The band evolved out of "Chad Allan and the Expressions" (often shortened to The Expressions), which was a pop rock group with a British Invasion feel fronted by Chad Allan and featuring guitarist Randy Bachman. Both of them had great potential as singer-songwriters. After their cover of "Shakin' All Over" sold well as a single, their record label released the band's album with "Guess Who?" written on the cover, hoping to mislead unsuspecting buyers into thinking it was a British group. The name stuck, however, and from then on they were 'The Guess Who'. The Who musician Pete Townshend later jokingly said that he allowed the Canadian group to take both their style and name, calling himself a fan.
Singer and keyboardist Burton Cummings joined upon Allan's departure in 1966, and the band's classic line-up was born. The guys mixed some jazz-inspired sounds such as flute and electric piano playing into their sound, and they scored hits in Canada with tracks such as "These Eyes", "Undun", and "Laughing". Yet it was when they turned to psychedelic-influenced rock and rock with 'American Woman' (the third album with the Bachman/Cummings line-up) that they broke through in the U.S. The anti-war title cut (a song ironically embraced by some Americans as a patriotic anthem despite the cynical lyrics, though the band didn't complain as the record royalties came in) has received airplay on classic rock radio for years and years now. The Guess Who's success after that album came out proved to be hit and miss, however, and they would have members go in and out.
After the release of 'Share the Land', their second album of 1970, Bachman left to form Bachman-Turner Overdrive, leaving Cummings as the band's leader and main songwriter. Though Bachman and his band-mates had achieved huge commercial success, the singer-songwriter felt like he wanted to go off into a whole other muscial direction. Afterwards, the Guess Who experimented in various styles through the 70s, including blues, down-home bluegrass, jazz fusion, and Cummings's trademark piano-based rock ballads. The novelty pop single "Clap for the Wolfman", a 1974 track made for the popular DJ Wolfman Jack that the band members were fans of, ended up being the Guess Who's last chart appearance.
Various combinations of former members of the band have reunited at various times since their breakup in 1975. The Guess Who's classic songs remain radio staples, even into the new millennium. Various greatest hits and multi-artist collections featuring their music have also been released.
See Guess Who for the Romanian rapper Laurentiu Mocanu.
Summertime Blues
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been working all summer just to try and earn a dollar
Well, I went to the boss, said I got a date
The boss said "No Dice, son, you gotta work late"
Sometimes I wonder, what am I gonna do
There ain't no cure for the summertime blues
If you want to use the car to go out next Sunday"
Well, I didn't go to work, I told the boss I was sick
He said "You can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick"
Sometimes I wonder, what am I gonna do
There ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Gonna take two weeks, gonna have a fine vacation
Gonna take my problems to the United Nations
Well, I went to my congressman, he said, quote
"I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"
Sometimes I wonder, what am I gonna do
There ain't no cure for the summertime blues
The Guess Who's song Summertime Blues is a lament about the frustrating experiences of a young man who spends his summer working hard, trying to earn some money, but he still can't seem to catch a break. The opening lyrics of the song, "Well, I'm a gonna raise a fuss, I'm a gonna raise a holler / I've been working all summer just to try and earn a dollar," express his frustration and the difficulty he has faced during the summer months. He goes to the boss to ask for time off for a date, but his boss denies him, telling him that he has to work late.
The young man's parents also contribute to his frustration: they tell him that he has to earn money if he wants to use the car to go out next Sunday. However, when he calls in sick, hoping to use the car, his boss doesn't let him. In the end, the young man decides to take two weeks off for a vacation, hoping to find some relief. He even considers taking his problems to the United Nations, but the congressman tells him that he is too young to vote. Despite his efforts, he realizes that there is no cure for the summertime blues.
Overall, the song portrays the difficulties faced by the working class, and the irony that earning money often requires working long hours that prevent people from enjoying the fruits of their labor. The song highlights the ongoing struggles faced by many people, even in the midst of summer, which is generally seen as a carefree time of fun and relaxation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm a gonna raise a fuss, I'm a gonna raise a holler
I'm going to complain and express my distress loudly
I've been working all summer just to try and earn a dollar
I've been working tirelessly for the entire summer in pursuit of earning money
Well, I went to the boss, said I got a date
I went to my boss and informed him of my plans for that evening
The boss said "No Dice, son, you gotta work late"
The boss refused my request and told me that I had to work longer hours
Sometimes I wonder, what am I gonna do
At times, I question how I'm going to overcome this problem
There ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, I can't find a solution to my summertime sadness and difficulties
Well, my mom and poppa told me, "Son you gotta earn some money
My parents told me that it's essential for me to make money
If you want to use the car to go out next Sunday"
So I can use the car on the upcoming Sunday to go out
Well, I didn't go to work, I told the boss I was sick
I lied to my boss and didn't go to work as I claimed to be ill
He said "You can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick"
He refused to let me use the car since I didn't work at all
Gonna take two weeks, gonna have a fine vacation
I'll be on vacation for two weeks and have some quality time
Gonna take my problems to the United Nations
I'll take steps to address my concerns and seek help from the international authority
Well, I went to my congressman, he said, quote
I met my congressman and he told me
"I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"
"I want to assist you, but since you're underage, you can't vote, so you don't have much power"
Sometimes I wonder, what am I gonna do
At times, I ask myself what I can do to resolve my issues
There ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Unfortunately, there's no easy way to alleviate the challenges and frustration I'm facing during summertime
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind