“Summertime Blues” may sound upbeat and ideal for a fun summer anthem, but the lyrics say otherwise. The song speaks of a young man’s frustration with his employment status and its limitations. Only American rock icon Eddie Cochran can make being broke in the summer amusingly playful.
Cochran co-wrote the song with his manager Jerry Capeheart and recorded it as the first track to his 1962 album Wild and Warm, alongside the second track, “Love Again.” The critically acclaimed song was released on July 21, 1958, and since then, many covers have emerged, including Johnny Chester’s in 1962 and Blue Cheer’s in 1968.
The summer anthem climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 the year of its release and No. 18 on the UK Singles Chart. Its strong acoustic flavor made it a timeless song that cemented Cochran’s induction to the 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone also listed it among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It made an influential impact in the rock music scene, so much so that it got listed in The Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Meaning Behind the Song
“Summertime Blues” is a marvelous mix of rhythms played by Eddie Cochran — from the main and bass vocals to the frisky guitar playing. Meanwhile, Sharon Sheeley added the clapping, Connie ‘Guybo’ Smith recorded the electric bass, and Earl Parmer played the drums. The evergreen theme of the song is unlike the usual lyrical compositions of the 50s: heartbreak, courtship, and alcoholism.
The song tells the story of a struggling teenager who struggles to earn money during the summer. He cannot even go out on a date because his boss insists he work late. He has to fake being sick to avoid work, only to be scolded by his parents that he can’t use their car: “Well, you can’t use the car ’cause you didn’t work a lick.”
For You
Cochran ended the song with the line, “There ain’t no cure for the summertime blue,” implying that navigating societal pressure placed upon the young is too heavy of a burden.
Making a quick buck in the midst of summer can be taxing, considering the season is supposed to be a warm vacation trip. So, Cochran and his partner Jerry Capehart had the idea to write lyrics that relate to working-class teens trying to earn a dollar. Capehart explained, “There had been a lot of songs about summer, but none about the hardships of summer.” This makes it a perfect anthem for those taking a busy summer break.
Whether you’re working or taking a chill pill, add Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” to your summer playlist and turn the music on.
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