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.
Something Else
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here she comes
Here comes that girl again
Wanted to date her since I don't know when
But she don't notice me when I pass
She goes with older guys from out of my class
But that can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself
She's sure fine lookin' man
Hey look-a there
Across the street
There's a car made just for me
To own that car would be a luxury
But right now I can't afford the gas
A brand new convertible is out of my class
But that can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself
That car's fine lookin' man
It's somethin' else
Hey look-a here
Just wait and see
Workin' hard and savin' my dough
I'll buy that car that I've be wanting so
Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' around
We'll look real sharp with the white top down
I'll keep right on and dreamin' and a-thinkin' to myself
When it all comes true, man
Wow, that's somethin' else!
Look-a here
What's all this?
Never thought I'd do this before
But here I am a-knockin' on her door
My car's out front and it's all mine
Just a '41 Ford, not a '59
I got that girl and I'm a-thinkin' to myself
She's sure fine lookin' man
Wow, she's somethin' else!
The lyrics of Eddie Cochran's song "Something Else" tells a story of a young man who has been pining for a girl that he has been fancying for a long time. He admires her beauty and her charm, but he can't seem to get her attention because she goes out with people that are out of his class. He then sees a car that he desires to buy, but that is also way out of his budget. Nonetheless, he still dreams of owning that car and taking the girl of his dreams out for a ride. The song closes with him finally achieving both of his goals, getting the girl he likes and buying the car that he always wanted.
The lyrics of the song are simple and straightforward, but it talks about a common teenage desire of owning something that is considered luxury, and also, the struggle to gain the attention of someone who is out of one's league. The youthful energy and upbeat rhythm of the song perfectly encapsulate the excitement, hopefulness, and longing that is common in adolescence.
Line by Line Meaning
A-look-a-there
Observe there with curiosity
Here she comes
Here comes that same girl
Here comes that girl again
That lady is recurring
Wanted to date her since I don't know when
I've always wanted to court her, but it's been ages
But she don't notice me when I pass
She doesn't acknowledge my presence
She goes with older guys from out of my class
She associates with men in a higher social or financial class
But that can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself
Nevertheless, I'm still thinking
She's sure fine lookin' man
She's very attractive
She's somethin' else
She's extraordinary and remarkable
Hey look-a there
Look over there with interest
Across the street
On the other side of the road
There's a car made just for me
There's a car specifically tailored to my preferences
To own that car would be a luxury
It would be a grandeur to acquire that car
But right now I can't afford the gas
But currently, I can't pay for the fuel
A brand new convertible is out of my class
A recent cabriolet is beyond my financial means
That can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself
Nevertheless, I'm still thinking
That car's fine lookin' man
That car is stunningly attractive
It's somethin' else
It's exceptional and remarkable
Hey look-a here
Pay attention here with interest
Just wait and see
Be patient and watch
Workin' hard and savin' my dough
I'm toiling arduously and preserving my money
I'll buy that car that I've been wanting so
I'll purchase that car I've desired for so long
Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' around
Bring me that lady, and we'll drive around together
We'll look real sharp with the white top down
We'll appear stylish with a retracted white roof
I'll keep right on and dreamin' and a-thinkin' to myself
I'll persist in envisioning and brooding
When it all comes true, man
When reality aligns with my imagination
Wow, that's somethin' else!
That's astonishing and surprising!
Look-a here
Look here with interest
What's all this?
What's going on here?
Never thought I'd do this before
I never anticipated doing this earlier
But here I am a-knockin' on her door
Yet, here I am, knocking on her door
My car's out front and it's all mine
My ride's outside, and it's completely mine
Just a '41 Ford, not a '59
It's just an old '41 Ford, not a modern '59
I got that girl, and I'm a-thinkin' to myself
I obtained that lady, and I'm brooding
She's sure fine lookin' man
She's undoubtedly attractive
Wow, she's somethin' else!
My, oh my, she's extraordinary!
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BOB COCHRAN, SHARI K SHEELEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fc dender fc dender
A-look-a-there
Here she comes
Here comes that girl again
Wanted to date her since I don't know when
But she don't notice me when I pass
She goes with older guys from out of my class
But that can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself
She's sure fine lookin' man
She's somethin' else
Hey look-a there
Across the street
There's a car made just for me
To own that car would be a luxury
But right now I can't afford the gas
A brand new convertible is out of my class
But that can't stop me from a-thinkin' to myself
That car's fine lookin' man
It's somethin' else
Hey look-a here
Just wait and see
Workin' hard and savin' my dough
I'll buy that car that I've be wanting so
Get me that girl and we'll go ridin' around
We'll look real sharp with the white top down
I'll keep right on and dreamin' and a-thinkin' to myself
When it all comes true, man
Wow, that's somethin' else!
Look-a here
What's all this?
Never thought I'd do this before
But here I am a-knockin' on her door
My car's out front and it's all mine
Just a '41 Ford, not a '59
I got that girl and I'm a-thinkin' to myself
She's sure fine lookin' man
Wow, she's somethin' else!
Lettore Entusiasta
Two minutes of frantic bass, concise words, essential structure, power chords. This is the root of punk rock
Leahflower
@colinshreds69 i love punk, but hank williams and everly brothers will put most punks to shame
Leahflower
now I know where Joe Strummer got his look from lol
Johnny Carson
@Lance Anderson Sid's version is a beauty too..
Rafał Chrząszcz
*rockabilly
RugbyGuide
@colinshreds69 Check out Strung Out - excellent guitar work. Ska punk bands tend to have been all school band geeks so know a thing or two about music.
The Triumph of the Thrill
This is the root of heavy Rock. Hard Rock, Punk, Grunge, Metal, etc., all begins here. That heavy, chugging, driving sound was unlike anything heard before. And one of the best Rock tunes too. Criminally underrated among his peers, Cochran has proven to be one of the most enduring from the Big Bang of Rock.
steamstream777
@Roland Deschain a year before this song
Roland Deschain
@Lesley Russell The Quakes were anyway better band. Had to go to England to get respect.
Roland Deschain
@James No.