Cochran had a twin brother who died at the age of two. He began playing guitar at age six. His father was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder, and as a result Cochran spent much of his youth living with relatives in Louisiana, Meridian, Mississippi, and with his grandmother in Gadsden, Alabama.
Cochran first began performing on the local music scene in Gadsden, which displeased his grandmother, who wanted him to join the military. She convinced him to enlist in the Air Force, where he was stationed in San Antonio. He traveled each weekend to Abilene to play on Slim Willet's radio show. This brought him to the attention of the managers of the Big D Jamboree, who had him perform on this program as well. He was then transferred to Selma, Alabama, where he founded the country group The Flying C Ranch Boys. This group performed in local bars and restaurants, as well as on radio station WBAM. He was dismissed from the Air Force in 1955, and following this he became a member of Jimmy Swan's band in Hattiesburg. In the mid-1950s he appeared on Cliffie Stone's Hometown Jamboree in Los Angeles. He began playing rockabilly shortly after hearing Elvis Presley.
Cochran hired manager Pat O'Donnell, who came up with Cochran's "Jack the Cat" name and image. Through O'Donnell, Cochran was offered a recording contract with Sims Records. His first singles for the label appeared in 1956. After further appearances on the Big D Jamboree he was asked to play on the Spade Cooley show in California. Despite O'Donnell's disapproval, Cochran moved to the West Coast and performed on the show. He then signed with Decca Records, and his single "Ruby Pearl" sold well and nearly hit the Billboard charts, but his manager let the Decca contract lapse, and the single fizzled before charting.
After a short time with Viv Records, Cochran took up work at the Douglas Aircraft Company and quit music for a time. He restarted his career during the rockabilly revival in Europe, releasing an album on Rollin' Rock Records in 1973 and touring Norway in 1981. He took up the nickname "Waukeen" in the 1970s as well. Further appearances in Europe followed, particularly in England, as did regular releases in the 1980s. He died in 1998 in his apartment in Burbank, California at age 64.
Buy A Car
Jackie Lee Cochran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep)
Oh, the wheels are rockin′ us down the street
We're all shook up, this is surely heat
The gear shift′s swingin' back and forth
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep)
Well my baby tells me that she loves me so
But love or not, this wreck has gotta go
While all these fumes are killin' us
I′ve never seen a girl make such a fuss
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep)
Well, my baby said "I've had enough"
I guess some girls aren′t really so tough
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep)
Oh, the wheels are rockin' us down the street
We′re all shook up, this is surely heat
The gear shift's swingin' back and forth
I′m just hangin′ on for all I'm worth
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep)
Well my baby tells me that she loves me so
But love or not, this wreck has gotta go
While all these fumes are killin′ us
I've never seen a girl make such a fuss
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep)
Well, my baby said "I′ve had enough"
I guess some girls aren't really so tough
(Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car, beep beep
Buy a car...)
The lyrics to Jackie Lee Cochran's song Buy A Car depict the story of a couple who are driving in an old and worn-out car that is causing them harm due to the fumes it is releasing. They are on the streets, and the wheels are rattling while the gear shifts from back and forth with the singer hanging on for dear life. Although the girl professes her love to the singer, she eventually gives up on the car and asks the singer to buy a new car.
The song captures the essence of the 1950s rock and roll era, which was dominated by a carefree attitude towards life. The song's upbeat tune and catchy chorus make it an excellent representation of the genre. The lyrics also showcase the importance of having a good car in the 50s, which was seen as a symbol of status and independence.
The line "Buy a car, beep beep" in the chorus emphasizes the importance of owning a car, but it also serves as a symbol of the freedom that comes with it. The car is not just a means of transport but a way of life. The song also highlights the gender roles typical of the time, where the girl is portrayed as being weak and in need of protection while the boy represents strength and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Wow, what a wreck
The singer is appalled by the condition of their current vehicle.
Buy a car, beep beep
The singer is suggesting that buying a car will solve their current transportation issues.
Oh, the wheels are rockin′ us down the street
The car is in such poor mechanical condition that the ride is bumpy and uncomfortable.
We're all shook up, this is surely heat
The situation is stressful and difficult to deal with.
The gear shift′s swingin' back and forth
The car is experiencing mechanical problems that make it difficult to shift gears.
I'm just hangin′ on for all I′m worth
The singer is doing their best to hold on and survive the current situation.
Well my baby tells me that she loves me so
The singer's significant other loves them very much.
But love or not, this wreck has gotta go
Despite their love for each other, the car is in such poor condition that it needs to be replaced.
While all these fumes are killin' us
The car is releasing dangerous fumes that could be harmful to those inside.
I've never seen a girl make such a fuss
The artist is surprised by their significant other's reaction to the car's condition.
Well, my baby said "I've had enough"
The significant other has reached their limit and wants things to change.
I guess some girls aren't really so tough
The artist is making a generalization about how tough girls are or are not.
Buy a car, beep beep
The singer is once again suggesting that buying a car is the solution to their transportation problems.
Buy a car, beep beep
Repeating the suggestion to buy a car to emphasize its importance.
Buy a car, beep beep
Emphasizing the need to buy a car one more time to drive the point home.
Buy a car...
Trailing off as the artist continues to contemplate the importance of buying a car.
Writer(s): Stephen Fredette
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.