Hear Eric Clapton’s Isolated Guitar Track on “White Room” by Cream

“White Room” is a song by British rock band Cream, written by bassist Jack Bruce and poet Pete Brown. Drummer Ginger Baker claims to have added the distinctive 5/4 opening to what had been a 4/4 composition. It originally appeared on the US release of their double album Wheels of Fire in July 1968 and was released as a single in September 1968. It is one of their most famous songs, along with “Sunshine of Your Love”.

The single reached the top 30 in seven countries, including Australia, where it topped the Go-Set National Top 40 singles chart. The song was edited for the single release on AM radio stations, although album-oriented FM radio stations would play the full album version.

The recording of “White Room” reportedly began in July 1967 in London at the initial session for Cream’s as-yet-unnamed third album and work continued at Atlantic Studios in New York in December and finished during three separate sessions to complete the studio part of Wheels of Fire; February, April and June 1968, all at Atlantic Studios.

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

Check out Eric Clapton’s isolated guitar parts in the clip below.