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.
Jelly Bean
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well that's the name we picked for you
And it fits you to-a-t
And now I tell you why it's true
Cause you're sweet 'n' swell 'n' round
And a-pretty to the pound, jelly bean
There's a guy who lives in our block
Each night he comes around the street
Packin' his guitar
Stops at jelly bean's house
That pretty little thing
Bows his head and bends his knees
You oughta hear him sing
Jelly bean comes to the window
And she listens for a while
Never even blinks her eye, always in a smile
Tosses up her pretty curls and turns to go
Packs his guitar on more time
And sings his tale of woe
The lyrics to Eddie Cochran's song, "Jelly Bean," are about a girl named Jelly Bean who is described by the singer as being sweet, round, and pretty. The singer explains that Jelly Bean is the perfect name for her as it fits her perfectly. He then goes on to tell the story of how a man named Curly Carr comes to their block each night with his guitar and stops at Jelly Bean's house to serenade her. Jelly Bean listens to his songs without even blinking an eye and always with a smile on her face. The singer paints a picture of a beautiful girl who is loved and admired by everyone around her.
The song is written in a simple, yet effective manner, using metaphors and vivid descriptions to portray Jelly Bean as a sweet and innocent girl. The lyrics are so catchy that they might make you picture a sweet and innocent girl in your mind too. The mix of the lyrics and the upbeat guitar riffs are what make this song stand out, and it's a classic example of a 50's rock and roll song.
Overall, "Jelly Bean" is a cheerful and upbeat love song that tells the romantic story of a girl who captures the heart of a musician. The lyrics are simple, but they tell a beautiful story that anyone can relate to. The song leaves the listener feeling uplifted and hopeful.
Line by Line Meaning
Jelly bean, jelly bean
Addressing a person named Jelly Bean as the subject of the song
Well that's the name we picked for you
Explaining how Jelly Bean got its name, which was picked by someone else
And it fits you to-a-t
Suggesting that the name suits Jelly Bean's personality and appearance perfectly
And now I tell you why it's true
Preparing the listener to hear why Jelly Bean's name is fitting
Cause you're sweet 'n' swell 'n' round
Listing the qualities that make Jelly Bean sweet and lovely, like their rounded appearance
And a-pretty to the pound, jelly bean
Emphasizing that Jelly Bean is not only sweet and lovely, but also proportional and elegant
There's a guy who lives in our block
Introducing another character who lives nearby
His name is curly carr
Identifying this character by name
Each night he comes around the street
Explaining the regularity of Curly's visits to the neighborhood
Packin' his guitar
Describing the instrument Curly always brings with him
Stops at jelly bean's house
Revealing the true reason for Curly's visits to the neighborhood
That pretty little thing
Complimenting Jelly Bean's physical appearance again
Bows his head and bends his knees
Portraying Curly as respectful and deferential to Jelly Bean
You oughta hear him sing
Inviting the listener to imagine what it's like to hear Curly's music
Jelly bean comes to the window
Turning the focus back to Jelly Bean's perspective
And she listens for a while
Showing that Jelly Bean is interested in Curly's music
Never even blinks her eye, always in a smile
Expressing how Jelly Bean reacts positively to Curly's music
Tosses up her pretty curls and turns to go
Portraying Jelly Bean as playful and flirtatious
Packs his guitar on more time
Indicating that Curly is ready to leave, but not before one more song
And sings his tale of woe
Describing the content of Curly's music, which is often sad or melancholy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MAURICE MCCALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kodi1969
its sad that his grave is looking in a bad way... My Home town of Chipenham (UK) is where Eddie had his accident, a lovely memorial on the spot of the accident and we hold an annual Eddie cochran event ...so dont lose heart, Eddie is remembered and held within peoples hearts.
@kodi1969
I don't think a seatbelt helps if you meet a lamppost at high speed whilst the car is in a spin
@Jim4979
Thank-you for such a kind deed! We need more people in the world like YOU! Eddie's grave needs be kept up! I been a fan of Eddie since 1956! I will never forget him!!!!! P/S May all sunrises be bright in front of you and the shadows of darkness behind you!
@casamena1
WOW! he has been missed so much , him and Elvis
@msteeln
Thanx for posting Jelly Bean, one of my EC faves that I haven't heard in way too long. Eddie died in a taxi in England on his way to a gig in Scotland in 1960. He is the first true guitar hero, rivaled in the day only by the great Chuck Berry.
@josephbarber8719
Eddie Cochran died on chippenham wilts
About 300 miles away from scotland
@Jim4979
I saw Eddie perform live in 1957. An awesome show!!!!!
@antonyamont4078
Jim Johnston Bravissimo! !.☆☆☆☆☆☆
@jeanmariebasset
Quelle chance
@jerrymorgan6036
god bless you !!