/chords.
The name of this song came from Clapton's nearly illegible scribble on the top of the page that said "bridge?" , meaning he needed to write a bridge - aka "the middle 8" - which Harrison then took to be "Badge", the name of the song. He kept calling it "Badge", and it stuck. Kind of an inside joke.
Right, and when playing the song live, during the extended instrumental outro, Clapton often finishes with the repeated lyric "Wearing my badge" (or something close to that).
Check 5:02 of the link below.
Here's a fun version with Ronnie Wood: BadgeLive2020
misterbearbaby wrote:
Insane perhaps, but listen to Wheels of Fire and at times Baker sounds quite like 2 drummers going at the kit at the same time! See- even schizophrenia can come in handy. I agree that Jack Bruce is perhaps the greatest jazz/rock bassist to walk the Earth with Jaco.
Schizophrenia makes my heart beat like if two drummers going at the kit at the same time !
Insane perhaps, but listen to Wheels of Fire and at times Baker sounds quite like 2 drummers going at the kit at the same time! See- even schizophrenia can come in handy. I agree that Jack Bruce is perhaps the greatest jazz/rock bassist to walk the Earth with Jaco.
Schizophrenia makes my heart beat like if two drummers going at the kit at the same time !
Pumpkincat wrote:
LOL
Then I told you about our kid.... he's married to Mabel! And he's NOT a tomato! All these years. Thanks for posting lyrics that I've always wondered about. 
LOL
Wow! Ginger Baker is smiling on the album cover.
Then I told you about our kid.... he's married to Mabel! And he's NOT a tomato! All these years. Thanks for posting lyrics that I've always wondered about.
eyeball wrote:
Yes! Thank you.
And then that Beatle's 'Abbey Road' riff, for no reason.
And it's called "Badge"?
Should be called, "Talkin' 'bout non-sequiturs".
Tried for years, but just cannot get past the need to rhyme table with Mabel.
Yes! Thank you.
And then that Beatle's 'Abbey Road' riff, for no reason.
And it's called "Badge"?
Should be called, "Talkin' 'bout non-sequiturs".
Tried for years, but just cannot get past the need to rhyme table with Mabel.
kingart wrote:
It was Harrison's handwriting. Clapton thought he had written badge instead of bridge
I seem to recall making this comment about this song but I can't find it in the thread, so perhaps it was about another song. (perhaps For What It's Worth). This is one of the tiny minority of rock songs, and certainly of the eminent rock songs, in which the title is not within the lyrics. Indeed, in this song, the title makes no sense in the context of the lyrics, as the original title, Bridge, was in (George Harrison's?) handwriting that no one could decipher--and even that doesn't hold, unless it refers to Clapton's bridge, which it most likely does.
Those were the days, alright. Better living through chemistry...
Those were the days, alright. Better living through chemistry...
It was Harrison's handwriting. Clapton thought he had written badge instead of bridge
The cream of Cream.
I seem to recall making this comment about this song but I can't find it in the thread, so perhaps it was about another song. (perhaps For What It's Worth). This is one of the tiny minority of rock songs, and certainly of the eminent rock songs, in which the title is not within the lyrics. Indeed, in this song, the title makes no sense in the context of the lyrics, as the original title, Bridge, was in (George Harrison's?) handwriting that no one could decipher--and even that doesn't hold, unless it refers to Clapton's bridge, which it most likely does.
Those were the days, alright. Better living through chemistry...
Those were the days, alright. Better living through chemistry...
Gorgeous in 1969 and still gorgeous now. Those drums and that base and then Clapton. Love them all. If Badge is 10 then What a Bringdown and Doing That Scrapyard Thing would have to be 10 and a bit. More Cream please vicar.
A 9 a sort of latent 10 but if you gave it ten what then for What a Bringdown? Thank you RP, marvellous work.
just dawned on me...sounds a bit like 'it don't come easy'... probably the coffee
cambuddyf wrote:
Harrison also plays the chiming guitar solo early in the song, very simple but perfect!
Co-written with George Harrison. Harrison wrote a ton of good songs in the late 60's.
Harrison also plays the chiming guitar solo early in the song, very simple but perfect!
Co-written with George Harrison. Harrison wrote a ton of good songs in the late 60's.
misterbearbaby wrote:
You may want to stop arguing with yourself - at least in a public forum. Then again, maybe not.
