Eric Clapton and George Harrison: The Story Behind 'Badge' and Their Enduring Musical Partnership
Cream's 1969 album "Goodbye" featured a collaboration between Eric Clapton and George Harrison on a song that was initially mis-titled as "Badge." The song marked the duo's first collaboration and was a result of Clapton needing to come up with a song for the album. The miscommunication about the title of the song led to its final name, "Badge," and it became a part of Cream's final release.
The lyrics of "Badge" reflect on past memories and relationships, with references to driving in a car, love, and advice about not wandering in the dark. The song showcases the musical chemistry between Clapton and Harrison, with Ringo Starr also contributing a line about swans living in the park. The track captures the essence of their collaboration and friendship during that period.
Following their work on "Badge," Clapton and Harrison continued to collaborate on various projects throughout the late 1960s to the 1980s. They worked together on Jackie Lomax's single "Sour Milk Sea" in 1968 and Clapton played guitar on Harrison's solo albums "All Things Must Pass" and "Cloud Nine." Their musical partnership extended to Clapton's album "Journeyman," where Harrison contributed the track "Run So Far," showcasing their enduring creative connection.
Harrison's contributions to Clapton's music extended beyond "Run So Far," as he also offered two more songs for the "Journeyman" album: "Cheer Down" and "That Kind Of Woman." "Cheer Down," co-written with Tom Petty, appeared on the soundtrack for "Lethal Weapon 2," while "That Kind Of Woman" was covered by Clapton in 1990. Their collaborative efforts spanned decades and showcased the mutual respect and admiration between the two iconic musicians.