Recorded in 1967 on the album Disraeli Gears, it was released as a single in January 1968 and is this supergroup’s only gold-selling selling single in the United States.
The song was written by Jack Bruce (Cream’s bassist), Pete Brown (an English performance poet and lyricist) and Eric Clapton (Cream’s lead guitarist). As well as containing a highly acclaimed lead solo the core of the song comes from the distinctive bass and lead guitar riff that starts the song and continues in the same vein throughout the verses.
The riff was inspired after Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton attended a Jimi Hendrix Experience gig, with all 3 writers contributing bits to the song at different times.
Clapton’s uses his 1964 Gibson SG which gives it a warmer sound than would have been achieved by using he Fender Stratocaster, although, as long as the riff is recognisable when you have learnt it – and your guitar is in tune – any guitarist can create there own sound and put their own mark on it.
It is a relatively easy riff to play but listen to the key notes that use the vibrato technique that gives the riff real distinction. Coupled with the stops (not letting the notes ring out) when the each of the similar riffs works it’s way down the neck, perfecting these 2 techniques and applying them where required will set apart the way the riff is played, giving it more feel and, definitely, more authenticity.
There have been many a cover attempted of this great song, but check out Jimi Hendrix’s version – it’s a belter.
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Each Riff Includes Step By Step Videos, Tabs and Backing Tracks
Learn to play this Riff and Jam with our included backing tracks. And all the teaching and Jam session videos can either be viewed online, or downloaded to your PC.
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Tags: Andy Partridge, BandJammer, Cream, Guitar Riffs, Learn Guitar, Sunshine Of Your Love
May 9, 2012 at 7:41 am 
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