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
misterbearbaby wrote:Insane perhaps, but listen to Wheels of Fire and at times Baker sounds quite like 2 drummers going at the kit at the same time! See- even schizophrenia can come in handy. I agree that Jack Bruce is perhaps the greatest jazz/rock bassist to walk the Earth with Jaco.
Proclivities wrote:You may want to stop arguing with yourself - at least in a public forum. Then again, maybe not.
...Proc...once again with a VERY funny post that is even more funny with his use of the repetition of what the OP did to spark the comment to begin with. Or, maybe it's not a funny post.....hehehe
PS - Another bonus point for this song (already at a 10 so....) is that I learned the British word "queue" from this song so many years ago (mid/late 80s) - as an American kid growing up almost 5000 miles from the UK this aspect (English vs American English) of British music was mind blowing. And it helped me out when I visited London in the summer of '93 as I already knew words like Torch, Lift, WC, Rubbish, etc. I had to learn about Page 3 girls on my own though 
Long Live RP!!
misterbearbaby wrote:
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
If you're REALLY interested, watch Beware of Mr. Baker (Snag Films).
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
If you're REALLY interested, watch Beware of Mr. Baker (Snag Films).
misterbearbaby wrote:
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
I get the impression that they were both difficult. Ginger has the larger reputation for nastiness. If you're interested, check out this article that contains interview excerpts from both men. This bit is eye-opening:
Famous Rock Feuds: Jack Bruce On Ginger Baker (And Ginger, Literally, On Jack)
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
I get the impression that they were both difficult. Ginger has the larger reputation for nastiness. If you're interested, check out this article that contains interview excerpts from both men. This bit is eye-opening:
Famous Rock Feuds: Jack Bruce On Ginger Baker (And Ginger, Literally, On Jack)
The story goes when late bassist Jack Bruce was a few hours from death in 2014, he phoned up close friends to say goodbye. When he called his ex-Cream band mate Ginger Baker, he told him, “I’m dying, Ginger, f*ck you,” then slammed down the phone. Baker tried to call back several times, of course, but Bruce wouldn’t pick up.
If that is not a true story, it is certainly plausible. Bruce, who had a wicked sense of humor, always said Baker wanted the last word – well, this time he wouldn't get it.
misterbearbaby wrote:
You may want to stop arguing with yourself - at least in a public forum. Then again, maybe not.
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
misterbearbaby wrote:Insane perhaps, but listen to Wheels of Fire and at times Baker sounds quite like 2 drummers going at the kit at the same time! See- even schizophrenia can come in handy. I agree that Jack Bruce is perhaps the greatest jazz/rock bassist to walk the Earth with Jaco.
You may want to stop arguing with yourself - at least in a public forum. Then again, maybe not.
misterbearbaby wrote:
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
Insane perhaps, but listen to Wheels of Fire and at times Baker sounds quite like 2 drummers going at the kit at the same time! See- even schizophrenia can come in handy. I agree that Jack Bruce is perhaps the greatest jazz/rock bassist to walk the Earth with Jaco.
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
Insane perhaps, but listen to Wheels of Fire and at times Baker sounds quite like 2 drummers going at the kit at the same time! See- even schizophrenia can come in handy. I agree that Jack Bruce is perhaps the greatest jazz/rock bassist to walk the Earth with Jaco.
This is one of those great songs in the 'genre' Classic Rock that serves as a benchmark against which all rock *songs* shall be judged in this Bearcave. My criteria being: production values, toe-tappin' heartfelt goodness, and sing-along-ability.
I say songs, meaning that term quite literally as "a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung" and add the criterion: "variations of the common V-C-V-C-B-C structure". (Folksy rock, jam-band tunes, arena-rockers anthems, all of Pink Floyd — for example — are not 3-5 minute long **songs** and are not measured against this standard.)
There are a few other songs that come to mind as Gold Standards: Quicksilver "Mona," Beatles "Birthday"- pick your own faves & noses, I s'pose. Then, in the pop realm, the GODFATHER OF ALL POP TUNES is the impeccable "Lady Marmalade" performed by Patty Labelle and produced by Allen Toussaint. There's not a single quantum-vibration out of time or out of tune in that incredible song!
I say songs, meaning that term quite literally as "a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung" and add the criterion: "variations of the common V-C-V-C-B-C structure". (Folksy rock, jam-band tunes, arena-rockers anthems, all of Pink Floyd — for example — are not 3-5 minute long **songs** and are not measured against this standard.)
There are a few other songs that come to mind as Gold Standards: Quicksilver "Mona," Beatles "Birthday"- pick your own faves & noses, I s'pose. Then, in the pop realm, the GODFATHER OF ALL POP TUNES is the impeccable "Lady Marmalade" performed by Patty Labelle and produced by Allen Toussaint. There's not a single quantum-vibration out of time or out of tune in that incredible song!
Just pulled this album out two days ago to rip it.
Still works after all these years. This is another one of those songs that is just too short.
Still works after all these years. This is another one of those songs that is just too short.
Goose bumps.
9 => 10
One of the best from the period.
9 => 10
One of the best from the period.
luv4music wrote:
what part did Harrison play on this song?
was it that stand alone part in the middle?
L'Angelo Misterioso on rhythm guitar
what part did Harrison play on this song?
was it that stand alone part in the middle?
Just discovered that I never liked this song. "I told you 'bout the swans that they live in the park. Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel" Really? Eesh.
Rating this 3 and PSDing
Rating this 3 and PSDing
Padutarb wrote:
My favourite Cream song.
I love everything about it, it couldn't be bettered than the way they laid it down.
Brilliant guitar, bass and drums.
George Harrison on rhythm guitar and backing vocal is just the icing on the cake!
I love everything about it, it couldn't be bettered than the way they laid it down.
Brilliant guitar, bass and drums.
George Harrison on rhythm guitar and backing vocal is just the icing on the cake!
Yes, L'Angelo Mysterioso! ...and don't forget Felix Pappalardi on keyboards. I have the most vivid memory listening to this song on my room at my parents' home, the year I left for college- one of those where I can feel the light, the breeze through the window over my Lafayette stereo, the color of the grass...
Remember when Felix's wife killed him, then later died in Mexico in some bizarre murder/suicide while receiving phony cancer treatments? Makes me thankful for my boring happy life!
kcar wrote:
Great photo. A shame that Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker couldn't stand each other.
Great photo. A shame that Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker couldn't stand each other.
Jack Bruce is a God. Ginger Baker is clinically insane. Proof? Just listen to the music...
GuiltyFeat wrote:
Kinda makes me wish my life had gone in another direction and that I had a swanky apartment with a turntable and thousands of vinyl records. Kinda.
Got that, finally- it took 45+ years but its all cool, as cool as I imagined it in 1969. Just was dusting a little swank off my turntable before sitting down to write... I totally have the asskicking stereo of my dweams - assuming my dreams stopped in about 1981.
What a great LP. I still have it along with the accompanying poster of the album cover photo.
okay call me nostalgic
but i just love the sound of an accoustic drum kit
but i just love the sound of an accoustic drum kit
Masterful tune
Kinda makes me wish my life had gone in another direction and that I had a swanky apartment with a turntable and thousands of vinyl records. Kinda.
Proclivities wrote:
Great photo. A shame that Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker couldn't stand each other.
Cool tune.
Seems like I've been hearing Cream a lot more lately, in a few different places, not sure why.
Seems like I've been hearing Cream a lot more lately, in a few different places, not sure why.
Great photo. A shame that Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker couldn't stand each other.
lemmoth wrote:
Arckid is really 'our kid' and it's British slang for any sibling, older, younger, male or female. Term of endearment.
" bam23 wrote:
"Then I told you 'bout arckid, now he's married to Mabel" is pure genius - thanks George, or Eric or Ringo for that matter
And by the way, accoriding to Jonny Cragg of the band Arckid (and formerly of The Twenty Twos and Spacehog) arckid is British vernacular meaning "brother." So now it makes even more sense.
It was never a particularly good song, for my money ($2 as a cutout record), but I somehow like it. What really is the point other than another vehicle for more of the same guitar soloing? And odd lyrics that never made a lick of sense.
"Then I told you 'bout arckid, now he's married to Mabel" is pure genius - thanks George, or Eric or Ringo for that matter
And by the way, accoriding to Jonny Cragg of the band Arckid (and formerly of The Twenty Twos and Spacehog) arckid is British vernacular meaning "brother." So now it makes even more sense.
