White Room · Cream (from "Wheels Of Fire") ℗ 1968 Universal International Music B.V.

Released on: 1968-01-01

Producer: Felix Pappalardi

Studio Personnel, Engineer: Tom Dowd

Studio Personnel, Engineer: Adrian Barber

Composer Lyricist: Jack Bruce

Composer Lyricist: Peter Ronald Brown

In 1967, at the initial session for Cream's third album (then still unnamed), recording for "White Room" reportedly began in London. In December, work continued at Atlantic Studios in New York City and was completed during three sessions in February, April and June 1968, also at Atlantic.

Jack Bruce sang and played bass on the song, Eric Clapton overdubbed guitar parts, Ginger Baker played drums and timpani, and Felix Pappalardi – the group's producer – contributed violas. Clapton played his guitar through a wah-wah pedal to achieve a "talking-effect".

In May of 2005 Cream returned to London's Royal Albert Hall-to the same stage where they had completed what was thought to be their final performance in 1968. It was one of the most eagerly anticipated, hard-to-get tickets in rock history. With the exception of a brief reunion set at their 1993 induction into the Rock and roll Hall of Fame, Cream had not played together in nearly four decades.

This DVD documents Cream's momentous London shows. Performances from each of the four nights are featured and much more. Also included are alternate performances and interviews with Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton. Cream formed in 1966 and disbanded in 1968. The band were a prolific and thrilling live act and toured incessantly in their short but remarkable history.

Lyrics

In the white room with black curtains near the station

Black roof country, no gold pavements, tired starlings

Silver horses ran down moonbeams in your dark eyes

Dawnlight smiles on you leaving, my contentment

I'll wait in this place where the sun never shines

Wait in this place where the shadows run from themselves

You said no strings could secure you at the station

Platform ticket, restless diesels, goodbye windows

I walked into such a sad time at the station

As I walked out, felt my own need just beginning

I'll wait in the queue when the trains come back

Lie with you where the shadows run from themselves

At the party she was kindness in the hard crowd

Consolation for the old wound now forgotten

Yellow tigers crouched in jungles in her dark eyes

She's just dressing, goodbye windows, tired starlings

I'll sleep in this place with the lonely crowd

Lie in the dark where the shadows run from themselves

Songwriters: Jack Bruce / Pete Brown

White Room lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc