Peter Kraus and Conny Froboess were very popular teenage idols back in the 1950s.
Summertime Blues
Peter Kraus Lyrics
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I'm gonna raise a holler
About workin' all summer
Just-a trying to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby
Try to get a date
My boss says "No dice, son
You gotta work late"
What I'm-a gonna do
But there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
Well my mama and papa told me
"Son, you gotta make some money
If you wanna use the car
To go ridin' next Sunday"
Well, I didn't go to work
Told the boss I was sick
"You can't use the car
'Cuz 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 two weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
I'm gonna take my problem
To the United Nations
Well, I called my congressman
And he said, quote:
"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 Peter Kraus's song Summertime Blues speak to the frustrations of the summer season, where the singer is struggling to earn a dollar and have some fun in the sun. The singer sings about being unable to get a date because of work commitments, and how his attempts to take a day off are met with disapproval from his boss. Despite the constant struggles he faces during the summer, there is no escaping the "summertime blues."
The lyrics reflect the overwhelming feeling of being stuck and unable to escape the drudgery of everyday life. The song evokes a sense of nostalgia for 1950s America, where hard work was emphasized, but play and leisure were difficult to come by. The mention of wanting to take his problem to the United Nations is an interesting reference because it highlights the sense of desperation felt by the singer who feels he has nowhere else to turn. In the end, the song is a reminder that sometimes life's difficulties can't be overcome, and we simply have to endure them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna raise a fuss
I'm going to create a loud commotion
I'm gonna raise a holler
I'm going to raise a shout of protest
About workin' all summer
I'm going to complain about working throughout the summer season
Just-a trying to earn a dollar
I'm only trying to earn a living
Every time I call my baby
Whenever I try to make plans with my girlfriend
Try to get a date
Attempt to get a romantic appointment
My boss says "No dice, son
My boss informs me that it's not possible
You gotta work late"
I have to work late
Sometimes I wonder
At times, I question
What I'm-a gonna do
What should I do next?
But there ain't no cure
There is no solution to this problem
For the summertime blues
For the melancholic state of mind during the summertime
Well my mama and papa told me
My parents advised me
"Son, you gotta make some money
You have to earn some cash, son"
If you wanna use the car
If you want to drive the car
To go ridin' next Sunday"
To go for a ride on the coming Sunday
Well, I didn't go to work
I didn't go to work
Told the boss I was sick
Informed the boss that I was sick
"You can't use the car
"You cannot use the car
'Cuz you didn't work a lick"
Because you didn't work at all
I'm gonna take two weeks
I'm going to take a vacation for two weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
I'm going to have a great time
I'm gonna take my problem
I'm going to take my issue
To the United Nations
To the international organization for global cooperation
Well, I called my congressman
I contacted my member of parliament
And he said, quote:
And he said this exactly:
"I'd like to help you, son
"I want to assist you, young man
But you're too young to vote"
But you are not yet eligible to vote
Sometimes I wonder what I'm-a gonna do
At times, I'm not sure what to do
But there ain't no cure
But there is no solution
For the summertime blues
For the feeling of melancholy during the summer
Writer(s): Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.