“I Feel Free” is a song first recorded by the British rock band Cream. The song’s lyrics were written by Pete Brown, its music by Jack Bruce. It was the first track on the US issue of their debut album, Fresh Cream (1966), and the band’s second hit single (the first being “Wrapping Paper”). As with all tracks on Cream’s US debut, producer’s credit went to Robert Stigwood. “I Feel Free” showcases the band’s musical diversity, effectively combining blues rock with psychedelic pop. (More from Wikipedia)
The band’s debut album, the fittingly titled Fresh Cream featured a mixture of traditional blues songs as well as band originals. For a band that became renowned for their instrumental solos, the two opening tracks (both written or co-written by Jack Bruce), “I Feel Free” and “N.S.U.” were less than 3 minutes each. “I Feel Free” was co-written with Pete Brown, who became an important songwriting partner with the Cream bandmembers.
As was often true throughout the British Invasion, the British and American releases of Fresh Cream were different. “I Feel Free” is not on the U.K. version even though it was the band’s first single in Britain, while “Spoonful” is omitted from the original American release – happily it is included on my copy, since it is one of my favorite Cream tracks. “Spoonful” is also a standout, extended live track on Wheels of Fire.
(May 2014)