Arckid is really 'our kid' and it's British slang for any sibling, older, younger, male or female. Term of endearment.
" bam23 wrote:
"Then I told you 'bout arckid, now he's married to Mabel" is pure genius - thanks George, or Eric or Ringo for that matter
And by the way, accoriding to Jonny Cragg of the band Arckid (and formerly of The Twenty Twos and Spacehog) arckid is British vernacular meaning "brother." So now it makes even more sense.
It was never a particularly good song, for my money ($2 as a cutout record), but I somehow like it. What really is the point other than another vehicle for more of the same guitar soloing? And odd lyrics that never made a lick of sense.
"Then I told you 'bout arckid, now he's married to Mabel" is pure genius - thanks George, or Eric or Ringo for that matter
And by the way, accoriding to Jonny Cragg of the band Arckid (and formerly of The Twenty Twos and Spacehog) arckid is British vernacular meaning "brother." So now it makes even more sense.
westslope wrote:
Adore this song.
Me too, just upgraded from 9 to a 10. And when you hear it from the vinyl and loud ... Adore this song.
It was never a particularly good song, for my money ($2 as a cutout record), but I somehow like it. What really is the point other than another vehicle for more of the same guitar soloing? And odd lyrics that never made a lick of sense.
I still don't have time to wait in the Q ...
Hannio wrote:
LOL!
Then I told you bout our kid and his magic tomato.
LOL!
My favourite Cream song.
I love everything about it, it couldn't be bettered than the way they laid it down.
Brilliant guitar, bass and drums.
George Harrison on rhythm guitar and backing vocal is just the icing on the cake!
I love everything about it, it couldn't be bettered than the way they laid it down.
Brilliant guitar, bass and drums.
George Harrison on rhythm guitar and backing vocal is just the icing on the cake!
Miss Ginger Bakers drumming in music, they were a great combo!
Cool tune.
Seems like I've been hearing Cream a lot more lately, in a few different places, not sure why.
Seems like I've been hearing Cream a lot more lately, in a few different places, not sure why.
What a shame they couldn't overcome their differences; I would love to have heard at least two more albums from them. They were so great together.
WonderLizard wrote:
Yeah. Elite bassist and better gentleman.
And a great singer too
Yeah. Elite bassist and better gentleman.
And a great singer too
Jim_Messenger wrote:
Yeah. Elite bassist and better gentleman.
RIP Jack.
Yeah. Elite bassist and better gentleman.
RIP Jack.
this may have already been covered, but......
why is it listed as a 1989 release?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goodbye (also called Goodbye Cream) is the fourth and final original studio album by the English rock band Cream. The album was released in Europe by Polydor Records and by Atco Records in the United States, debuting in Billboard on 15 February 1969
why is it listed as a 1989 release?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goodbye (also called Goodbye Cream) is the fourth and final original studio album by the English rock band Cream. The album was released in Europe by Polydor Records and by Atco Records in the United States, debuting in Billboard on 15 February 1969
London Grammar followed by Cream?
I love you Bill.xxx
I love you Bill.xxxL'Angelo Misterioso on rhythm guitar
dc_zee wrote:
Hits me that way too...
Bill and Rebecca: why in hell haven't you played this in 2.5 years!?!?
I truly love this song, but I have a strong, rather sad reaction to it (and I'm not a sad person)....always curious about my reaction to this one.
Hits me that way too...
Bill and Rebecca: why in hell haven't you played this in 2.5 years!?!?
I truly love this song, but I have a strong, rather sad reaction to it (and I'm not a sad person)....always curious about my reaction to this one.
johnjconn wrote:
Wonder what song Harrison would have written had he known Clapton was crazy for his wife, Patty Boyde. Of course, everyone that met Patty fell in love with her.
George Harrison wrote this song as pay back for EC help on the White Album
sirdroseph wrote:
sirdroseph wrote:
Not a big Cream fan, but I am a fan of this song!
Wonder what song Harrison would have written had he known Clapton was crazy for his wife, Patty Boyde. Of course, everyone that met Patty fell in love with her.
johnjconn wrote:
Actually co-written by L'Angelo Mysterioso (GH's nom du record) and EC. Everyone can tell where George's riff comes in after the chorus and before EC's solo.
George Harrison wrote this song as pay back for EC help on the White Album
sirdroseph wrote:
sirdroseph wrote:
Not a big Cream fan, but I am a fan of this song!
Actually co-written by L'Angelo Mysterioso (GH's nom du record) and EC. Everyone can tell where George's riff comes in after the chorus and before EC's solo.
johnjconn wrote:
Lol! I just came in here to say this sounds like George Harrison!
George Harrison wrote this song as pay back for EC help on the White Album
sirdroseph wrote:
sirdroseph wrote:
Not a big Cream fan, but I am a fan of this song!
Lol! I just came in here to say this sounds like George Harrison!
jagdriver wrote:
...The solo was played over and over and over, probably damaging both Jeff's needle and the LP...
and your head, but in a good way! Me, too! Not a big Cream fan, but I am a fan of this song!
I heard this story years ago, always wondered if it's true. Either way, good story.
slawjam wrote:
The name of this song came from Clapton's nearly illegible scribble on the top of the page that said "bridge?" , meaning he needed to write a bridge - aka "the middle 8" - which Harrison then took to be "Badge", the name of the song. He kept calling it "Badge", and it stuck. Kind of an inside joke.
slawjam wrote:
The name of this song came from Clapton's nearly illegible scribble on the top of the page that said "bridge?" , meaning he needed to write a bridge - aka "the middle 8" - which Harrison then took to be "Badge", the name of the song. He kept calling it "Badge", and it stuck. Kind of an inside joke.
bokey wrote:
OMG!!! How could you have gotten that WRONG?!?!
One of the greatest 2:47(thought it was 2:11) minutes ever.
OMG!!! How could you have gotten that WRONG?!?!
mandolin wrote:
Very long wait for the punchline
Grazie a L'Angelo Misterioso
My favorite Cream song also....
All time favorite.
My favorite Cream song. 
Always dug this song and its different, sudden ending.
lemmoth wrote:
Actually, its pretty easy to know whose guitar part is whose when it comes to George and Eric
Does anyone else have George's Live in Japan with Eric and his band.
Some amazing versions.
Not that anyone will see this since the song hasn't been played for 2 years, yes I have the album. Took it to Hawaii to listen to on the plane and while tooling around the beaches.
Actually, its pretty easy to know whose guitar part is whose when it comes to George and Eric
Does anyone else have George's Live in Japan with Eric and his band.
Some amazing versions.
Not that anyone will see this since the song hasn't been played for 2 years, yes I have the album. Took it to Hawaii to listen to on the plane and while tooling around the beaches.
Cachatons wrote:
I thought Harrison just played rhythm guitar on the song.
He did
I thought Harrison just played rhythm guitar on the song.
I think on one of Clapton's later records there is a version of this that is updated and just sweet.
I'd say a lot of Cream's stuff was overrated ("Tales of Brave Ulysses"? - eek), but this is definitely one of their best. Clapton does a cool live version where he rocks up the ending.
Have you ever had a song mysteriously appear in your head, only to hear that very song played later in the day? That just happened with this song. But in the interest of skepticism, i do hum this song to myself quite often.
One of the greatest 2:47(thought it was 2:11) minutes ever.
Cachatons wrote:
He did
Actually, its pretty easy to know whose guitar part is whose when it comes to George and Eric
Does anyone else have George's Live in Japan with Eric and his band.
Some amazing versions.
sharkartist wrote:
Funny, I've lived all these years believing just the opposite, that George played that solo.
He did
Then I told you 'bout our kid (ARKID) now he's married to Mabel.
Thanks for the line Ringo.
Thanks for the lick George.
Jumping around Jeff Hindman's dorm room in 10th grade wondering how in the world did they achieve that cool guitar solo? The solo was played over and over and over, probably damaging both Jeff's needle and the LP...
Then I told you bout our kid and his magic tomato.
Screw the nonsensical lyrics. Essential rock perfection.
RedGuitar wrote:
I understood it that George played the rhythm guitar part and that Clapton didn't come in until the Leslie guitar in the middle (and of course, the guitar solo). Perhaps I got it wrong! Anyway, I love the tune!
Funny, I've lived all these years believing just the opposite, that George played that solo.
One of the most vibrant rock trios ever. This is a priceless rock masterpiece. Clapton in a group was magic...not to say his later work
was not though.
