Not having lived twenty-two full years, Eddie Cochran managed to become a legend of rock and roll. The famous “rebel with a guitar” is considered the founder of the rockabilly genre. His hits have long survived the creator, who died in 1960, and are still included in the repertoire of famous musicians. In this article, we will recall the history of the creation of the song “Summertime Blues”, which turned into an anthem for Eddie’s young contemporaries.
Cochran wrote it with friend, songwriter and producer Jerry Capehart. The composition began with a guitar break and a basic idea, which Jerry described as follows:
Many songs have been written about summer, but none of them dealt with summer hardships.
Rolling stone
The authors quickly drafted a text about a young man who has disagreements with his parents, boss, and even politicians.
On May 28, 1958, Eddie recorded “Summertime Blues” at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, performing all guitar and vocal parts. Connie Smith was on bass and Earl Palmer was on drums. The famous handclaps belong to Cochran’s girlfriend Sharon Shealy.
In July, the song was released as a single with “Love Again” on the back of the record. It climbed to number eight on the main Billboard chart, becoming Eddie’s first real hit.
Subsequently, the composition was performed by many famous musicians. One of the first cover of “Summertime Blues” was presented by The Beach Boys. It was included on the Surfin’ Safari album (1962).
A 1967 track by the American rock band Blue Cheer rose to number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5uDozoSSM
In 1970, The Who released a live version of the song as a single from the Live at Leeds album. Their track reached the top 40 of the UK and US charts. Later, the musicians recorded studio versions of the track. It was the only hit by the cult rock band not written by Pete Townsend.
Alan Jackson’s version from the album “Who I Am” (1994) was very popular in the nineties. Check out the music video for “Summertime Blues” by Alan Jackson directed by Michael Salomon.
Interesting Facts
- “Summertime Blues” was one of the favorite songs of the young George Harrison.
- The song has been inducted into the Grammy and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame and has been featured in several of the greatest songs of all time, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Lyrics
Summertime Blues
Eddie CochranTranslation of the song
Summertime Blues
Eddie CochranI’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, and ask to get a date
My boss says, “No dice son, you gotta work late”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
‘Cause you can’t work all summer for one dollar
Every time I ask a girl out on a date
The boss says: “No way, son, you’re at work late”
Sometimes I wonder how to be
But nothing can heal the summer 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 gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
If you want to rent a car on Sunday”
And I didn’t go to work, I told my boss that I was sick
“So, you can’t take a car, because you didn’t work at all”
Sometimes I wonder how to be
But nothing can heal the summer 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 gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues
I’ll talk about my problem at the UN
I called the congressman and he said, “Whoa!
I would help you son, but you’re too young to vote”
Sometimes I wonder how to be
But nothing can heal the summer blues
