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.
Milk Cow Blues
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
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I could tell that was my milkcow, by the way that she lowed
So if you see my milkcow, please send her home
Well I ain't had no milk and butter
Ooh, since my cow's been gone
Tried everything baby, to get along with you
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
If you don't think I'm leavin'
You just count the days I'm gone
'Cause you' re gonna need me
Need your lovin' daddy one of these days
Yeah, and you gonna be oh-so-sorry you treated me this way
The first verse of Eddie Cochran's Milk Cow Blues is simple but vivid, describing the singer's realization that his cow has gone missing. His affection for the animal is evident in the way he recognizes her by her distinctive lowing. The fact that he hasn't had milk or butter since her departure suggests that she was a critical component of his livelihood. The second verse, which is more traditional blues fare, addresses a romantic relationship that has gone bad. The singer has tried everything to make it work, but now he's had enough. He declares that he's going to stop crying and leave his partner alone. He's convinced that she will regret losing him and ultimately come crawling back.
Taken together, these verses illustrate two classic blues themes - the loss of something valuable and the pain of a troubled relationship. The singer is feeling the weight of both losses simultaneously, and they reinforce one another. With his cow gone, he's unable to make butter or drink milk, and without a stable romantic relationship, he's left without a sense of companionship or support. Moreover, the cow represents something innocent and pure that he's lost, just as the singer has lost faith in his partner's ability to be true to him. Both losses feel bitter and intractable, like the deepest sorrows of the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I woke up this morning, looked out the door
I woke up feeling bad and when I looked out the door, I knew something was wrong.
I could tell that was my milkcow, by the way that she lowed
From the sound of the cow’s voice, I could tell it was mine.
So if you see my milkcow, please send her home
Kindly return my cow if you see her.
Well I ain't had no milk and butter
Since my cow is gone, I haven't had any milk and butter.
Ooh, since my cow's been gone
I seems to be always recollecting and longing for the milkcow that’s gone.
Tried everything baby, to get along with you
I have done everything possible to please you.
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
I am now going to express what I plan to do.
Gonna stop my cryin', leave you alone
I plan to stop being so emotional and leave you alone.
If you don't think I'm leavin', you just count the days I'm gone
In case you don't believe me, take note of the days that I am gone.
'Cause you' re gonna need me
You will eventually realize how much you need me.
Need your lovin' daddy one of these days
You will find yourself needing my affection again very soon.
Yeah, and you gonna be oh-so-sorry you treated me this way
I know you will eventually be regretful for treating me badly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KOKOMO ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind