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.
One Kiss
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just want to kiss your lips, that's what I want to do
Eleven-thirty, the lights are low
Just one more kiss dear, before I go
Give me one kiss, one kiss, that's what I want from you
I'll hold you closer at your front door
We may have time left for three or four
Ah, come on, just one little kiss
The lyrics to Eddie Cochran's song One Kiss are a representation of a moment between two people. The singer is requesting just one kiss from his partner as they stand at her front door. The lights are down low, creating a romantic ambiance. The singer wants nothing more than to kiss his partner's lips, and he hopes to have the opportunity to do so three or four times before they part ways for the evening. This song is a simple expression of love and affection, and it is relatable to anyone who has experienced the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to someone they love.
The lyrics themselves are straightforward, but they are delivered with a sense of urgency and sincerity. The singer's desire for just one kiss is palpable, and the repetition of the phrase "one kiss" helps to reinforce the importance of this moment. The power of this song lies in its simplicity, and it captures the anticipation and excitement of a romantic encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me one kiss, one kiss, that's what I want from you
I desire to receive just one kiss from you and that is all.
I just want to kiss your lips, that's what I want to do
All I want is the ability to kiss your lips.
Eleven-thirty, the lights are low
It is 11:30 PM and the lighting is dim.
Just one more kiss dear, before I go
Before I depart, I require one more kiss, my dear.
I'll hold you closer at your front door
As we reach your front door, I will hold you closer.
We may have time left for three or four
It is possible that we have enough time for three or four kisses.
Ah, come on, just one little kiss
Please give me one small kiss.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE COCHRAN, JOHNNY RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind