Song Information:
“SWLABR” is a song by the British rock band Cream, featured on their 1967 album Disraeli Gears. The title stands for “She Walks Like A Bearded Rainbow,” a phrase created by lyricist Pete Brown, who frequently collaborated with Jack Bruce, the band’s bassist and primary vocalist. The music was composed by Jack Bruce, and the track was recorded during the sessions at Atlantic Studios in New York, produced by Felix Pappalardi.
Despite not being released as a lead single, “SWLABR” appeared as the B-side to “Sunshine of Your Love” in the U.S. and has since become a cult favorite among Cream fans. It captures the psychedelic rock sound of the late 1960s and stands out for its surreal lyrics, heavy riffs, and a cynical tone that sets it apart from love songs of its era.
Song Meaning and Description
At its core, “SWLABR” is a scornful breakup song disguised in psychedelic poetry. The lyrics, full of strange metaphors and vivid imagery, reflect a deep sense of disillusionment and betrayal. Unlike romantic ballads that mourn the loss of love, this track mocks it with biting sarcasm. Lines like “You’ve got that rainbow feel, but the rainbow has a beard” twist the beauty of love into something absurd and grotesque.
Musically, the song is driven by Eric Clapton’s biting guitar work, Bruce’s melodic bass lines, and Ginger Baker’s aggressive drumming. The structure is compact and punchy, matching the sharpness of the lyrics. The energy and tempo reflect the frustration and bitterness at the heart of the message — not heartbreak, but contempt.
This was Cream’s way of flipping the narrative on conventional love songs. Instead of being passive, the narrator strikes back with sarcasm and artistic flair, turning pain into mockery. It’s one of the more lyrically complex and emotionally charged pieces on Disraeli Gears, showing the band’s creative peak.
Explaining the Curious Title: “She Walks Like A Bearded Rainbow”
The phrase “She Walks Like A Bearded Rainbow” is one of the most bizarre titles in classic rock history — and deliberately so. Pete Brown, a poet known for his whimsical and surreal lyricism, coined it while brainstorming with Jack Bruce. According to Brown, the phrase was a parody of psychedelic imagery, poking fun at the overly romanticized, flowery language that filled the music scene in 1967.
A “rainbow” usually symbolizes hope, beauty, and transformation. But once you add “a beard” to it, the image becomes confusing — even grotesque. This jarring contrast is intentional. It suggests that what once appeared beautiful (a lover, a relationship) now seems absurd or unnatural upon closer inspection. It’s a metaphor for seeing through illusions — especially romantic ones.
Brown later said the song was about destroying an illusion, not just losing love. It’s the moment you realize you were fooled by appearances, and now, with clarity, you’re not sad — you’re angry, even amused. “SWLABR” is therefore less about heartbreak and more about disillusionment — a theme that remains timeless.