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.
Willa Mae
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
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Oh Willa Mae, a-come a-shakin' by my way
You gonna drive me wild
You know I love you child, Willa Mae
Oh Willa Mae, I love you more everyday, ooh
Oh Willa Mae, yeah I love you more everyday
They say that love is blind, but they did not know your kind
Oh Willa Mae, you give me chills when we meet
Willa Mae, a-come a-shakin' by my way
You got the love I need, honey yes indeed
Oh Willa Mae, yeah
The song "Willa Mae" by Eddie Cochran is a rock and roll classic that expresses his love and infatuation for a woman. The lyrics reveal that this woman, Willa Mae, has a powerful physical presence that drives him wild. Cochran sings that every time she shakes by his way, she gives him chills and he loves her more every day. The song is a testament to the power of love and how it can make people feel alive.
The lyrics suggest that Willa Mae is the only woman who can fulfill his physical and emotional desires. Cochran compares her to a bulldog walking barefoot on a cold-cold street, which paints a vivid picture of her strength and resilience. The song implies that Willa Mae is confident in herself and unapologetic about her sexuality, which is a quality that Cochran finds both attractive and empowering. Overall, the song is a love letter to a powerful and alluring woman who has captured Cochran's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Willa Mae, a-come a-shakin' by my way
Willa Mae, I am excited that you are coming towards me and dancing.
Oh Willa Mae, a-come a-shakin' by my way
Again, Willa Mae, I am excited that you are coming towards me and dancing.
You gonna drive me wild
You, Willa Mae, are going to make me go crazy with your dancing and your love.
You know I love you child, Willa Mae
I love you, Willa Mae, and I think of you fondly.
Oh Willa Mae, I love you more everyday, ooh
Willa Mae, my love for you grows stronger each day.
Oh Willa Mae, yeah I love you more everyday
Again, Willa Mae, my love for you grows stronger each day.
They say that love is blind, but they did not know your kind
People often say love is irrational, but they haven't seen how great of a person you are, Willa Mae.
Oh Willa Mae, you give me chills when we meet
Meeting you, Willa Mae, is thrilling and gives me goosebumps.
Like a bulldog walkin' barefoot on a cold-cold street
The thrill I get from meeting you, Willa Mae, is similar to that of a bulldog walking barefoot on a freezing street.
Willa Mae, a-come a-shakin' by my way
Once again, Willa Mae, I am excited to see you dancing and approaching me.
You got the love I need, honey yes indeed
You, Willa Mae, have the type of love that I desire, honey and it's true!
Oh Willa Mae, yeah
Overall, Willa Mae, I really do love you and enjoy seeing you dance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALGERION CASEY, LEE HAZLEWOOD, Al Casey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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