The group's sound was hard to categorize, but was definitely blues-based, psychedelic, and very loud. The band has been subsequently acclaimed as an influence on garage rock, punk rock, heavy metal, and grunge. Julian Cope has written, "In 1968, nothing but nothing in America and Britain sounded as brutal as Blue Cheer except for The Velvet Underground."
The group underwent several personnel changes after the 1968 release of Outsideinside, and then through yet more changes during and after 1969's New! Improved! Blue Cheer (different guitarists on side 1 and 2). After Leigh Stephens was replaced by Randy Holden, formerly of Los Angeles garage rock band The Other Half, in 1968, Blue Cheer's style changed to a more commercial hard rock sound à la Steppenwolf or Iron Butterfly. For the fourth album Blue Cheer, Holden, who had left during the third album, was subsequently replaced by Bruce Stephens. Stephens later quit and was replaced by Gary Lee Yoder, who helped complete the album.
The new line up of Peterson, Ralph Burns Kellogg, Norman Mayell, and Yoder in 1970 saw the release of The Original Human Being and then 1971's Oh! Pleasant Hope. When Oh! Pleasant Hope failed to dent the sales charts, Blue Cheer temporarily split up.
From 1988 to 1993, Blue Cheer toured mainly in Europe. During this time, they played with classic rock acts as well as then-up-and-coming bands: Mountain, Outlaws, Thunder, Groundhogs, Ten Years After, Yardbirds, Danzig, Mucky Pup, Biohazard and others.
On the Nibelung Records label they released several albums. 1989 saw the release of Blue Cheer's first official live album, Blitzkrieg over Nüremberg. This album was recorded on Blue Cheer's first European tour in decades. The drum chair was then taken by Dave Salce; bass by Dickie Peterson; guitar by Duck McDonald.
1990 saw the release of Highlights & Lowlives studio album, comprised of blues-based hard rock, sometimes reminiscent of Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones, and several ballads. The album was produced by notable grunge producer Jack Endino. The line-up was Peterson on bass and vocals, Paul Whaley on drums, and Duck McDonald on guitars.
Blue Cheer followed up "Highlights" with the much heavier Dining with the Sharks. McDonald was replaced by German ex-Monsters guitar player Dieter Saller. Peterson was on bass and vocals again, and Paul Whaley was again on drums. Also featured is a special guest appearance by Groundhogs guitarist Tony McPhee. The album was produced by Roland Hofmann.
In the early 1990s, Peterson and Whaley re-located to Germany. Whaley still lives there. Guitar work has been handled by Duck MacDonald since that time. Blue Cheer are still active as of 2009. Peterson reunited with Leigh Stephens and performed with drummer Prairie Prince at the Chet Helms Memorial Tribal Stomp in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in Fall of 2005, and their lively performance drew old rockers like Paul Kantner and others from backstage to observe. They did some recordings in Virginia in Winter 2005 with Joe Hasselvander of Raven and Pentagram on drums. Paul Whaley has since returned to the band as drummer. The group's 2007 CD, "What Doesn't Kill You...", features contributions from both Whaley and Hasselvander. In 2009, Peterson died in Germany, leading to the cessation of Blue Cheer.
Blue Cheer's video for Summertime Blues made an appearance in 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, where Geddy Lee of Rush referred to the group as one of the first heavy metal bands.
The band have also been regarded as the godfathers of stoner rock bands like Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Nebula and Monster Magnet have cited their "heavy-fuzz rock" as a massive influence on them.
Summertime Blues
Blue Cheer Lyrics
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About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Well, Lord, I tried to call my baby, I tried to get a date
Sometimes, I wonder what I'm gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Well my mom and papa told me son you gotta make some money
Well if you wanna use the car to go a ridin' next sunday
Oh, Lord, I didn't go to work I told the boss I was sick, said
Sometimes, I wonder what I'm gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
I've got to take three weeks I gotta have a fine vacation
I gotta take my problems to the United Nations
I done told my congress man and he said "vote" (dig this boy)
Sometimes, I wonder what I'm gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
I gotta take three weeks I gotta have a fine vacation
I gotta take my problems to the United Nations
I done told my congress man and he said "vote" (dig this boy)
Sometimes, I wonder what I'm gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Woah, there ain't no cure
Blue Cheer's "Summertime Blues" is a lamentation of the struggles of summertime work and the financial means to enjoy the season. The singer is working all summer long just to earn a dollar, and they can't even take their girlfriend out on a date because they can't afford it. The song talks about how the singer is stuck in a cycle of working to earn money, yet he still can't use his car unless he pays for it, which emphasizes his financial hardships. The singer even goes as far as to contemplate taking his issues to the United Nations and Congress.
The idea of having the "summertime blues" is relatable to many people, especially those who work seasonal jobs, so the song has become a sort of anthem for those who feel the same way. The singer is frustrated with their situation but feels like there is nothing they can do to change it. The repetition of the phrase "Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues" serves as a reminder to listeners that they are not alone in feeling this way and that sometimes, we just have to push through difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Lord I got to raise a fuss, Lord I got to raise a holler
I have to make a lot of noise about something bothering me
About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
I've been working all summer to make some money
Well, Lord, I tried to call my baby, I tried to get a date
I tried to contact my girlfriend, but it didn't work out
Sometimes, I wonder what I'm gonna do
Occasionally, I feel lost and uncertain about my future
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
There's no solution to the feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction during the summer
Well my mom and papa told me son you gotta make some money
My parents taught me the value of hard work and making money
Well if you wanna use the car to go a ridin' next sunday
If I want to use the car for leisure activities next Sunday
Oh, Lord, I didn't go to work I told the boss I was sick, said
I called in sick to avoid going to work
I've got to take three weeks I gotta have a fine vacation
I need to take a three-week vacation and have a good time
I gotta take my problems to the United Nations
I feel like my problems are so big they need to be addressed by an international organization
I done told my congress man and he said "vote" (dig this boy)
I talked to my congressman and he suggested I participate in the democratic process
Woah, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
There's no remedy for the feeling of discontentment during the summer
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind