Cream: Those Were The Days

Today’s flip comes from Cream’s best selling double LP “Wheels of Fire” and was the flip to the album’s popular single “White Room.” “Those were the Days” was co-written by drummer Ginger Baker who supplied lyrics to a composition by jazz pianist Mike Taylor. Taylor does not play on the recording. It should not be confused with the song of the same title that had been recorded by Mary Hopkin.

While Ginger lends his vocals to another collaboration with Taylor (“Pressed Rat and Warthog”), it is bassist Jack Bruce who sings the lead. Of course, Eric Clapton is on guitar. Baker provides the back beat as well as marimba and tubular bells. Producer Felix Pappalardi adds a nice touch with Swiss hand bells.

This is a great little tune. “Golden cymbals flying on ocarina sounds?” What it means, I don’t know as no ocarinas were harmed in the recording of this tune.

Lyrics

When the city of Atlantis stood serene above the sea,
Long time before our time when the world was free,
Those were the days.
Golden cymbals flying on ocarina sounds,
Before wild Medusa's serpents gave birth to hell
Disguised as heaven.
Those were the days, yes they were; those were the days.
Those were their ways, miracles everywhere, are they now?
They're gone.
Those were their ways, yes they were; those were their ways.
Those were the days, yes they were; those were the days.
Tie your painted shoes and dance, blue daylight in your hair,
Overhead a noiseless eagle fans a flame.
Wonder everywhere.
Those were the days, yes they were; those were the days.
Those were their ways, miracles everywhere, are they now?
They're gone.
Those were their ways, yes they were; those were their ways.
Those were the days, yes they were; those were the days.