Our 10 Handpicked Best Ginger Baker Songs

Love him or hate him, Ginger Baker wasn’t just the guy who invented the rock drum solo—he was a musical force who refused to be boxed in. This list of the Top 10 Ginger Baker Songs celebrates a career that stretched far beyond pounding drums and flashy solos.

His journey to fame took shape alongside bassist Jack Bruce. The two first played together in Blues Incorporated and the Graham Bond Organisation before reaching legendary status in Cream. Though musically explosive, their personal clashes helped bring Cream’s brief but brilliant run to an end after just four albums.

Baker then teamed up with Eric Clapton again in Blind Faith, a short-lived supergroup that didn’t last long. From there, Ginger Baker’s Air Force brought in jazz and world music influences, adding horns and new textures to his sound. The ’70s saw him living and drumming in Africa, and later, collaborating with everyone from Charlie Haden to Hawkwind.

While he kept exploring new sounds, Baker’s impact on rock was already sealed—and this list spotlights the songs that made him a legend.

“Sweet Wine” – Cream
From Fresh Cream (1966)
This early Cream track shows off Baker’s nonstop energy and precision behind the drums. Co-written with Jane Godfrey, Jack Bruce’s wife, “Sweet Wine” gave Baker space to stretch out as the band’s hidden engine. His dynamic playing helped lay the groundwork for Cream’s jazz-rock experiments that would follow.

“Do What You Like” – Blind Faith
From Blind Faith (1969)
This 15-minute jam ends Blind Faith’s only album with a bang. At around 8:30, Baker launches into a nearly four-minute drum solo that moves from quick bursts to full-on thunder. It’s a wild, genre-blending track that spotlights Baker’s love for improvisation and control.

“Space Chase” – Hawkwind
From Levitation (1980)
Hawkwind turned more instrumental after losing their frontman, and Baker was the perfect fit. “Space Chase” is a fast-paced, spacey track where Baker’s tribal, tom-heavy drumming really shines. Though his stint with Hawkwind was brief, this track proves how easily he could blend rock with world rhythms.

“Strange Brew” – Cream
From Disraeli Gears (1967)
Clapton might get the spotlight on vocals, but it’s Baker’s subtle groove that holds everything together. The song begins with a classic beat, but once the solo kicks in, Baker’s clever fills and smooth shifts make the song far more than a standard blues number.

“T.U.S.A.” – Masters of Reality
From Sunshine on the Sufferbus (1993)
Baker delivers tight, punchy drumming here—but it’s the intro that people remember. His grumpy, hilarious rant about Americans making bad tea is unforgettable. True to form, Baker didn’t stick around long, saying touring got in the way of polo. But this track is pure Ginger: sharp, funny, and rhythmically flawless.

“Spoonful” – Cream
From Fresh Cream (1966)
Where “Strange Brew” shows off Baker’s finesse, “Spoonful” lets him unleash pure power. Cream’s cover of this Willie Dixon blues classic is loud, heavy, and full of intensity. Baker doesn’t just bash the drums—he adds texture through crashing cymbals and precise, well-placed fills. The song, originally a slow-burning blues by Howlin’ Wolf, is transformed into something bold and modern thanks to Baker’s fire behind the kit.

“Sunshine of Your Love” – Cream
From Disraeli Gears (1967)
This Cream classic is built around one of rock’s most famous riffs, but Baker’s thumping tom work is what gives it its muscle. His focus on the downbeat adds a hypnotic groove, almost like an Indian rhythm, reflecting the band’s psychedelic direction. The song helped lay the foundation for heavy blues and influenced bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

“Had to Cry Today” – Blind Faith
From Blind Faith (1969)
This track shifts moods constantly, blending blues, rock, and hints of prog. Clapton and Winwood are in top form here, but it’s Baker’s steady hand that keeps things from falling apart. Lesser drummers would’ve struggled with the tempo changes and shifting dynamics, but Baker handles it like a pro.

“White Room” – Cream
From Wheels of Fire (1968)
The song opens with a mysterious 5/4 beat before diving into its main groove. With trippy lyrics and Clapton’s wah-wah guitar, Baker plays the anchor. His drumming ties together the chaos—matching Bruce’s darker tones and still finding space for flair. That balance helped turn “White Room” into a psychedelic rock anthem.

“Toad” – Cream
From Fresh Cream (1966)
This is Ginger Baker’s moment in the spotlight. After a brief intro, the rest of the band steps back, and Baker launches into a full-blown drum solo. What makes “Toad” stand out is its clarity—no wild, random bashing here. Just smart, layered patterns that showed rock fans how artistic drumming could really be.