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.
Long Tall Sally
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Claimed he gettin' married but but he's havin' lotta fun
Oh, baby
Yes, now baby
Woo, baby
We're havin' me some fun tonight, yes
Well, long tall Sally, she built for speed
She got everything that uncle John need
Oh baby
Yes baby
Woo, baby
Havin' me some fun tonight, yes
Well, I saw uncle John, bald-headed Sally
Saw aunt Mary comin' and he jumped back in the alley
Oh baby
Yes, baby
Ooh, baby
We're havin' me some fun tonight
Well, long tall Sally, she built for speed
She got everything that uncle John need
Oh, baby
Yes baby
Woo, baby
We're havin' me some fun tonight, yes
Well, I saw uncle John, bald-headed Sally
Saw aunt Mary comin' and he jumped back in the alley
Oh baby
Yes, baby
Ooh, baby
We're havin' me some fun tonight
Oh, let's go, gonna have some fun tonight
Ooh, gonna have fun tonight
Gonna have me some fun tonight
Ooh, everything's all right
Have some fun, well, havin' me some fun tonight
The lyrics of Eddie Cochran's song "Long Tall Sally" tell the story of a man named Uncle John who claims to be getting married but is actually just having some fun with a woman named Sally who is "built for speed" and has everything he needs. The song's narrator, who is also having fun that night, witnesses a humorous scene where Uncle John sees his aunt Mary coming and hides in an alley with the bald-headed Sally.
Despite the humorous, lighthearted tone of the lyrics, the song also carries a hint of rebellion and excitement. The idea of having fun and causing a bit of mischief is emphasized throughout the song with phrases like "havin' me some fun tonight" and "everything's all right." The song celebrates youthful energy and a carefree attitude, making it a perfect dance song for those looking to let loose and have fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna tell Aunt Mary 'bout Uncle John
I'm going to tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John's secret; he claims to be getting married but is actually having a lot of fun.
Claimed he gettin' married but but he's havin' lotta fun
Uncle John lied by claiming to be getting married when he is just having a lot of fun.
Yes, now baby
Affirmation of the baby's agreement with the statement.
Woo, baby
Expression of excitement and enthusiasm.
Well, long tall Sally, she built for speed
Long tall Sally is a fast woman.
She got everything that uncle John need
Sally has all the qualities that Uncle John desires.
Well, I saw uncle John, bald-headed Sally
I witnessed Uncle John with bald-headed Sally.
Saw aunt Mary comin' and he jumped back in the alley
When Aunt Mary was spotted, Uncle John quickly retreated to the alley.
We're havin' me some fun tonight, yes
Affirmation of the baby's excitement about having fun tonight.
Oh, let's go, gonna have some fun tonight
Let's go and have fun tonight.
Ooh, gonna have fun tonight
Excitement about having fun tonight.
Gonna have me some fun tonight
I'm going to have fun tonight.
Ooh, everything's all right
Everything is good and we are excited about having fun tonight.
Have some fun, well, havin' me some fun tonight
We are excited about having fun tonight and plan to do so.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Entoris Johnson, Richard Penniman, Robert Blackwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RockabillyDelilah
One of the best rock'n rollers. Love u, Eddie Cochrane. Rest in peace, you still rock <3 We will never forget you!
Carlos Manuel Reus
Different but good version by Eddie Cochran, a true guitar idol and a extraordinary Rocker !
mikea731
I love it when his voice gets really gritty. Eddie is amazing (understatement)
gilbert federico
Une excellente version , pour moi sûrement la plus sauvage et la meilleure , interprétée par un guitariste hors pair , Eddie tu es dans nos coeurs pour toujours !
Mo Bensaadi
This is what I call Rock and Roll! Brilliant version :)
Queen City Motion Pictures
57 years ago today, we lost one of the greatest musician of all time. RIP Eddie.
william gabriel
*ELVIS PRESLEY
Queen City Motion Pictures
@william gabriel last I checked, Elvis died on August 16, 1977, not April 17, 1960.
Simona N
I'm 21, and i absolutely LOVE this kind of music, i've always wished i lived in this time when music was actually MUSIC!
federico Josiane
De loin la meilleure version ....
Une guitare magique...une voix venue d"ailleur !