Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

This month commemorates two big milestones for Eric Clapton. On October 4, 1963 he made his debut with The Yardbirds at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, England as the replacement for original guitarist Anthony “Top” Topham. Then on the same day five years later Clapton’s third band, Cream, played the first show on their farewell tour at Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. It was with Cream that Clapton achieved international stardom and for the band’s final album, “Goodbye”, he co-wrote today’s song with his friend, Beatle George Harrison.

The story the two men told over the years about how the song got its name is this: Harrison had written some of the song on a piece of paper and Clapton was standing on the opposite side so the page was upside down to him. He misread the word “bridge” and asked, “What’s “badge”?” And the name of the track was born. It’s hard to believe that in nearly 35 years of friendship, this was the only tune the two men wrote together. But what a song it is and I cannot think of a better one to mark Day 200 with.

“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 off the ground
Before they bring the curtain down“.

Top: The band Cream circa 1968 (L-R): Eric Clapton (guitar & vocals), Ginger Baker (drums) & Jack Bruce (bass & vocals). Bottom: The band’s 1969 “Goodbye” album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Cream: “Badge” ( 1969, written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison who was initially credited as “L’Angelo Misterioso” due to contractual label issues).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.