Ray Edward "Eddie" Cochran (October 3, 1938 - April 17, 1960) was an Americ… Read Full Bio ↴Ray Edward "Eddie" Cochran (October 3, 1938 - April 17, 1960) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. With a charismatic voice that could switch effortlessly between smooth ballads and raucous rockabilly, Cochran epitomized the rebellious '50s rocker. Although killed in a tragic accident at the age of 21, the influence of his brief career, and life, was immeasurable, having inspired many of the greatest artists of the '60s. Cochran's distinctively rough, bass-driven singles (such as "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else", and "Summertime Blues") have granted him the title of "grandfather of punk" by luminaries of the genre.

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.

Ah Pretty Girl
Eddie Cochran Lyrics

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Just you and me, pretty girl
No one's gonna see, pretty girl
Well I feel so good when you hold me tight
So let's make love till the broad daylight
'Cause I love you, mmm, pretty girl
Don't you be so tame, pretty girl
You drive me insane, pretty girl
Everytime your lips meet mine

A funny chill runs up my spine
'Cause I love you, mmm, pretty girl
Come on let me hold you, let me squeeze you tight
Let my arms unfold you, you're mine tonight
Just you and me, pretty girl
No one's gonna see, pretty girl
Well I feel so good when you hold me tight

So let's make love till the broad daylight
'Cause I love you, men, pretty girl

Overall Meaning

In Eddie Cochran's song "Ah Pretty Girl," the singer is addressing his lover, whom he refers to as "pretty girl." The lyrics exhibit a sense of urgency and desire as the singer pleads with his lover to be less tame and to embrace their physical connection. The refrain "I love you, mmm, pretty girl" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the singer's infatuation with his partner.

The first two lines of the verse paint a picture of secrecy and intimacy, suggesting that the singer doesn't want anyone else to see their love. The following lines reveal that physical touch is the source of the singer's pleasure, and he wants to make love until the "broad daylight." The line "every time your lips meet mine, a funny chill runs up my spine" captures the physical sensation of their kiss, further emphasizing the singer's desire.

Ah Pretty GirlEddie Cochran Lyrics

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Ah Pretty Girl
Eddie Cochran Lyrics