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.
Cut Across Shorty
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a city boy named Dan
Had to prove who could run the fastest
To win miss Lucy's hand
Now Dan had all the money
And he also had the looks
But Shorty must have had something, boys
That can't be found in books
Well, a-cut across shorty, shorty cut across
That's what miss Lucy said
Cut across shorty, shorty cut across
It's you I want to wed
Now Dan had been in training
A week before the race
He made up his mind old Shorty
Would end in second place
And Dan with his long legs a-flyin'
Left shorty far behind
And shorty heard him holler out
Miss Lucy, you'll soon be mine
Well, a-cut across shorty, shorty cut across
That's what miss Lucy said
Cut across shorty, shorty cut across
It's you I want to wed
But shorty wasn't worried
There was a smile upon his face
He knew that he was a-goin' to win
'Cause Lucy had fixed the race
And just like that old story
About the turtle and the hare
When Dan crossed over the finish line
He found shorty waiting there
Well, a-cut across shorty, shorty cut across
That's what miss Lucy said
Cut across shorty, shorty cut across
It's you I want to wed
It's you I want to wed
It's you I want to wed
It's you I want to wed
The lyrics of Eddie Cochran's song "Cut Across Shorty" tell a classic story of a race for love. A city boy named Dan and a country boy called Shorty compete to win the heart of Miss Lucy. Dan has the advantage of both money and good looks, but Shorty seems to have something special that money can't buy.
The race begins, and Dan, who has been training for a week, quickly takes the lead using his long legs. Shorty, however, isn't worried - he knows that Lucy has already fixed the race for him to win. In the end, Shorty outsmarts Dan and wins the race, proving that it's not just about physical ability but also about wit and charm.
The song can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles between rural and urban areas in the 1950s, as well as the divide between money and character. The lyrics demonstrate Cochran's keen ability to tell a story with rich characterizations and vivid imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Now a country boy called Shorty
The singer of the story is Shorty, a boy from the countryside.
And a city boy named Dan
The antagonist of the story is Dan, a boy from the city.
Had to prove who could run the fastest
Dan and Shorty had to compete in a race to determine who was faster.
To win miss Lucy's hand
The prize for winning the race was the hand in marriage of Lucy, the girl they both love.
Now Dan had all the money
Dan was wealthy.
And he also had the looks
Dan was attractive.
But Shorty must have had something, boys
Shorty must have had some unique quality or characteristic.
That can't be found in books
This quality cannot be learned or studied from books.
Well, a-cut across shorty, shorty cut across
Lucy gave Shorty the advice to cut across the course to win the race.
That's what miss Lucy said
This is Lucy's advice to Shorty.
It's you I want to wed
Lucy wants to marry Shorty.
Now Dan had been in training
Dan had been preparing for the race for a week.
A week before the race
Dan had been in training for a week prior to the race.
He made up his mind old Shorty
Dan was confident that he would beat Shorty in the race.
Would end in second place
Dan believed that Shorty would not be able to beat him in the race.
And Dan with his long legs a-flyin'
Dan was running fast due to his long legs.
Left shorty far behind
Dan was far ahead of Shorty in the race.
And shorty heard him holler out
Shorty heard Dan yelling out during the race.
Miss Lucy, you'll soon be mine
Dan was confident that he would win the race and marry Lucy.
But shorty wasn't worried
Shorty was not concerned about losing the race.
There was a smile upon his face
Shorty was happy and calm.
He knew that he was a-goin' to win
Shorty was confident that he would win the race.
Cause Lucy had fixed the race
Lucy had arranged for Shorty to win the race, despite Dan's preparation and efforts.
And just like that old story
The events of the story are similar to the tale of the tortoise and the hare.
About the turtle and the hare
This refers to Aesop's fable of a slow-moving tortoise and an overconfident hare.
When Dan crossed over the finish line
Dan finished the race first.
He found shorty waiting there
Shorty had already crossed the finish line and was waiting for Dan.
It's you I want to wed
Lucy still wants to marry Shorty, despite Dan's loss.
It's you I want to wed
Lucy reiterates that she wants to marry Shorty, no matter the outcome of the race.
It's you I want to wed
Lucy confirms her desire to marry Shorty as the story ends.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIJOHN WILKIN, WAYNE P. WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PhilBaird1
When discussions of the greatest 'singles' come up in conversation, I always reckon Eddie's Three Steps with this on the B-side deserves to be on the shortlist. He still sounds so fresh and talented all these years later.
@vintagebrew1057
I am partial but to me its a near perfect recording. It will never fade. Pete Townsend said he still gets choked up whenever he hears the opening riff.
@darylgrimes4484
My dad taught me well, I envy all the people who grew up with this sort of music.
@locdog6133
i love this song
@justiceforall6412
That rhythm-tempo change was pretty revolutionary then. You don't hear that anymore either.
@christopheseguin2709
Super chanson et super musique 👍😍
@MichaelDaily1
From the summer of 1960. I first found this gem as the flip side of "Three Steps To Heaven". Oh nirvana...I loved Eddie Cochran from the time I first heard "Summertime Blues" in 1958. My appreciation for him and his music has only grown over these many years. Eddie holds a special place in the history of rock, his sound and his energy has never been replaced, copied, yes, but replaced never....if you like this song find one of Eddy's Greatest Hits albums and enjoy. MK 2019
@robotnik77
This is correct speed, but it's not the released version. Eddie was still refining it. He fixed the weak ending and did a better, more aggressive vocal. I wish he had kept that driving bass in the released version, tho'.
@MrPopeye776
Eddie was is and forever will be my top fave.
@runeraj
The last time I listened to this song it was over 5 years ago on the way to watch a football game with my late grandfather. Its mad how a song written 60 years ago can make someone in 2020 feel so many emotions