“I wasn’t that mad about it” is the rock classic that Eric Clapton never really got into.
Almost everything that happens today can be traced back to Eric Clapton when studying the history of rock guitar. Whether it’s trying to lay down a blues jam or using the guitar to become another voice in the band every time you play, chances are that Clapton has covered some aspect of the rock and roll you have played in the past. At first, Clapton didn’t think “Strange Brew” was all that unique, despite the excellent songs he finally accumulated with his bands and solo library.
However, Clapton was perfectly content not to be on the radio. Though he may have desired popularity more than success, “Slowhand” left The Yardbirds with the intention of forming a trio capable of standing on their own as a musical group. The Yardbirds were straight-ahead blues, but Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce transformed Cream into an unexpected musical stew.
Bruce had already performed with John Mayall and Eric Clapton after leaving The Yardbirds, but they were far more sophisticated than other blues acts because of Baker’s background in jazz. Many bands had attempted to explore the same kind of thrashing open chords that Chuck Berry had pioneered, but Cream could easily break down into lengthy workouts that sent listeners on a journey through their solos alone.
But they had to put together something that sounded like a hit if they wanted to get signed. Although the blues remained the predominant genre, Clapton’s rendition of the blues shuffle “Lawdy Mama” in a straight-forward manner caught the attention of Felix Pappalardi, one of their colleagues.
‘Strange Brew’ emerged as it was slowed down and various words centered around psychedelic imagery were written. But rather than finishing everything in a matter of minutes, if Clapton had his way, he most likely would have worked on the song that could allow them to jam.
Speaking with Classic Albums, Clapton recollected that he didn’t really enjoy the song at first, but he finally gave in when he was told he could include one of his solos on it, stating, “I wasn’t that mad about it.” Although I still don’t think highly of it as a form, I did appreciate that they knew how to do it and that it was possible. It was an unwritten agreement that they allowed me to play a guitar solo as well. I could do an Albert King guitar solo if I gave in and performed this type of pop music.
However, the record succeeded because of its strict structure, which Clapton didn’t particularly enjoy. If the main riff of “Sunshine of Your Love” appeared only once in the song, no matter how many times he became weary of playing it, no fans would be won over. Although the foundation of rock and roll was its lack of rules, “Strange Brew” is a good example of how to apply the “don’t bore us get to the chorus” mindset.
