In the 1980s, Setzer fronted the popular rockabilly band, Stray Cats. Stray Cats caught America's attention with the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top Ten hits, Rock This Town (#9) and Stray Cat Strut (#3), as well as with the follow-up 1983 album Rant N Rave, which included the two successful singles (She's) Sexy + 17 (#5), and I Won't Stand In Your Way (#35).
In the 1990s, Setzer led a comeback of sorts for swing music and big band music, when he formed Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has released 5 albums to date and one live DVD. This group had one hit, Jump, Jive, and Wail around the same time songs like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies Zoot Suit Riot had been received favorably in mainstream America.
Brian Setzer also recorded some solo albums during Stray Cats' break in the 1980s along with some in the 1990s. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his band '68 Comeback Special. A new solo album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records was released on July 26, 2005, in the United States.
Massapequa
Summer Time Blues
Brian Setzer Lyrics
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I´m a gonna raise a holler
about working all summer just to try to earn a dollar every
time i call my baby trying to get a date
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 popa told me
if you want to use the car to go a-riding next sunday
well I didn´t go to work told the boss I was sick
now 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
gonna take two weeks gonna have a fine vacation
gonna take my problem to the united nations
well I called my congress man and he said quote
"I would like to help you son but your to 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 Brian Setzer are a reflection on the frustration and discontent that can come along with working hard throughout the summer, all for the sake of earning a dollar. The song follows the singer as he attempts to get a date with his baby while constantly being rebuffed by his boss, who demands he work even late on occasion. Even when he manages to take a day off of work, he finds himself being punished for it by his parents, who won't allow him to use the car he needs to go out with his girlfriend.
As the song proceeds, the singer grows more and more desperate for a solution to his problem. He declares that he'll take two weeks to go on vacation, but when he tries to turn to his government for help, he's met with resistance too. The final lines of the song emphasize that although he's feeling frustrated in the moment, there's no real "cure" for the summertime blues.
Overall, the song is reflective of the stress and uncertainty that can come along with adolescence, particularly as young people find themselves caught between their personal lives, their commitments to work or school, and the expectations of their families and society at large.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm a gonna raise a fuss
I'm going to complain loudly
I'm a gonna raise a holler
I'm going to make a lot of noise
about working all summer just to try to earn a dollar every time i call my baby trying to get a date
I am frustrated because I have to work all summer just to go on a date with my girlfriend
boss says no dice son you gotta work late
My boss says that I have to work late and cannot go on a date with my girlfriend
sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do
I often worry about what I should do
but there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for my summertime blues
well my mom and popa told me son you gotta make some money
My parents advised me to earn some money
if you want to use the car to go a-riding next sunday
If I want to use the car for a leisurely ride on Sunday
well I didn't go to work told the boss I was sick
I played hooky from work by claiming to be sick
now you can't use the car cause you didn't work a lick
Since I didn't work, I cannot use the car for my leisurely ride
gonna take two weeks gonna have a fine vacation
I am going on a two-week vacation
gonna take my problem to the united nations
I am going to take my problem to the United Nations (as a joke)
well I called my congress man and he said quote "I would like to help you son but your to young to vote"
I called my congressman, but he informed me that I am too young to vote and thus cannot help me
sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
I often reflect on my current struggles and wonder what my next moves should be
but there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for my summertime blues
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE COCHRAN, JERRY NEAL CAPEHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind