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.
Slow Down
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I like to crawl baby, you like to fly
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
I gotta admit that you got a lotta class
I said you better watch out which Cadillac you pass
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
'Cause one of these nights, when you speed around town
You gonna pass me baby and I'll turn my damper down
(Let's rock it!)
You got a full house motor and it runs real good
Yeah, fine upholstery and a packed-out hood
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
You're the motorvatest gal that I've ever seen
Baby you better slow down or I'm gonna flee the scene
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
Slow down baby you' re way ahead of me
In Eddie Cochran's song Slow Down, the singer is telling his fast-moving woman to slow down as he is a slow-moving guy. He likes to take things slow while she likes to fly, and she needs to slow down before she gets them both in trouble. He admits that she has a lot of class, but warns her to be careful about which Cadillac she passes as she speeds around town. The singer is concerned that one of these nights, she will speed around town and pass him, and he'll turn his damper down, leaving her behind.
He points out that she has a full house motor that runs well, fine upholstery, and a packed-out hood. However, she needs to slow down as she's the motorvatest gal he's ever seen, and if she doesn't slow down, she'll be way ahead of him, and he'll flee the scene. The singer implies that if she continues to move so fast, she'll lose him, and he's urging her to slow down and enjoy the ride. The song is a classic example of rockabilly, a genre of music that combines rock and roll with hillbilly influences.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you're a fast movin' woman, I'm a slow movin' guy
You're always in a hurry while I take my sweet time.
Yeah I like to crawl baby, you like to fly
I like to move slow and steady, but you're always in a rush.
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
You need to start taking it easy and not move so fast.
I gotta admit that you got a lotta class
I have to give you credit for being stylish and elegant.
I said you better watch out which Cadillac you pass
Be careful which high-end car you cut off.
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
I'm warning you again to take it easy and not move too quickly.
'Cause one of these nights, when you speed around town
If you keep this up, one of these nights, you will drive too recklessly.
You gonna pass me baby and I'll turn my damper down
You'll eventually exceed my limit, and I'll be left in the dust.
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
Listen to what I'm saying and start going slower.
(Let's rock it!)
Let's get this song going!
You got a full house motor and it runs real good
Your car engine is powerful and reliable.
Yeah, fine upholstery and a packed-out hood
The car's interior is luxurious and the hood is filled with high-quality parts.
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
Once again, I'm telling you to start slowing down.
You're the motorvatest gal that I've ever seen
You're the most enthusiastic driver I've ever encountered.
Baby you better slow down or I'm gonna flee the scene
If you don't start driving more carefully, I'll have to leave because I can't keep up.
You better slow down baby, you better slow down
For the final time, you need to start driving slower.
Slow down baby you' re way ahead of me
You're way ahead of me in terms of speed, so it's time to start slowing down.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind