‘Sunshine of Your Love’ is a 1967 song by the British rock band Cream. With elements of hard rock and psychedelia, it is one of Cream's best known and most popular songs. Cream bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce based it on a distinctive bass riff he developed after attending a Jimi Hendrix concert. Guitarist Eric Clapton and lyricist Pete Brown later contributed to the song and drummer Ginger Baker plays a distinctive tom-tom drum rhythm.
The song was included on Cream's best-selling second album Disraeli Gears in November 1967. Atco Records, the group's American label, was initially unsure of the song's potential. After recommendations by other label-affiliated artists, it released an edited single version in December 1967. The song became Cream's first and highest charting American single and one of the most popular singles of 1968. In September 1968, it became a modest chart hit after being released in the UK.
In early 1967, Cream were writing and rehearsing songs for a second album. Inspired by recent developments in rock music, the group began pursuing a more overtly psychedelic direction. Cream attended a concert on 29 January 1967 by the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Saville Theatre in London. Cream guitarist Eric Clapton elaborated in a 1988 Rolling Stone magazine interview: “ He [Hendrix] played this gig that was blinding. I don't think Jack [Bruce] had really taken him in before ... and when he did see it that night, after the gig he went home and came up with the riff. It was strictly a dedication to Jimi. And then we wrote a song on top of it.”
‘Sunshine of Your Love’ was included as the second track on Disraeli Gears, which was released in November 1967. In December 1967, an edited version of the song was issued as the second single from the album, backed with "SWLABR" (the running time was trimmed from 4:08 to 3:03). It entered Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart on 13 January 1968, reaching number 36 during its initial 14-week run. The record re-entered the chart on 6 July 1968 and reached number five on 31 August 1968. In the UK, the single was not released until September 1968, after Cream had announced their impending breakup. Polydor Records issued the UK single, which reached number 25 in the charts.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single gold on 26 September 1968, signifying sales in excess of 1,000,000 copies. In the US, it became one of the best-selling singles of 1968 and one of the best-selling at the time for the Atlantic group of labels. In 2004, the song ranked number 65 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". In March 2005, Q magazine placed ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ at number 19 on its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever!" In 2009, VH1 included it at number 44 on its list of the "Top 100 Hard Rock Songs". The song is on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".
Labels – Reaction/Polydor (UK), Atco (US)
Songwriters – Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, Pete Brown
Producer – Felix Pappalardi
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]It’s getting near dawn
When lights close their tired eyes
I’ll soon be with you, my love
Give you my dull surprise
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ll be with you, darling, soon
I’ll be with you when the stars start falling
[Chorus]
I’ve been waiting so long
To be where I’m going
In the sunshine of your love
[Verse 2]
I’m with you, my love
The lights shining through on you
Yes, I’m with you, my love
It’s the morning and just we two
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ll stay with you, darlin', now
I’ll stay with you 'til my seas are dried up
[Chorus]
I’ve been waiting so long
To be where I’m going
In the sunshine of your love
[Instrumental Break 02:01-02:59]
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
I’m with you, my love
The lights shining through on you
Yes, I’m with you, my love
It’s the morning and just we two
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ll stay with you, darling, now
I’ll stay with you 'til my seas are dried up
[Chorus]
I’ve been waiting so long
I’ve been waiting so long
I’ve been waiting so long
To be where I’m going
In the sunshine of your love