Badge
Cream Lyrics
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Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table
I told you not to wander 'round in the dark
I told you 'bout the swans, that they live in the park
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel
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 from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down
Yes, before they bring the curtain down, ooh
Get up, get up, get up (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Yeah, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Yeah, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
She cried away her life since she fell out the cradle
The lyrics to Cream's song Badge can be interpreted as a reflection of a past relationship. The singer seems to be thinking about a woman who used to ride with him in his car, and he may have pushed her too far in their relationship. He is thinking about the love they shared, which she laid on his table. This could refer to the emotional weight of her love that he feels burdened by, or possibly the tangible gifts or tokens of her love that she gave him.
The singer warns her not to wander in the dark, citing the danger of the swans that live in the park. He also mentions their child being married to Mabel. These lines add depth to their backstory and imply that their relationship goes back some time. He then points out that the light goes up and down, and the wheel keeps turning, urging her to pick herself up before the curtain falls.
The chorus is a call to action, telling her to get up and move on from the past. The final verse mentions a girl who looks quite like her, who couldn't wait in line, and has cried away her life since falling out of the cradle. This could be a reference to the danger of the fast-paced lifestyle that the singer's love interest was caught up in, and a warning for her to not fall victim to the same fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinkin' 'bout the times you drove in my car
Reflecting on our memories together when you rode in my car.
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far
Wondering if I pushed you too hard or took our experiences too far.
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table
Recalling and cherishing the love you gave me.
I told you not to wander 'round in the dark
Warning you to be careful and not stray into danger.
I told you 'bout the swans, that they live in the park
Sharing my knowledge with you, like how swans reside in the park.
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel
Updating you on our child, who is now wedded to Mabel.
Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down
Teaching you that the brightness in life fluctuates.
Don't you notice how the wheel goes 'round?
Can't you see that life is unpredictable and constantly changing?
And you better pick yourself up from the ground
Advising you to stop wallowing in sorrow and move forward.
Before they bring the curtain down
Before life reaches its inevitable end.
Get up, get up, get up (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Encouraging you to stand up and persevere despite challenges.
Yeah, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Reinforcing the uplifting sentiment of the previous line.
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
Speaking about a woman who resembles you in appearance.
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
Describing a woman who can't wait in life and is always in a hurry.
She cried away her life since she fell out the cradle
Portraying a woman who mourns and ruins her existence since birth.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Patrick Clapton, George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@muffs55mercury61
A time in history that will never ever be duplicated again.
@PennPearson
So true. It was a golden era. I remember it well.
@marclayne9261
1969....I heard this song, age 14....
@joesix-pack4022
"duplicated again"? Tautology? 🤔
@yousefabdelmonem3788
@Joe Six-Pack It did get duplicated once but that was a mistake 👍
@zagagrad
Oh yeah!
@syncrolecyne
This song NEVER ages.
@pablozewoppa
You are 100% correct
@halliebrokerassistant1726
Always
@halliebrokerassistant1726
Seven years later