Favorite Cream song, the others are too heavy for me... love my man Eric in all of his other incarnations though.
algrif wrote:
Hi Bill
The trick with this track is NOT to follow quickly the next song. That great hanging end forms part of the whole.
Remember for next time, please. 
Please !!!!
One of the best songs of the time.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
These guys are pretty good.
Great song to start the day. Thanks Bill!
Actually some informative and appreciative commentary on this one. This really is brilliant..
These guys are pretty good.
A definite 10. One of the best rock and roll songs EVER!
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
And it really makes it a great song.
I understood it that George played the rhythm guitar part and that Clapton didn't come in until the Leslie guitar in the middle (and of course, the guitar solo). Perhaps I got it wrong! Anyway, I love the tune!
keenevision wrote:
stunning, years spent loving this tune, those artists.....
I miss George.
so happy to hear this, thanks Bill!
"L'Angelo Misterioso".
stunning, years spent loving this tune, those artists.....
I miss George.
so happy to hear this, thanks Bill!
I LOVE this song!!!! YAY!!
Love the Leslie guitar in the middle. Great tune!
slawjam wrote:
Actually, they're not. There's no chord or note sequence in this song with those notes/chords.
The name of this song came from Clapton's nearly illegible scribble on the top of the page that said "bridge?" , meaning he needed to write a bridge - aka "the middle 8" - which Harrison then took to be "Badge", the name of the song. He kept calling it "Badge", and it stuck. Kind of an inside joke.
Interesting story! This song is way too short.......
Saw Clapton on Tour with Muddy Waters in 1980 and he opened with this. The crowd went nuts. Perhaps my favorite Cream song.
Glorious times and memories. This sounds beats my 8-track tape, though. Excellent tune and Clapton rules then & now, dammit!
... Badge of Distinction for Cream and Radio Paradise for playing it and all the rest! ... ... Goodbye! ...
... Goodbye! ...Gotta love that album cover.
twcarlin wrote:
The only bad thing that can be said for this song- it's too damn short!!!!!
That's the only complaint I've ever had about it.
Hi Bill
The trick with this track is NOT to follow quickly the next song. That great hanging end forms part of the whole.
Remember for next time, please.
Great depth, feeling, timelessness. 
lightranger wrote:
The bridge in the middle is done by George Harrison.
A great song of a generation that continues to live on and on.And it really makes it a great song.
The bridge in the middle is done by George Harrison.
A great song of a generation that continues to live on and on.The only bad thing that can be said for this song- it's too damn short!!!!!
slawjam wrote:
Actually, they're not. There's no chord or note sequence in this song with those notes/chords.
The name of this song came from Clapton's nearly illegible scribble on the top of the page that said "bridge?" , meaning he needed to write a bridge - aka "the middle 8" - which Harrison then took to be "Badge", the name of the song. He kept calling it "Badge", and it stuck. Kind of an inside joke.
Aha! I had always bought the "chord explanation" since I am completely musically illiterate. This explanation sounds plausible. How do you know this?
On my absolute short list of greatest recordings, ever.
Yeah.
brander wrote:
Yes, and the notes are B-A-D-G-E.
Actually, they're not. There's no chord or note sequence in this song with those notes/chords.
The name of this song came from Clapton's nearly illegible scribble on the top of the page that said "bridge?" , meaning he needed to write a bridge - aka "the middle 8" - which Harrison then took to be "Badge", the name of the song. He kept calling it "Badge", and it stuck. Kind of an inside joke.
Always good to hear this.
lightranger wrote: The bridge in the middle is done by George Harrison.
A great song of a generation that continues to live on and on.
Yes, and the notes are B-A-D-G-E.
The bridge in the middle is done by George Harrison.
A great song of a generation that continues to live on and on.Originally Posted by lightranger:
The bridge in the middle is done by George Harrison.
A great song of a generation that continues to live on and on.
Yes, classic George guitar sound. Wonderful.
The bridge in the middle is done by George Harrison.
A great song of a generation that continues to live on and on.All the talent of \"White Room\", now with double the \"Hunh?\" factor!
Yes! Thank you.
And then that Beatle's 'Abbey Road' riff, for no reason.
And it's called "Badge"?
Should be called, "Talkin' 'bout non-sequiturs".
isn't it called BADGE for the actual notes? b,a,d,g,e? maybe not?