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.
My Way
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's go out tonight
Tell your mama not to worry
Every thing's gonna be all right
Don't let me hear you talking
Just be there when I call
'Cause what I do, I do my way, or it won't be done at all
Oh, little girl
Better hear what I say
Yeah, I'm an easygoing guy, but I always gotta have my way
I was born a tiger
I always had my way
Nobody's gonna change me
This or any other day
Don't let me hear you argue
When I say "frog," you jump
'Cause a woman ain't been born yet, they can play me for a chump
Oh, little girl
Better hear what I say
Yeah, I'm an easygoing guy, but I always gotta have my way
Well, don't ask me for the reasons
Don't ever wonder why?
When I walk away and leave you
I don't want to see you cry
Now, I've done a lot of planning
Got a lot of things to do
So don't give me no trouble
Or you and I are through
Oh, little girl
Better hear what I say
Yeah, I'm a easygoing guy, but I always gotta have my way
Oh, I'm a easygoing guy, but I always gotta have my way
In Eddie Cochran's song "My Way," the singer appears to be a controlling partner who demands that his lover always do things his way. He tells her to keep her opinions to herself and simply be there when he calls. He even goes as far as to say that he was born a tiger and won't be changed, indicating that this is not just a passing phase. The lyrics also suggest that the singer has a tendency to walk away from relationships and doesn't want to see his partner cry when he does so. He warns her not to give him any trouble, or it's over between them.
The song can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, it could be seen as a warning to women not to become involved with controlling and manipulative partners. On the other hand, it could be read as a satire, poking fun at male egos and the idea that women are supposed to be submissive and obedient. The lyrics could also be seen as a commentary on the changing dynamics of gender roles in the 1950s and '60s, when social norms were in flux.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, listen, pretty baby
I am addressing you, my attractive companion
Let's go out tonight
Let us embark on an outing this evening
Tell your mama not to worry
Assure your mother that there is no cause for concern
Every thing's gonna be all right
There is no reason for alarm, everything will be fine
Don't let me hear you talking
I do not wish to hear any objection or argument from you
Just be there when I call
It is imperative that you respond promptly when summoned
'Cause what I do, I do my way, or it won't be done at all
I have a particular method of doing things, and if it cannot be executed in that manner, it shall not be done
Oh, little girl
My endearment for you, my lady companion
Better hear what I say
It is strongly advised that you listen attentively to my words
Yeah, I'm an easygoing guy, but I always gotta have my way
Although I am generally laid-back, it is a requirement that things are done according to my wishes
I was born a tiger
I possess an innate assertiveness and determination
I always had my way
Throughout my life, I have been accustomed to getting things done according to my desires
Nobody's gonna change me
I am impenetrable against any attempts to alter my ways
This or any other day
At present or in the future, I shall remain the same
Don't let me hear you argue
I do not wish to engage in any arguments with you
When I say 'frog,' you jump
My instructions are to be followed precisely, with no hesitation or questioning
'Cause a woman ain't been born yet, they can play me for a chump
No woman is capable of outsmarting me or taking advantage of me
Well, don't ask me for the reasons
I am not obliged to justify my actions or decisions to you
Don't ever wonder why?
There is no need for you to ever question my motives or intentions
When I walk away and leave you
If I choose to depart from the situation, without you, you must accept it without protest
I don't want to see you cry
I have no desire to witness any emotional distress from you
Now, I've done a lot of planning
I have put significant foresight and preparation into the situation
Got a lot of things to do
I have a number of tasks and responsibilities that must be addressed
So don't give me no trouble
I expect no resistance or difficulty from you
Or you and I are through
If you do not comply with my requests, our association shall come to an end
Oh, I'm a easygoing guy, but I always gotta have my way
Although I am affable, it is crucial that things are accomplished to my liking
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Capeheart, Eddie Cochran
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colin Young
Wow!this guy was ABSOLUTELY WAY ahead of his time, what a voice. UNBELIEVABLE
sasse Brasse
true
Paul Owens
For me nobody produced what kid cochran did ... and only had a short period. His SOUND was unique and his guitar 🎸 was GENIUS. he blew ppl away with that rocking orange Gretsch. Versatile slick and perfect rhythms n beats. Could play drums and piano accomplished also. On tour in 1960 in Britain the boys on stage were in awe as were the audiences
Pablo Jose
I didn't realize how much of an influence he had on British rock and roll.
Michael Mapes
The who also covered this song as well!
sway the god
Massive influence basically responsible for the British Invasion witch changed music forever
karl Tempest
What a cool dude Eddie was..God Bless.
Gary Stevens
Great stuff can't beat Eddie
Arthur Oneau
The golden era of true Rock n Roll.
sodapop
2020, eddie is still going strong