Summertime Blues
Who Lyrics


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Well, I'm gonna raise a fuss
I'm gonna raise a holler
'Bout workin' all summer
Just to try to earn a dollar
Well, I went to the boss man
Tried to get a break
But the boss said 'No dice, son,
You gotta work late'

Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Well, my Mom and Poppa told me
Son, you gotta earn some money
If you want to use the care
To go riding next Sunday
Well, I wouldn'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
'Cause 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 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
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Overall Meaning

The song Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran talks about the struggles of working through the summer and not being able to enjoy it. The lyrics describe the singer's frustration with having to work all summer long just to earn a dollar. He tries to talk to his boss to take a break but to no avail. The chorus of the song is a recurring theme that there is no cure for the summertime blues, meaning there is no way to escape from the irritants and difficulties that come with summertime.


The singer's parents also play a part in the song, telling him that he needs to earn money if he wants to use the car to go riding on Sundays. The singer lies to his boss about being sick so he can get out of work but as a result, he is unable to use the car. The final part of the song has the singer contemplating taking his problems to the United Nations and even going to his congressman, who tells him that he cannot help because he is too young to vote.


Overall, the song is a depiction of the challenges of summer life, whether it is being stuck at work or unable to do the things you love. It highlights the disappointment and frustration that can come with the season, and the realization that sometimes there is no cure for it.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I'm gonna raise a fuss
I'm going to express my anger and frustration


I'm gonna raise a holler
I'm going to make a lot of noise and draw attention to the issue


'Bout workin' all summer
About having to work during the summer months


Just to try to earn a dollar
To earn money, although it may not be enough


Well, I went to the boss man
I talked to my boss


Tried to get a break
Asked for some time off or easier work


But the boss said 'No dice, son,
But the boss refused to help me out, and addressed me quite informally


You gotta work late'
You have to work longer hours, likely without extra pay


Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do
I don't know how to solve this problem


'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
There's no solution or relief for the difficulties faced during summer


Well, my Mom and Poppa told me
My parents advised me


Son, you gotta earn some money
You need to make some money


If you want to use the care
If you want to use the car


To go riding next Sunday
To go for a drive next Sunday


Well, I wouldn't go to work
I refused to go to work


I told the boss I was sick
I informed my boss I wasn't feeling well


He said 'You can't use the car
He said that I couldn't use the car


'Cause you didn't work a lick'
Because I didn't work at all


Gonna take two weeks
I'm going to take two weeks off


Gonna have a fine vacation
I'll have a great vacation


Gonna take my problem
I'm going to take my problem with me


To the United Nations
To the United Nations (a hyperbolic statement suggesting I plan to seek a very high-level solution)


Well' I went to my congressman
I went to my local representative in government


He said 'quote'
He said this, and added quotation marks to indicate he was quoting someone else, or to express skepticism or irony


'I'd like to help you son,
He expressed a willingness to help me


But you're too young to vote'
But said he couldn't help me because I was not yet of voting age


Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do
I don't know how to solve this problem


'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
There's no solution or relief for the difficulties faced during summer




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE COCHRAN, JERRY NEAL CAPEHART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@julianvickery8341

"Summertime Blues", a song co-written and first recorded by American rockabilly artist Eddie Cochran in 1958, by British rock group the Who, released in 1970 from the album "Live at Leeds." https://youtu.be/yUBy4ZvpaJc

You can listen to the 1958 recording by Eddie Cochran (1938 - 1960) here: https://youtu.be/1C38Zevwyx4

Lyrics:
I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
About a-workin' all summer just to try 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"
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a-gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Well, my mom and pop told me, "son, you gotta make some money"
If you want to use the car to go ridin' next Sunday
Well, I didn't go to work, told the boss I was sick
"Well, 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

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 "whoa!"
"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



@gllerner3

Well, I'm gonna raise a fuss
I'm gonna raise a holler
'Bout workin' all summer
Just to try to earn a dollar
Well, I went to the bossman
Tried to get a break
But the boss said 'No dice, son,
You gotta work late'
Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Well, my Mom and Poppa told me
Son, you gotta earn some money
If you want to use the car
To go riding 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 problem
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
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues



All comments from YouTube:

@robertcurrie8510

The album that changed my life as a bassist.

@joeroganjosh9333

Robert Currie ......the album that changed my ears as fully functional sound gatherers. Would I trade the, all be it mild, tinnitus back for the PURE JOY of blasting my head off ? Too late to worry about it now !

@davidrichmond3182

I always turn the balance to the left channel. Entwistle's slap is awesome!!

@Joetime90

And many other bassists. Even Matt Freeman of Rancid. The Ox was just as good on pick despite being called Thunder fingers.

@pussycat6469

Idont understand how he got that sound its like nothing anyone has ever achieved

@ktlarsen9244

Good ol thunder fingers

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@Codshead

Wow does this album age NO WAY ! It’s timeless.

@aleisterwallace7598

Eddie Cochran (RIP) "The unsung hero of Rock'n'Roll" Thanks for the great tunes!!!

@markwright8118

John's bass line.......AWESOME!!

@IStandAlone1

Will forever set the bar for heaviness as long as people play in a guitar/bass/drum format.

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