the song was included on cream's second album "disraeli gears" in november 1967, which was a best seller. atco records, the group's american label, was initially unsure of the song's potential. after recommendations by other label-affiliated artists, it released an edited single version in december 1967. the song became cream's first and highest charting american single and one of the most popular singles of 1968. in september 1968, it became a modest chart hit after being released in the uk.