We're Going Wrong Explained

We're Going Wrong
Artist:	Cream
Album:	Disraeli Gears^[1]
Released:	November 1967
Recorded:	May 1967 at Atlantic Studios, New York City
Genre:	Psychedelia^[2]
Length:	3:27
Label:	Reaction (UK) Atco (U.S.) Polydor (U.S. Reissue)
Producer:	Felix Pappalardi

"We're Going Wrong" is a song by British supergroup Cream from the album Disraeli Gears. The song was written by bassist Jack Bruce and was the only song on Gears that Jack wrote without lyricist Pete Brown.

Song structure

With the song's lyrics being only two stanzas long,^[3] Jack Bruce's vocals are stretched out throughout the length of the song and are backed by Eric Clapton's psychedelic-style guitar work and Ginger Baker's drum beat which, at least when played live, uses Timpani drum mallets instead of regular drumsticks. The 6/8 time signature also gives the song a distinct and irregular sound. Bruce's vocals are falsetto and crooning-like and are accompanied with a slow bass line and a bluesy/psychedelic guitar melody; however Baker’s drumming is often frenetic and fast paced, making it completely at odds with the rest of the instruments.

Live history

Many of the tracks on Disraeli Gears, including "Sunshine of Your Love", were dropped from Cream's live set in late-1967 and replaced by longer tracks such as the rendition of "Spoonful" and Ginger Baker's instrumental "Toad". "We're Going Wrong", however, achieved occasional play time.

Live album discography

The following Cream live albums releases featured "We're Going Wrong":

1. BBC Sessions
   • Recorded: 30 May 1967 at the BBC Playhouse Theatre, London.
   • Later released on the Disraeli Gears Deluxe Edition^[4]
2. Royal Albert Hall
   • The fourteenth song played in the setlist.^[5]

Compilation appearances

The following Cream compilation albums releases featured "We're Going Wrong":

1. The Very Best of Cream
2. Those Were the Days
3. I Feel Free - Ultimate Cream

Jack Bruce solo versions

A live cover version of the song, recorded 19 August 1971 was released on Bruce's 1995 live release BBC Live in Concert^[6] and later released in 2008 on Spirit.^[7] Another live cover appeared on his 2003 release More Jack Than God.^[8] Another live version was released on HR Big Band Featuring Jack Bruce.^[9]

Moby version

American Electronic musician Moby covered the song for his 2024 album Always Centered at Night.

• Digital single

1. "We’re Going Wrong"
2. "We’re Going Wrong"

Notes and References

1. All song information from the Disraeli Gear Polydor Reissue Liner Notes except Genre & Label
2. Web site: Swanson . Dave . How Going Psychedelic Led to Cream's Masterpiece 'Disraeli Gears' . Ultimate Classic Rock . 21 January 2023 . en.
3. Web site: Untitled 1 . Jackbruce.com . 2012-03-14.
4. Web site: Disraeli Gears - Deluxe Edition . Jack Bruce . 2012-03-14.
5. Web site: Cream 2005 Reunion . Cream2005.com . 2012-03-14.
6. Web site: BBC Live in Concert . Jack Bruce . 1971-08-19 . 2012-03-14.
7. Web site: Spirit . Jack Bruce . 2012-03-14.
8. Web site: More Jack Than God . Jack Bruce . 2012-03-14.
9. Web site: Live at 37. Deutsches Jazzfestival . Jack Bruce . 2006-10-26 . 2012-03-14.