The Light Goes Up and Down

G reetings Friends of Sound,

Today I’m drilling down on what Clapton and George Harrison might of been thinking with their lyrics on the Cream song “Badge.” 

They sing:

Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down
Don’t you notice how the wheel goes ’round?
And you better pick yourself up from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down
Yes, before they bring the curtain down

Not quite sure where they’re headed but the way those lyrics fit into the melody and chords is full on magic. 

George Harrison and Eric Clapton wrote the tune and Eric’s group Cream recorded it back in 1969. The song has this incredible guitar arpeggiated figure and also some built in jazz harmonic moves and it serves as a natural starting place for my extended arrangement. Leonard singing strong and high, brother Tripp is playing the piano, and Mack and Duncan keep the song levitating. The performance is from a livestream a few years back and even though we were in our early stages of camera gear, the sound quality is right in the pocket and ready for ear consumption. Dig it!

“Badge” is also included on our new album project “Sunshine of Your Love.”

Available on all streaming platforms and especially here:

PS Webstore

Spotify

Apple Music

The new album got a great review in this month’s edition of The Troubadour:

That’s it for now and thanks for the spin, best, Peter