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.
Jeanie
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
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I'll a-teach you every dance from way across the sea
Yeah, first we'll hop
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll bop
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll stop
Then rock & roll, we'll do the stroll
My pink carnation & my black slacks too
Yeah, first we'll hop
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll bop
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll stop
Then rock & roll, we'll do the stroll
Well, baby, baby, you won't have to wait
I'll be ready at 8
I keep a-knockin' at your front door
All the cats are hoppin' at the big 5-4
Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie, when we reach the hall
We'll rock around the clock & really have a ball
Yeah, first we'll hop
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll bop
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll stop
Then rock & roll, we'll do the stroll
Well, baby, baby, you won't have to wait
I'll be ready at 8
I keep a-knockin' at your front door
All the cats are hoppin' at the big 5-4
Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie, when we reach the hall
We'll rock around the clock & really have a ball
The song 'Jeanie Jeanie Jeanie' by Eddie Cochran is a classic rock 'n' roll song with a catchy beat and lively lyrics. The song is a story about a boy who wants to take a girl out on a date and teach her all the latest and greatest dances from across the sea. He's got his blue suede shoes, pink carnation, and black slacks on, ready to impress.
The lyrics are simple and repetitive, typical of the rock 'n' roll genre, with the chorus repeating the name "Jeanie" three times. The verses describe the boy's enthusiasm for dancing and his eagerness to take Jeanie out on the town. He promises to be ready at 8 o'clock and knocks on her door, ready to hit the dancefloor and have a good time.
Although the meaning of the song may seem straightforward, it captures the spirit and energy of the rock 'n' roll era, which was all about having fun and letting loose on the dancefloor. The song has become a classic rock 'n' roll anthem and is still played today, over 60 years after it was released.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie, come & dance with me
The singer is asking Jeanie to dance with him.
I'll a-teach you every dance from way across the sea
The singer promises to teach Jeanie different dances from across the sea.
Yeah, first we'll hop
The first dance step is to hop.
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll bop
After hopping, they will do the bop.
Yeah yeah yeah, then we'll stop
They will stop dancing for a while after the bop.
Then rock & roll, we'll do the stroll
Finally, they will dance to rock & roll music and do the stroll.
Well, Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie, got my blue suede shoes
The singer mentions that he has his blue suede shoes, pink carnation, and black slacks.
My pink carnation & my black slacks too
The artist is dressed up for dancing with Jeanie.
Well, baby, baby, you won't have to wait
The artist assures Jeanie that she won't have to wait for him.
I'll be ready at 8
The artist will be ready to go dancing at 8.
I keep a-knockin' at your front door
The singer has been knocking at Jeanie's front door.
All the cats are hoppin' at the big 5-4
Everyone is excited and dancing at the big 5-4 event.
Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie, when we reach the hall
The singer and Jeanie will be dancing at the hall.
We'll rock around the clock & really have a ball
They will dance to the song 'Rock Around the Clock' and have a great time.
Lyrics © JAMIE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO
Written by: GEORGE MOTTOLA, RICKI PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind