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.
Rock'n'Roll Blues
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But how can I work when I sleep all day
I got those rock 'n' roll blues
Those rock 'n' roll blues
I dig way down deep in my ol' blue jeans
To put my last dime in that record machine
I got those rock 'n' roll blues
Those rock 'n' roll blues
And to make things worse I
Fell in love last night
The little girl I found
Said to stop my hoppin' and settle down
Oh why can't there be two of poor o1' me
One on the dancefloor and one
Hangin' 'round the door
I got those rock 'n' roll blues
Those rock 'n' roll blues
In Eddie Cochran's song "Rock'n'Roll Blues," the lyrics capture the essence of a restless rock 'n' roll lifestyle juxtaposed with the responsibilities of everyday life. The singer describes spending his nights dancing and enjoying the thrill of the music, but this wild and carefree lifestyle prevents him from being productive during the day. He feels trapped in a cycle where his love for rock 'n' roll leaves him sleep-deprived and unable to focus on work.
The singer also shares his struggle with financial constraints. He shares how he digs deep into his worn-out blue jeans to find his last dime, which he then spends on a record machine. This suggests a deep passion for music and a willingness to sacrifice the little money he has for the joy of listening to rock 'n' roll.
Adding to his woes, the singer reveals that he has fallen in love the previous night. However, this love interest wants him to stop his wild partying and settle down. The contrast between the desire for freedom and the longing for love creates internal conflict within him. He laments the inability to have the best of both worlds - the joys of dancing and the comfort of love.
Overall, "Rock'n'Roll Blues" reflects the struggles faced by those immersed in the rock 'n' roll culture. It explores themes of sacrifice, conflicting desires, and the challenges of balancing personal passions with societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, dancin' all night, so I have my play
I spend my nights dancing and having fun, so that's how I enjoy myself
But how can I work when I sleep all day
I can't work because I sleep during the day after dancing all night
I got those rock 'n' roll blues
I feel down and sad because of my love for rock 'n' roll music
Those rock 'n' roll blues
Continuing the feeling of melancholy due to rock 'n' roll
I dig way down deep in my ol' blue jeans
I search inside my empty pockets
To put my last dime in that record machine
To spend my last coin to play music on the jukebox
I got those rock 'n' roll blues
Still feeling the sadness caused by rock 'n' roll
Those rock 'n' roll blues
Continuing to express the ongoing blues due to rock 'n' roll
I have the blues to fight
I have to overcome my sadness
And to make things worse I
Furthermore, to add to my troubles
Fell in love last night
I unexpectedly fell in love last night
The little girl I found
The girl I met
Said to stop my hoppin' and settle down
She told me to stop dancing and start a stable life
Oh why can't there be two of poor o1' me
I wish there were two versions of myself
One on the dancefloor and one
One of me would be dancing
Hangin' 'round the door
While the other would be waiting outside
I got those rock 'n' roll blues
Still feeling those blues because of rock 'n' roll
Those rock 'n' roll blues
Continuing to express the ongoing sadness caused by rock 'n' roll
Lyrics © ACORN PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Regina Maria
Eddie Cochran, incrível!
Brasil 🇧🇷
Vintage brew
Eddie's husky vocal is so right for this song. Loves it! Thanks
David Francois
Eddie la légende, on ne t'oubliera jamais. From France.
Stylianos Orphanoudakes
Jesus... another brilliant song that didn't receive the recognition that it deserves. I hope we can do something for that 50 years later :)
sparkescadman
Eddie did so many types of songs, and all very well. The interviews of him show he was a down to earth guy. In the words of Shelby Singleton , that this excellence could be on a major label could "never happen in today's world". Thank God it did in the 50's!
Rockin'D Rockabilly
HE'S THE BEST. PERIOD.
Blackmist187
My roommate is always playing this song!
I found myself always humming it.
I grew fond of this song.
He can never know
Buddy Holly
Blackmist187 why can he never know?
HarryWebb46
Total legend!
Barry Hunt
7 thumbs down, who are these clowns. EC one of the greatest RRs of all time 🕺👍