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.
Drive in Show
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know just the very place to go
I'll be over, pick you up at eight
This will be our very first date
When we're parkin' in the drive-in show
We'll be sittin' in the moonlight row
I'll bet my peanuts to a candy bar
You'll be cuter than a movie star
When it's over and we're headin' back
We'll stop in for just a little snack
Six hot dogs oughtta be just right
After such a wonderful night
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
Come on, baby, to a drive-in show
I know just the very place to go
I'll be over, pick you up at eight
This will be our very first date
When we're parkin' in the drive-in show
We'll be sittin' in the moonlight row
I'll bet my peanuts to a candy bar
You'll be cuter than a movie star
When it's over and we're headin' back
We'll stop in for just a little snack
Six hot dogs oughtta be just right
After such a wonderful night
Come on, baby, to a drive-in show (doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
I know just the very place to go (doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
I'll be over, pick you up at eight (doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
This will be our very first date (doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
The song is an upbeat and playful invitation to a first date at the drive-in movies. The singer is confident and excited about taking his date to the drive-in show. He promises to pick her up at eight and take her to the "very place to go". When they arrive, they will park in the moonlight row where they can snuggle up and enjoy the show. The singer is smitten with his date and proclaims that she'll be "cuter than a movie star." After the movie, they'll stop for a little snack, and the singer suggests that six hot dogs will be just right.
The lyrics evoke a sense of youthful enthusiasm, adventure, and romance. The drive-in movie was a popular destination for teenagers in the 1950s and 1960s. It offered a unique and exciting way to watch a movie while sitting in the comfort of your own car. The moonlight row was especially popular for couples who wanted a bit of privacy while watching the film.
Eddie Cochran perfectly captures the excitement and anticipation of a first date. He highlights the importance of creating a comfortable and fun environment for the other person. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it a classic rock and roll hit that was popular in the late 1950s.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, baby, to a drive-in show
Let's go to a drive-in theater, my dear.
I know just the very place to go
I have a particular drive-in theater in mind.
I'll be over, pick you up at eight
I will come and collect you at 8 PM.
This will be our very first date
This is going to be our first romantic meeting.
When we're parkin' in the drive-in show
When we arrive to park at the drive-in theater.
We'll be sittin' in the moonlight row
We will be seated in a desirable spot in the theater.
I'll bet my peanuts to a candy bar
I'm certain that you'll be more attractive than any movie star.
You'll be cuter than a movie star
Your looks will surpass even those of the famous actors.
When it's over and we're headin' back
When the film ends and we leave the theater for home.
We'll stop in for just a little snack
We'll grab a quick bite to eat at a roadside diner.
Six hot dogs oughtta be just right
Six hot dogs should be enough to satisfy our hunger.
After such a wonderful night
Following such a lovely evening.
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
Instrumental
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
Instrumental
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
Instrumental
(Doo-doo-doodley-doodley-doo-doo-doo)
Instrumental
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Fred Dexter, Clair Kane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HarryWebb46
I'll bet Eddie knew EXACTLY what he was recording! His sense of humour is legendary. 😁
HarryWebb46
I'll bet Eddie knew EXACTLY what he was recording! His sense of humour is legendary. 😁
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1957 {September 11th} Eddie Cochran appeared as one of the acts in Alan Freed's 'The Biggest Show of Stars for 1957' concert* at the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio...
At the time his "Drive-In Show" was at #82 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and that was also its peak position on the chart, it spent 6 weeks on the Top 100...
According to Billboard it was actually tied at #82 with three other records; "I Like Your Kind of Love" by Andy Williams, "Soft Sands" by the Chordettes, and "Third Finger, Left Hand" by Eileen Rodgers {and of course they are all available on You Tube}...
* Must have been a great show; some of the other acts to appear were Fats Domino, the Crickets, Chuck Berry, Paul Anka, Frankie Lymon, Clyde McPhatter, the Everly Brothers, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the Bobbettes, Buddy Knox, Johnnie & Joe, the Spaniels, and Jimmy Bowen...
gdouglas999
This wasn't as big as some of his other hits but it was always my favorite of them all.
thebigfist
My favorite song by Eddie Cochran. Another great rock-a billy/ rocker who died way too soon,in a car-crash after a performance in England.
Jim Johnston
Their are rock and rollers. And then there is Eddie, the king!
sueforsoftails
I remember this song from when I was in grade school in the 1950's. Had it on a 78 record.
thebigfist
This is another song where the more you hear it ,the better you like it!
TK 1969 OK
The lyrics are "peanuts." But he really did sing "penis" and that's how you get away with that shit back in the day.
Old Exit
@Mendy7952 he probably forgot he was in the old fart section of youtube