Summertime Blues
Stray Cats Lyrics


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Well I´m a gonna raise a fuss
I´m a gonna raise a holler
about working all summer just to try to earn a dollar every
time i call my baby trying to get a date
boss says no dice son you gotta work late
sometimes I wonder what I´m a gonna do
but there ain´t no cure for the summertime blues
well my mom and popa told me
son you gotta make some money
if you want to use the car to go a-riding next sunday
well I didn´t go to work told the boss I was sick
now 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

gonna take two weeks gonna have a fine vacation
gonna take my problem to the united nations
well I called my congress man and he said quote
"I would like to help you son but your to young to vote"




sometimes I wonder what I´m a gonna do
but there ain´t no cure for the summertime blues

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Stray Cats' song "Summertime Blues" depict the frustrations and challenges that come with trying to enjoy one's summer while being forced to work to earn a living. The lyrics start with the singer stating that he will "raise a fuss" and "raise a holler" about working all summer just to try to make a dollar. He expresses his disappointment when he tries to call his girlfriend to get a date, but his boss tells him he has to work late. The line "sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do, but there ain't no cure for the summertime blues" conveys a sense of hopelessness and resignation towards his situation.


The next verse talks about the singer's parents telling him that he needs to make money if he wants to use the car to go out on Sundays. He then decides to stay home from work and tells his boss that he is sick, but as a consequence, he cannot use the car either. The singer also tries to seek help from his congressmen and the United Nations to no avail, as he is deemed too young to vote. The song's overall message is about the struggles of working-class people during the summer months and the difficulties they face when they try to balance their desire for leisure time with the necessity of earning a living.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm a gonna raise a fuss
I'm going to loudly complain


I'm a gonna raise a holler
I'm going to make a big scene


about working all summer just to try to earn a dollar
I'm angry that I have to work hard all summer just to make a small amount of money


every time i call my baby trying to get a date
I get frustrated when I try to set up a date with my girlfriend


boss says no dice son you gotta work late
My boss won't let me off early to spend time with my girlfriend


sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
I often think about how I can get out of my difficult situation


but there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there's no solution to my problems


well my mom and popa told me
My parents advised me


son you gotta make some money
It's important for me to earn money


if you want to use the car to go a-riding next sunday
To use the car for leisure activities, I need to have earned money


well I didn't go to work told the boss I was sick
I lied to my boss and said I was too sick to come to work


now you can't use the car cause you didn't work a lick
Since I didn't work, I can't use the car for leisure activities


gonna take two weeks gonna have a fine vacation
I plan on taking a two-week vacation and having a great time


gonna take my problem to the united nations
I'm willing to do anything to solve my problems


well I called my congress man and he said quote
I reached out to my congressman for help


"I would like to help you son but your too young to vote"
Unfortunately, my congressman can't directly help me because I'm too young to vote


sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
I often think about how I can get out of my difficult situation


but there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there's no solution to my problems




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Lot 13 Official FranklinCummings

There ain't no cure for the quarantine blues!!!

billy spry

Love the stray cats you guys ROCK!!!!

Bran Tod

The one and only Stray Cats!!!

Francesca Carboni

Main song of my childhood. I remember listening to this when I was a kid in the car with my parents and sis on the way to the seaside. As a 6 years old native Italian speaker I used to called this song "lesrockenao", 16 years later I found out its actual name. Priceless memories 🖤

Yamy Pérez

Musica sanadora, da al alma alegria

HarryWebb46

A Great Homage!

MrAlsfan5

Lol, no doubt. This is a great way to start off an early morning. Whew, what a great song.

Pom Pom7x7

1st stuff I’ve listened to on the morning of my 50th anniversary 🎂😜🎉

DJ Crunch

I saw them in concert in 1984 and my girlfriend and I went dressed to impress .. I did the greaser thing and she wore a pink poodle skirt .. it was a open dance floor and one big 1950’s sock hop !! Great memories

UnitedSoundVideo

Right on!

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