Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

“Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran is the Perfect Summer Anthem

by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

“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.” 

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. 

Latest Stories

Dolly Parton looks down emotionally while speaking into a rhinestone-covered microphone during a candid moment on stage.

Dolly Parton Was So Broke When She First Moved to Nashville She Ate Leftover Room Service to Survive

Some people chase dreams. Dolly Parton chased survival. Long before the wigs, the theme park, and the billion-dollar legacy, Dolly was just a teenage girl in cheap shoes with a ...

Kelly Clarkson closes her eyes while singing into a microphone during her raw performance of Cody Johnson’s “When It Comes To You.”

Kelly Clarkson’s Cody Johnson Cover Reminded Folks What Country’s Supposed to Feel Like

Kelly Clarkson’s voice could melt asphalt in the middle of a Texas summer, and when she turned her sights on Cody Johnson‘s “When It Comes To You,” it wasn’t just ...

Connie Francis smiles with hands clasped in front of a pink backdrop and orchids, remembered for her timeless hit “Pretty Little Baby.”

Connie Francis, the Original Pop Icon Behind “Pretty Little Baby,” Dies at 87

She ruled the airwaves before most of us were born, and somehow, against all odds, Connie Francis was going viral on TikTok at 87. The pop powerhouse behind hits like ...

Luke Bryan performs with high energy on stage in a plaid shirt and cap, dividing fans over whether he's saving or ruining country music.

Why Some Country Fans Can’t Stand Luke Bryan and Others Say He Saved the Genre

Country fans don’t just listen, they debate. And if there’s one name that’s kept the whiskey flowing and keyboards clacking over the last decade, it’s Luke Bryan. Depending on who ...

Luke Bryan looks emotional during a heartfelt interview as he reflects on the personal tragedies of losing his brother and sister years apart.

Luke Bryan’s Brother and Sister Died Years Apart and He’s Still Carrying That Pain Today

Country music’s known for telling stories, but Luke Bryan’s life reads more like a ballad you never want to live through. Before the chart-toppers, before the sold-out stadium tours, before ...

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert perform together in cowboy hats as their new duet “A Song to Sing” sparks mixed reactions from critics and fans.

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert’s New Duet Slammed by Critics but Loved by Listeners

You’d think pairing two of the biggest voices in country music would set the world on fire. Instead, some critics are out here pouring cold water on what was supposed ...

More than 50 country legends and stars join together onstage at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th celebration for a surprise performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

Opry 100 Crowd Thought It Was Over Then 50 Country Legends Sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”

Thought the show was over? Not even close. The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration already had fans floating on a high of nostalgia, surprise collaborations, and once-in-a-lifetime performances. But ...

Chris Stapleton performing onstage in a cowboy hat and black suit while playing guitar, tied to his big $1 million donation to help Texas families after devastating floods.

Chris Stapleton Steps Up to Help Texas Families After Devastating Floods With Big Donation

When the waters rise, real country shows up. Texas got hit with a storm over Fourth of July weekend that nobody saw coming, a wall of rain that turned the ...

Beyoncé performing in a white rhinestone outfit and cowboy hat during her Cowboy Carter Tour, amid news her unreleased music and setlists were stolen from a car in Atlanta.

Beyoncé’s Unreleased Music Stolen From Car in Atlanta Along With Cowboy Carter Tour Plans and Setlists

Well, here we go. Beyoncé might want to saddle up that golden horse of hers because this Cowboy Carter circus just keeps getting wilder, and not in a way that’ll ...

Darius Rucker passionately singing on stage before walking off after four songs and refunding fans when he lost his voice in Atlantic City.

Darius Rucker Walks Off Stage After 4 Songs Says “I Can’t Sing Anymore” and Refunds Fans

Sometimes the road just knocks the wind right out of you, or in Darius Rucker‘s case, it takes your voice and leaves you standing there, hat in hand, with nothing ...