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.
Sweet Little Sixteen
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep in the heart of Texas, way down to Frisco bay
All over St.Louis, way down to New orleans
All the cats wanna dance with sweet little sixteen
Sweet little sixteen, got the growin' up blues
Tight dresses and lipstick, sportin' high heel shoes
Oh, but tomorrow morning, she'll have to change her trend
Go back to bein' just sixteen and back in class again
The song Sweet Little Sixteen by Eddie Cochran is a tribute to the teenage innocence and rebellious spirit. It paints a picture of young girls who are growing up too fast and are making the most of their youth by going out and dancing to rock and roll music. The lyrics speak of different places where these girls are found, from Philadelphia to Texas, from St. Louis to New Orleans. The boys are all drawn to these young ladies, who are wearing tight dresses, lipstick, and high heels. The song captures the feeling of excitement and fun that teenagers experience when they first discover rock and roll and the joy of dancing to it.
However, the song also touches upon the bittersweet nature of being a teenager. The line "Sweet little sixteen, got the growin' up blues" suggests that even though they are having fun, they are also struggling with the pressures of growing up. The final lines of the song reveal the harsh reality that these young girls will have to face in the morning when they have to go back to being just sixteen and attend school. This contrast between the adult world they are trying to enter and the limitations of their youth is the central theme of the song.
Overall, Sweet Little Sixteen is a nostalgic and playful ode to teenage life, but it also reflects the anxieties and challenges that come with growing up.
Line by Line Meaning
They're really rockin' on bandstands, Philadelphia, P.A.
The music scene in Philadelphia is happening and there are live performances with thriving bands.
Deep in the heart of Texas, way down to Frisco bay
Live music is pervasive in Texas, stretching all the way down to Frisco Bay.
All over St.Louis, way down to New orleans
From St. Louis to New Orleans, live music greets you with enthusiasm.
All the cats wanna dance with sweet little sixteen
Sweet Little Sixteen is so enchanting that everyone wants to dance with her.
Sweet little sixteen, got the growin' up blues
Sweet Little Sixteen is experiencing the growing pains of blossoming into adulthood.
Tight dresses and lipstick, sportin' high heel shoes
Sweet Little Sixteen tries to appear more mature by dressing in tight dresses, wearing lipstick, and high heel shoes.
Oh, but tomorrow morning, she'll have to change her trend
Sweet Little Sixteen will have to revert to being a regular sixteen-year-old girl in the morning.
Go back to bein' just sixteen and back in class again
She will go back to school and forget about the world of performers and live music.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
laroudoune
Sweet Little Sixteen
Chuck Berry
They're really rockin' in Boston
In Pittsburgh, PA
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
We're down in New Orleans
All the cats wanna dance with sweet little 16
Sweet little 16
She's just got to have about a half a million famed autographs
Her wallet filled with pictures
She gets them one by one
She gets so excited
Watch her, look at her run board
"Oh Mommy, Mommy, please may I go?
It's such a sight to see somebody steal the show
Oh Daddy, Daddy, I beg of you
Whisper to Mommy, it's alright with you"
'Cause they'll be rockin' in Boston
In Pittsburgh, PA
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
We're down in New Orleans
All the cats wanna dance with sweet little 16
Yes, they'll be rockin' on Bandstand
In Pittsburgh, PA
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
All the cats will be dancing with sweet little 16
Sweet little 16
She's got the grown-up blues
Tight dresses and lipstick
She's sportin' high heel shoes
Oh, but tomorrow morning, she'll have to change her trend
She'll be sweet 16 and back in class again
But they'll be rockin' in Boston
Pittsburgh, PA
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
Everybody will be dancin' with sweet little 16
Alright man, let's cut the grip
Let's keep playing around
John, give me some of those runs, man
laroudoune
What a voice !!! Just twenty years!!!! Eddie you are missing you!!
moviemagg
After Chuck Berry, Scotty Moore, Frannie Beecher and Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran was the greatest all around Rock n Roll Guitarist during the 1950s Rock era. I don't think there's anybody in show business today who could play as well as Eddie could. This guy was what you'd call TRUE HARD CORE TALENT! What a shame he died so soon.
bmxshowtime
Nobody can sing this like Eddie did. Just great.
Tattyshoes Shigure
Such a great rocking version of this classic from Eddie!
bmxshowtime
We will Never see talent like this again, never. Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, to name a few. What was it about our 50s that produced all of this World Class Talent? and no-one today that can ever fill their shoes. This truly was Rock N Roll at it's Best. How lucky we were to have them, but thank goodness they left us all their great music and all the great memories of them.
Dash Byrne
Even though this is live.. it still remains the best version of the song ever recorded in my opinion
TheDJGrandPa
Undisputely the best live recording of that era!
Albert Anglo
Like wow! What an amazing version of this. And this was live too! So glad we have got this as Eddie did not do it as a studio recording.
Lorraine Dalu
Born in '54 meant growing up with 60's music and I loved it, always will. But I envy those who grew up in the 50's because it was pure R & R talent that was new and exciting, and set the framework for all that followed. Eddie Cochran was a true pioneer of rock and I can listen to his songs forever !
Jack horner
I was also born in '54, and Eddie was a bit before my time, as I was alll about 60's rock and roll and the British invasion. It took decades for me to finallly discover Eddie right here on Youtube, and appreciate the inspiration for so many later artists.