"Wrapping Paper" is a song by the British rock group Cream. Bassist and singer Jack Bruce composed the music, with lyrics by Pete Brown. In 1966, Reaction Records released the song on their debut single, with "Cat's Squirrel" as the B-side.[3] It reached number 34 on the UK Singles Chart in 1966.[4] The song was later included on the compilation albums Superstarshine Vol. 6 / Cream (1972), The Very Best of Cream (1995)[5] and Those Were the Days (1997).[6]

"Wrapping Paper"
Sweden picture sleeve
Single by Cream
B-side"Cat's Squirrel"
ReleasedOctober 1966 (1966-10)[1]
RecordedAugust 1966[2]
StudioRayik, Chalk Farm
GenrePop, music hall
Length2:25
LabelReaction[1]
Composer(s)Jack Bruce
Lyricist(s)Pete Brown
Producer(s)Robert Stigwood
Cream UK singles chronology
"Wrapping Paper"
(1966)
"I Feel Free"
(1966)

Background

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In contrast with the hard blues rock of other early Cream songs such as "N.S.U." and the psychedelic pop-style of "I Feel Free", "Wrapping Paper" has a distinctive slow jazz-like style.[citation needed] The song reflects the band's iconoclastic persona, their desire to confuse their audience, their interest in the absurdist art movement of the time, and refusal to fit into accepted and orthodox musical styles and categories.[citation needed]

The lyrics to "Wrapping Paper" talk about a man who lost his love and finds himself constantly looking at a picture of himself and his love and keeps wishing to go back "to the house on the shore." The song's lyrics share common similarities with the songs "Dreaming" and "The Coffee Song".[citation needed]

Personnel

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Charts

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Year Single Position
UK Top 40
October
1966
"Wrapping Paper" /
"Cat's Squirrel"
34[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Strong, Martin Charles (2002). The Great Rock Discography. The National Academies. p. 323. ISBN 978-1-84195-312-0.
  2. ^ Clapton, Eric (2007). Clapton: The Autobiography. New York City: Broadway Books. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-7679-2536-5.
  3. ^ "Cream - Wrapping Paper". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Wrapping Paper | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ^ "The Very Best of Cream - Cream | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Those Were the Days - Cream | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Cream – Singles". Official Charts. Retrieved 25 February 2020.