Ray Edward Cochran was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota; however, as his parents were from Oklahoma, he considered himself an Oklahoman, and introduced himself as such in interviews. He took music lessons in school, but eventually quit the band to play drums. Rather than take piano lessons, Cochran began learning guitar, playing the country music he heard on the radio. As time went on, Cochran moved to Los Angeles, California in 1953. Together with Hank Cochran, Eddie formed The Cochran Brothers, though the two shared no relation.
Around the same time, Cochran worked as a session musician, but aspired to be a songwriter and artist in his own right, and recorded a demo with songwriting partner and future manager, Jerry Capeheart. Cochran's first notable foray into the public eye was as one of the many performing artists featured in the musical comedy film The Girl Can't Help It starring Jayne Mansfield, eventually resulting in a recording contract with Liberty. He would follow up on this appearance by appearing in several films of the same genre. He also performed as a support act for such stars as Gene Vincent and Little Richard, who were among Cochran's co-stars in the aforementioned film.
For his recordings, Cochran often used experimental techniques that would later become part and parcel for other recording artists, notably recording numerous overdubs in order to create the rich, distinctive guitar sound for "Summertime Blues" and "C'mon Everybody". "Twenty Flight Rock", the song Cochran performed in The Girl Can't Help It, was the very first song a young Paul McCartney played for John Lennon as his audition for Lennon's group, The Quarrymen, which would later metamorphose into The Beatles.
Cochran was killed in an automobile accident in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England during a tour of Britain with Gene Vincent. Vincent and Cochran's fiancee, who were both in the car, survived the crash. Scholars have noted that, somewhat eerily, Cochran's last single release in his lifetime was "Three Steps to Heaven", although the song's lyrical context has nothing to do with death. Cochran's death occurred little over a year after the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, to whom he paid tribute in his recording of the song "Three Stars", which remained unreleased until 1966.
A majority of Cochran's recorded legacy would be released posthumously; in his lifetime, only one album, Singin' to My Baby (1957), was ever released. Perhaps owing to the brevity of his career, Cochran never attained the same star status as other rockers of the era; however, his lyrical themes of teenage desires and rebellion, being somewhat more morose and raucous than his contemporaries, had a profound influence on many of the greatest artists of the '60s and '70s, such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones.
Summertime Blues
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
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About a-workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby, try to get a date
My boss says, "no dice son, you gotta work late"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a-gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Well, my mom and pop told me, "son, you gotta make some money"
If you want to use the car to go ridin' next Sunday
Well, I didn't go to work, told the boss I was sick
"Well, you can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
I'm gonna take two weeks, gonna have a fine vacation
I'm gonna take my problem to the United Nations
Well, I called my congressman and he said "whoa!"
"I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
The lyrics of "Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochran is a social commentary about a young man frustrated with his working conditions and the limitations it places on his personal life. The opening line "I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler" sets the tone for the song's message. The singer is working hard all summer to earn a dollar, but every time he tries to enjoy himself or take some time off, he is met with resistance from his boss or parents. The line "Every time I call my baby, try to get a date, My boss says, "no dice son, you gotta work late" highlights the frustration experienced by young working-class individuals who struggle to find a balance between work and personal life.
The second verse contains the same message, with the singer faking being sick to avoid working, only to be told later that he couldn't use the car because he didn't work a day. This verse reflects the limited opportunities available to young people and the expectation that they work hard to earn any privileges they may have. The line "Well, my mom and pop told me, "son, you gotta make some money" signifies the pressure that parents often place on their children to work hard and support themselves financially.
The final verse shows the singer's reaction to the ongoing frustration he faces. He decides to take two weeks' vacation, but even then, his problem doesn't get solved. He tries to take his complaint to a higher authority, the United Nations, but even that effort fails as he is told that he is too young to vote. The final line, "there ain't no cure for the summertime blues," can be seen as a statement about the difficulties young people face as they try to navigate the societal expectations placed upon them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
I am going to complain loudly and make a scene.
About a-workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
I am frustrated that I have to work hard all summer just to make a little money.
Every time I call my baby, try to get a date
Whenever I try to make plans with my girlfriend, I encounter obstacles.
My boss says, "no dice son, you gotta work late"
My boss is not willing to give me time off to have fun.
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a-gonna do
I am feeling uncertain and worried about my situation.
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fix my problems.
Well, my mom and pop told me, "son, you gotta make some money"
My parents have encouraged me to work hard and earn a living.
If you want to use the car to go ridin' next Sunday
In order to use the car for recreation, I need to have some money saved up.
Well, I didn't go to work, told the boss I was sick
I called in sick to my job in order to have some free time.
"Well, you can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick"
My boss is punishing me for not working by taking away my ability to use the car.
I'm gonna take two weeks, gonna have a fine vacation
I plan to take some time off to relax and enjoy myself.
I'm gonna take my problem to the United Nations
I am so frustrated that I feel like I need to seek help from an international organization.
Well, I called my congressman and he said "whoa!"
I tried to get help from my local representative, but he was surprised by my request.
"I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"
My congressman is unable to help me because I am not yet of voting age.
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
I am still uncertain and worried about my situation.
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fix my problems.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind