Summertime Blues
Valens Richie Lyrics
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And I'm gonna raise a holler
About workin' all summer
Just tryin' to earn a dollar
Well, I went to my boss
Who governs me
He said, "No, dice, bud
Sometime I wonder
What I'm gonna do
There ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
Well, my mom and papa told me
Now you better earn some money
If one of you is gonna go
Ridin' next Sunday
Well, I didn't go to work
I told my boss I was sick
He said, "You can't use the car
'Cause you didn't work a lick"
Sometime I wonder
What I'm gonna do
There ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
Gonna save two weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
Gonna take my problem
To the United Nations
Well, I went to my congressman
He sent me back a note
It said, "Id like to help you, hon
But you're too young to vote"
Sometime I wonder
What I'm gonna do
There ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
Now there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
Now there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues
"Summertime Blues" is a rockabilly song performed by Valens Richie, which tells the story of a teenager who has to work hard all summer but is unable to make enough money to enjoy his time off. He vents his frustration at his boss, who insists he continues working late, and his parents, who force him to work so he can pay for his own leisure activities. He initially considers taking his complaints to the United Nations, but his youth and lack of voting rights interfere with that plan. He ultimately resigns himself to the fact that there is no cure for the summertime blues.
The song was written by Jerry Capehart and Eddie Cochran, and initially recorded by Cochran in 1958, but it was later popularized by Valens Richie in 1959. It is considered one of Richie's most popular songs and one of the best rockabilly songs of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm gonna raise a fuss
I'm going to create a commotion
And I'm gonna raise a holler
And I'm going to shout loudly
About workin' all summer
About having to work for the entire summer
Just tryin' to earn a dollar
Just to make some money
Well, I went to my boss
I approached my employer
Who governs me
Who is in charge of me
He said, "No, dice, bud
He refused my request, saying
You gotta work late"
That I have to work overtime
Sometime I wonder
Sometimes I ponder
What I'm gonna do
What actions I need to take
There ain't no cure
There is no solution
For the summertime blues
To get rid of the unhappy feelings during summertime
Well, my mom and papa told me
My parents advised me
Now you better earn some money
That I should work and earn some money
If one of you is gonna go
If one of us wants to go
Ridin' next Sunday
For a ride on the upcoming Sunday
Well, I didn't go to work
I skipped work
I told my boss I was sick
I called in sick to my employer
He said, "You can't use the car
He denied my request to use the car saying,
'Cause you didn't work a lick"
That I didn't work at all and therefore not entitled to use the car
Gonna save two weeks
I am planning to save for two weeks
Gonna have a fine vacation
To have a great vacation
Gonna take my problem
To bring my problem
To the United Nations
To the international organisation for help
Well, I went to my congressman
I approached my elected representative
He sent me back a note
I received a message from him
It said, "I'd like to help you, hon
The message said they would like to assist but added,
But you're too young to vote"
That I am too young to vote, therefore not eligible for assistance
Now there ain't no cure
There is no solution
For the summertime blues
To get rid of the unhappy feelings during summertime
Now there ain't no cure
There is no solution
For the summertime blues
To get rid of the unhappy feelings during summertime
Contributed by Aaliyah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.