Wake Up Little Susie
Joe Cocker Lyrics


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Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
We've both been sound asleep, wake up, little Susie, and weep
The movie's over, it's four o'clock, and we're in trouble deep
Wake up little Susie
Wake up little Susie, well

What are we gonna tell your mama
What are we gonna tell your pa
What are we gonna tell our friends when they say 'ooh-la-la'
Wake up little Susie
Wake up little Susie, well

I told your mama that you'd be in by ten
Well Susie baby looks like we goofed again
Wake up little Susie
Wake up little Susie, we got to go home

Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
The movie wasn't so hot, it didn't have much of a plot
We fell asleep, our goose is cooked, our reputation is shot
Wake up little Susie
Wake up little Susie, well

What are we gonna tell your mama
What are we gonna tell your pa
What are we gonna tell our friends when they say 'ooh-la-la'
Wake up little Susie




Wake up little Susie
Wake up little Susie

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joe Cocker's "Wake Up Little Susie" are a story of two young lovers who have fallen asleep during a movie and have overslept. They are now in trouble and must figure out what to say to Susie's parents and their friends. The urgency in the repeated lines "Wake up, little Susie, wake up" convey the panic and anxiety they are feeling over their predicament.


The song is a classic example of a 1950s teenage love song. It captures the innocence but also the fear and awkwardness of young love. The fear of getting caught by parents, the fear of judgment from friends, and the fear of ruining their reputation are all concerns that resonate with many.


The song's lyrics were written by Boudleaux Bryant and his wife Felice, who also wrote many other hit songs like "Bye Bye Love" for the Everly Brothers. The song was initially offered to the Everly Brothers, but they turned it down. Joe Cocker's version was one of the many covers of the song, which included renditions by Simon and Garfunkel, Don Everly, and Nancy Sinatra.


Line by Line Meaning

Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Joe Cocker is urging Susie to wake up and become aware of their current situation.


We've both been sound asleep, wake up, little Susie, and weep
Joe Cocker and Susie have been asleep, and upon waking up, Susie should cry realizing the trouble they are in.


The movie's over, it's four o'clock, and we're in trouble deep
The movie they were watching is over, and it is already late, which means they are in a whole lot of trouble.


What are we gonna tell your mama
Joe Cocker is asking what they should say to Susie's mom about the situation.


What are we gonna tell your pa
Joe Cocker is asking what they should say to Susie's dad about the situation.


What are we gonna tell our friends when they say 'ooh-la-la'
Joe Cocker is wondering what they will say to their friends who will inevitably tease them about the situation.


I told your mama that you'd be in by ten
Joe Cocker is informing Susie that he told her mom that Susie would be home by 10 pm.


Well Susie baby looks like we goofed again
Joe Cocker believes that they messed up once again.


The movie wasn't so hot, it didn't have much of a plot
Joe Cocker is admitting that the movie they watched was not very good and did not have a clear storyline.


We fell asleep, our goose is cooked, our reputation is shot
Joe Cocker and Susie fell asleep during the movie, and now their reputation is in jeopardy.


Wake up little Susie
Joe Cocker is once again urging Susie to wake up and face the situation.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

stalkingwolf1954

GOD, what a voice joe had back then

John Robertson

Joe could sing ANYTHING

Soul Shouter

Damn! What a voice!

hohum488

Leave to Joe Cocker to give actual feeling to even a cutesy song. I love it!

marili ant

love it!!!

Massimiliano Guidotti

Another rare diamond, wow!

Nick Soulman

It´s Swinging Blues! BRILLIANT!

JC 187

"Wake Up" goes from a gentle suggestion in the original to a desperate, urgent plea under Joe's tutelage!

stalkingwolf1954

@oeyv1, whrere do you find these classics? thanks again

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