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.
Three Stars
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up towards the north
There are three new stars
brightly shining forth
They're shining oh so bright
from heaven above
Gee we're gonna miss you
everybody sends their love
Ritchie, you were just starting
to realize your dream.
Everyone calls me a kid,
you were only 17.
But now almighty God has called you,
oh so far away,
maybe it's to save some boy or girl
who might have gone astray.
But with your star shining
through the dark and lonely night,
to light the path and show the way,
the way that's right.
Gee we're gonna miss you
everybody sends their love.
Buddy, I can still see you,
with that shy grin on your face.
Seems like your hair was always a little messed up,
kinda out of place.
Now not many people actually knew you were,
or know how you felt,
but just one song from you
could make the coldest heart melt.
You're singing for God now,
in his chorus, in the sky.
Buddy Holly, I'll always remember you
with tears in my eyes.
Gee we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love.
I see a stout man.
The Big Bopper's is your name.
God called you to heaven, maybe for new fortune and fame. Keep wearing that big stetson hat,
and ramble up to the mike,
and don't forget those wonderful words.....
'You know what I like.'
Look up in the sky
Up towards the north
There are three new stars
brightly shining forth
They're shining oh so bright
from heaven above
Gee we're gonna miss you
everybody sends their love
The song "Three Stars" by Eddie Cochran is a tribute to three young musicians, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. The song recognizes their contributions to the music industry, their untimely deaths, and the legacy they left behind. The first verse refers to the new stars appearing in the sky; a metaphor for the three musicians who have now joined the celestial sky. The second verse, however, personalizes the tribute to each musician. Cochran talks about Ritchie's young age and budding career, Buddy's charm on and off-stage and his ability to create music that left a lasting impact, and The Big Bopper's unique style and catchphrases. The third and final verse returns to the imagery of the stars, emphasizing how the absence of the three musicians is felt by those they left behind.
Moreover, the song is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, especially for artists who dedicate their lives to their craft. The loss of these young stars at such a pivotal moment in music's history sent shockwaves throughout the world, and their legacy continues to influence musicians today. The song also addresses the feeling of loss and the way their music has touched so many, leaving its mark on the hearts of people worldwide. It's a reminder that while stars may be gone, their light shines on for eternity.
Line by Line Meaning
Look up in the sky
Directing attention to the sky
Up towards the north
Indicating the location of the stars
There are three new stars
Referring to the stars of Ritchie, Buddy, and The Big Bopper
brightly shining forth
Describing the brightness of the stars
They're shining oh so bright
Reinforcing the brightness of the stars
from heaven above
Noting the divine origin of the stars
Gee we're gonna miss you
Expressing sadness at the loss of the three stars
everybody sends their love
Stating that the stars are loved by all
Ritchie, you were just starting
Referring to Ritchie Valens' young age
to realize your dream.
Referring to Ritchie's burgeoning music career
Everyone calls me a kid,
Explaining how Ritchie was perceived by others
you were only 17.
Providing age context for Ritchie's life and career
But now almighty God has called you,
Referring to the divine intervention of Ritchie's death
oh so far away,
Noting the distance from those who loved Ritchie
maybe it's to save some boy or girl
Speculating on the possible significance of Ritchie's death
who might have gone astray.
Furthering the idea of Ritchie's death as saving another
But with your star shining
Acknowledging the continued influence of Ritchie after death
through the dark and lonely night,
Describing the effect of Ritchie's continued influence
to light the path and show the way,
Describing the purpose of Ritchie's continued influence
the way that's right.
Emphasizing the morality of Ritchie's influence
Buddy, I can still see you,
Turning attention to Buddy Holly
with that shy grin on your face.
Describing Buddy's facial expression
Seems like your hair was always a little messed up,
Characterizing Buddy with a physical trait
kinda out of place.
Furthering the characterization of Buddy
Now not many people actually knew you were,
Noting that Buddy was not widely known
or know how you felt,
Emphasizing the depth of Buddy's emotions
but just one song from you
Highlighting Buddy's musical talent
could make the coldest heart melt.
Emphasizing the emotional power of Buddy's music
You're singing for God now,
Referring again to the divine intervention of death
in his chorus, in the sky.
Describing how Buddy's music lives on
Buddy Holly, I'll always remember you
Reiterating the significance of Buddy's life and music
with tears in my eyes.
