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 and 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
I have the blues to fight
And to make things worse I fell in love last night
Said to stop my hoppin' and settle down
Oh why can't there be two of poor ol' 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 and Roll Blues," he sings about his struggles with balancing his love for dancing and playing music with his responsibilities to work and make a living. He acknowledges that he enjoys dancing all night, but that it makes it difficult to work during the day. He also confesses that he has fallen in love with a girl who wants him to settle down and stop dancing. He feels torn between his love for music and his desire for a normal life.
The lyrics in "Rock and Roll Blues" describe the dilemma that many artists and musicians face - the struggle between pursuing one's passion and being responsible for the life they live. The song highlights the tension between living a carefree lifestyle and fulfilling one's obligations to work and settle down with a family. Cochran's use of blues in the song adds a layer of melancholy to the lyrics, emphasizing the weight of the burden that Cochran feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, dancin' all night, so I have my play
I spend my entire night dancing and having fun.
But how can I work when I sleep all day
However, as a result of my constant partying, I always sleep throughout the day and get nothing else done.
I got those rock 'n' roll blues, those rock 'n' roll blues
I suffer from a general feeling of sadness and depression that stems from my involvement in the rock 'n' roll music scene.
I dig way down deep in my ol' blue jeans
When I need money to play records, I reach into the bottom of my old jeans to find some loose change.
To put my last dime in that record machine
I usually end up spending my last bit of money on playing records on the jukebox.
I have the blues to fight
Not only am I feeling down because of my lifestyle, but I also have other problems to deal with that are adding to my blues.
And to make things worse I fell in love last night
On top of everything else, I recently fell in love which has only added to my troubles.
The little girl I found
The woman I fell in love with.
Said to stop my hoppin' and settle down
She told me to stop partying and settle down.
Oh why can't there be two of poor ol' me
I wish I could split myself in two so that I could both continue to enjoy dancing and have a serious, stable relationship.
One on the dancefloor and one hangin' 'round the door
One of me could stay on the dancefloor and the other could be at home, spending time with my loved one.
I got those rock 'n' roll blues, those rock 'n' roll blues
At the end of the day, I am still feeling sad and depressed because of my love for rock 'n' roll music.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GORDON LANGHORN
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 🕺👍