Although they were only together for two years, the impact that British power trio Cream had upon the world is truly remarkable. No song illustrates this better than 'Sunshine of Your Love,' which mixed hard rock with aspects of psychedelia to wonderful effect. 

The song centers around what is perhaps one of the most simplistic guitar riffs of all time, courtesy of "Slowhand" himself, Eric Clapton.

In many ways though, the song's restraint is what propels it forward, although Clapton's remarkable skill with the guitar are on prominent display throughout the solo section.

With vocal duties shared between Clapton and Jack Bruce, as the latter's menacing bass gives the song it's hefty low end, drummer Ginger Baker cuts slightly loose during the song's chorus but otherwise keeps time as if he were in a military band.

The song was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, rising to the No. 5 position on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles in 1968, and it's pretty clear the band's peers were impressed. We'd venture a guess that Jimi Hendrix would have given this song a spot on his own personal Top 100 Classic Rock Songs list, as the guitar legend began adding the song to his concert setlists right away -- much as he had done with the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'

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Watch Cream Perform 'Sunshine of Your Love'

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