Expressing emotion at the loss of Buddy
I see a stout man.
Turning attention to The Big Bopper
The Big Bopper's is your name.
Introducing The Big Bopper
God called you to heaven,
Noting the divine intervention of The Big Bopper's death
maybe for new fortune and fame.
Speculating on the reasons for The Big Bopper's death
Keep wearing that big stetson hat,
Describing a physical trait of The Big Bopper
and ramble up to the mike,
Describing how The Big Bopper performed
and don't forget those wonderful words.....
Emphasizing The Big Bopper's talent for lyrics
'You know what I like.'
Quoting The Big Bopper's famous lyrics
Look up in the sky
Returning focus to the three stars
Up towards the north
Describing the location of the stars once again
There are three new stars
Repeating the initial statement
brightly shining forth
Reiterating the brightness of the stars
They're shining oh so bright
Again emphasizing the brightness of the stars
from heaven above
Reiterating the divine origin of the stars
Gee we're gonna miss you
Repeating the lament at the loss of the stars
everybody sends their love
Reiterating the love for the stars
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Random Soldier
Look up in the sky, up towards the north
There are three new stars, brightly shining forth
They're shining oh-so bright from heaven above
Gee, we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love
Ritchie, you were just starting to realise your dreams
Everyone calls me a kid, but you were only seventeen
Now Almighty God has called you, from oh-so far away
Maybe it's to save some boy or girl
Who might have gone astray
And with your star shining through the dark and lonely night
To light the path and show the way, the way that's right
Gee, we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love
Buddy, I can still see you, with that shy grin on your face
Seems like your hair was always a little messed up
And kinda outa place
Now, not many people actually knew you or
Understood how you felt
But just a song from, just a song from you
Could make the coldest heart melt
Well you're singing for God now, in his chorus in the sky
Buddy Holly, I'll always remember you with tears in my eyes
Gee, we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love
I see a stout man, the Big Bopper's your name
God called you to heaven, maybe for new fortune and fame
Keep wearing that big Stetson hat and ramble up to the mike
And don't forget those wonderful words, you know what I like
Look up in the sky, up towards the north
There are three new stars, brightly shining forth
They're shining oh so bright from Heaven above
Gee, we're gonna miss you, everybody sends their love
Dillon Hunt
I can only imagine the pain Eddie went through singing this song. Buddy and Ritchie were both close friends of his, and when they died, it really struck him hard. Even in this song, you can hear him breaking into tears, and it's sad to think not long after he recorded this song, he as well came to a tragic end. I guess there are four stars, now.
Luis Chacon
Big fellas...in a hard world 50´s.
SweaBea107
SO TRUE.
Devon Bott
The plane crash happened February 3rd, Eddie recorded this song Feb. 5th, with profits intended for the families of the three. After the recording was finished however, Eddie told the producer he'd never record another song again if this were ever released.
Rege Suchma
Dillon Hunt they did a behind the music on buddy richie and the big bopper and the narrator said that eddie cochran never got over buddy’s death
staggmovie
I can also imagine it has well, but you also have to applaud his bravery in singing this i am also hard song for him to record. You can tell it in his voice, somehow he never met the Big Bopper. And I bet when he learned of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens' death in the plane crash, it had to hit so hard. And now that are 4 as he died early too, and even younger then Budd Holly.
Andy
2:13 You can just hear the barely-controlled emotion in Eddie's voice...heartbreaking. Especially as he followed so soon after.
DarkNemesis4300
One of the most touching tribute songs ever written. Recorded just a couple of days after the crash that killed his friends. Sad to think that Eddie Cochran only had just over a year to live himself. Very sad.
Sven Förster
The other masterpiece of all tribute songs, alongside Mike Berry's "Tribute To Buddy Holly" (Geoff Goddard Joe Meek).
Then there's "Teenage Heaven" by Johnny Cymbal.
These are arguably the top three tribute songs of all time.. Ever..
Shep
Truly this song is such an emotional tribute! The words and lyrics speak for themselves! Tears come to my eyes just as it must’ve been for Eddie when he wrote this song! How he was able to get through recording, i don’t know! I get a lump in my throat when i think of the fact that Eddie says “that everyone calls me a kid…” and the tragic fact is that he had no idea that he would join them in the kingdom in the sky becoming the fourth star to shine! Rest in Peace to all these men! We truly do miss all four of you and everybody sends their love!