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.
Dark Lonely Street
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here am I, I walk alone, I have no love of my own
Now each shadow I pass is my looking glass
On this dark lonely street
I'm in love with the dream, of a girl I've never seen
Out of reach, out of sight, will I find her tonight
On this dark lonely street
Maybe this cigarette, will help me to forget
This dark lonely street
Mmm... mmm... mmm, this dark lonely street
In the song "Dark Lonely Street" by Eddie Cochran, the singer walks alone down a desolate street, reflecting on his unrequited love. He expresses his longing for a female companion whom he has never met, and who is seemingly out of reach. As he passes each shadow, he sees a reflection of himself, providing a metaphor for his lack of identity and direction in life. He questions whether his love is merely a fantasy, wondering if he will ever find the girl of his dreams on this dark, lonely street.
The lyrics of the song are melancholic and represent the emotions of a person who is alone and directionless. The setting of a deserted street amplifies the solitude and despair of the singer, creating a vivid visual of his emotional state. The romantic dream of love that the singer holds onto, along with the cigarette he smokes, suggests that he is attempting to find escape and solace in moments of transient pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm... mmm ... mmm, this dark lonely street
The singer opens the song feeling lost and alone on an empty street.
Here am I, I walk alone, I have no love of my own
He acknowledges his solitude and lack of companionship on this journey.
Now each shadow I pass is my looking glass
The singer is so lonely that he is reflecting on his own appearance through the shadows.
On this dark lonely street
The singer repeats the title phrase to emphasize the themes of isolation and despair.
I'm in love with the dream, of a girl I've never seen
The singer has a desperate need for companionship and imagines finding love in someone he has never met.
Out of reach, out of sight, will I find her tonight
The singer continues to long for a partner, but acknowledges the difficulty of finding love on this daunting street.
On this dark lonely street
Repeating the title yet again, he emphasizes the difficulties of loneliness and finding love.
Is my love just pretend, will this dream never end
The singer worries that his longings for a partner are simply illusions and wonders if he will ever find true love.
Maybe this cigarette, will help me to forget
The singer turns to smoking as a means of numbing his longing and isolation.
This dark lonely street
The song ends on the title phrase, highlighting the central theme of loneliness and despair.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE COCHRAN, JERRY NEAL CAPEHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
Mmm... this dark lonely street
Here am I, I walk alone, I have no love of my own
Now each shadow I pass is my looking glass
On this dark lonely street
I'm in love with the dream of a girl I've never seen
Out of reach, out of sight, will I find her tonight
On this dark lonely street
Is my love just pretend, will this dream never end
Maybe this cigarette will help me to forget
This dark lonely street
Mmm... this dark lonely street
old65rocker
Rest in Peace Eddie, you were the greatest.
Michael Kent
An incredibly deep voice for such a young lad! Incredibly soulful.
Dave Bove
Mega song mega voice still inspiring for young songwriters no matter how old they are
Thx Eddie
SweetDannyV
This is the alternate take version, that I love more than any other. His voice is just so dark and depressed. Fucking incredible. One of Kid Cochran's finest.
kylecrazyford
What a song. I feel that Eddie had two sides to him, like Hank Williams. There's the side that sings Summertime Blues and Twenty Flight Rock, and then there's this side that sings Dark Lonely Street, my Love To Remember and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, just listen to those songs and you'll see what I mean.
Clarice20081
Wow, I didn´t know this song before, thank you for posting, Eddie you are great, see you in heaven
HarryWebb46
The Greatest Rock ' n 'Roll star of the 50's.
Cool Daddy
sorry, the was Elvis. Elvis had everything and could sing everything. Eddie was a great songwriter and guitarist but could not sing a ballad to save his life.
Fernando Maron
@Cool Daddy You're being clueless, I Remember', 'Three Steps to Heaven' and 'Lovin'Time are among the best recorded ballads of the 50's
Cool Daddy
@Fernando Maron Clueless indeed. I was a teen in the 50's. Eddie was never regarded as a good ballad singer. His voice becomes too shaky...cant you hear that? Listen to his lower register, especially on this tune....so bad.