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.
You Oughta See Grandma Rock
Eddie Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't had a kiss since I-I don't know when
She grabbed a stranger passin' by
Said let's go daddy before I die
You oughta see grandma rock
You oughta see grandma rock
She got everybody jumpin' in our block
Well, you oughta see grandma rock
You oughta see grandma rock
She got everybody jumpin' in our block
You oughta see grandma rock
Well she grabbed grandpa from his rockin' chair
Said let's go daddy, don't be a square
He hit the floor, let out a moan
A-bopped three shakes, he was gone-gone
(Yeah, rock it but don't ruin it!)
Old grandpa he was wearin' a frown
He can't keep up and she won't slow down
He can't find a bottle strong enough
To satisfy her when she struts her stuff
In Eddie Cochran's song "You Oughta See Grandma Rock," the singer describes his grandmother as an old lady who is thin and hasn't had a kiss in a long time. The song begins when Grandma grabs a stranger passing by and tells him to come with her before she dies. The chorus emphasizes how exciting it is to see Grandma rock and how everyone in their block is jumping to the music.
Later, Grandma grabs Grandpa from his rocking chair, and he reluctantly agrees to join her. However, he can't keep up with her energetic dance moves and wishes she would slow down. The song ends with the singer commenting that Grandpa can't find a bottle strong enough to keep up with Grandma's moves.
"You Oughta See Grandma Rock" is a fun and uplifting song that celebrates the energy and spirit of older people. The song also conveys the idea that everyone can enjoy and participate in music, no matter their age or physical ability.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, out sits granny, old and thin
The grandmother is sitting outside, looking quite old and frail.
Ain't had a kiss since I-I don't know when
She hasn't received any affection in a long time.
She grabbed a stranger passin' by
The grandmother took hold of a stranger who was walking by.
Said let's go daddy before I die
She urged the stranger to come with her, as if it were her last chance to have some fun before dying.
You oughta see grandma rock
The artist is encouraging others to witness the grandmother's lively dance moves.
She got everybody jumpin' in our block
Her dancing is contagious and has inspired others to dance along with her.
Well, you oughta see grandma rock
Again, the singer is urging others to witness the grandmother's dance moves.
Well she grabbed grandpa from his rockin' chair
The grandmother pulled her husband out of his chair to join her in dancing.
Said let's go daddy, don't be a square
She urged her husband to come with her and not be boring.
He hit the floor, let out a moan
Her husband fell to the ground and groaned, perhaps due to his inability to keep up with her energetic dance moves.
A-bopped three shakes, he was gone-gone
After attempting to dance, he quickly became exhausted and gave up.
(Yeah, rock it but don't ruin it!)
This phrase is suggestive that while it's encouraged to dance and have fun, it should not be done to the point of exhaustion or injury.
Old grandpa he was wearin' a frown
The grandfather was not happy about being pulled into dancing.
He can't keep up and she won't slow down
The grandfather struggles to keep up with the grandmother's fast-paced dance moves, but she is not willing to slow down for him.
He can't find a bottle strong enough
The grandfather is unable to find a drink strong enough to help him keep up with the grandmother's dancing, perhaps implying that he has resorted to alcohol to try to keep up.
To satisfy her when she struts her stuff
The grandfather cannot find any way to satisfy the grandmother's desire to dance and enjoy herself.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HARLAN HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jon walts
what a killer
TITICAT91
πππππ
Ronald de Goeij
great jiver