Summertime Blues
Gordon Robert Lyrics
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I'm gonna raise a holler
About a workin' all summer just to
Try to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby
And ask to get a date
My boss says, "No dice son
You gotta work late"
But there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
Well my mom and pop told me
"Son you gotta make some money"
If you want to use the car
To go ridin' next Sunday
Well I didn't go to work
Told the boss I was sick
"Well you can't use the car 'cause
You didn't work a lick"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
I'm gonna take the weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
I'm gonna take my problem
To the United Nations
Well I called my congressman
And he said "Whoa!"
"I'd like to help you son but
You're too young to vote"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
The lyrics of Gordon Robert's song Summertime Blues describe a common problem many young people, especially those from working-class backgrounds, face during the summer months – working long hours to earn a dollar, with no respite in sight. The song's protagonist is frustrated by his lack of freedom and the inability to enjoy the summer like his peers without a job. The song begins with the promise of rebellion as he declares his intention to "raise a fuss" and "raise a holler" about working all summer.
The singer pleads with his boss to let him take a break, but the boss is less than sympathetic, telling him he has to work late instead. The second verse reveals that the singer's parents encouraged him to get a job to earn money for a car, but he finds himself unable to use it since he missed one day of work due to illness. The third verse sees the singer's desire for freedom escalate as he declares his intent to take two weeks off for vacation and declares his intention to take his problem "to the United Nations." His congressman advises him he's "too young to vote," which feels emblematic of the lack of control he experiences in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm gonna raise a fuss
I am going to create a commotion
I'm gonna raise a holler
I am going to shout out my grievances
'Bout workin' all summer
About working the entire summer season
Just to try to earn a dollar
To only earn a meager amount of money
Well, I went to the boss man
I visited my employer
Tried to get a break
Attempted to get some time off
But the boss said 'No dice, son,
But my boss refused to grant my request
You gotta work late'
I had to work overtime
Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do
I often find myself questioning my next move
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
There's no fix to my frustration with summer work-life
Well, my Mom and Poppa told me
My parents informed me
Son, you gotta earn some money
To get by, I need to work and earn an income
If you want to use the care
If I wanted to use the car
To go riding next Sunday
To take a joyride on the upcoming Sunday
Well, I wouldn't go to work
I decided not to work
I told the boss I was sick
I lied to my employer stating that I was ill
He said 'You can't use the car
My boss refused to let me use the car
'Cause you didn't work a lick'
Since I skipped work, he didn't let me take the car
Gonna take two weeks
Going to take my time off
Gonna have a fine vacation
To have an enjoyable holiday season
Gonna take my problem
I am going to consider or address my issue
To the United Nations
I am exaggerating taking my problem to an unrealistic institution
Well' I went to my congressman
I went to my elected official
He said 'quote'
He replied by quoting my statement
'I'd like to help you son,
He expressed his desire to aid me
But you're too young to vote'
But he couldn't do so because I was too young to vote
Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do
I revisit my worries
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
I realize there is no resolution to my summer issues
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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