About the song
“Wake Up Little Susie,” penned by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and famously performed by the Everly Brothers, remains an iconic piece in the annals of rock and roll history. Released in 1957 on Cadence Records, the song swiftly ascended to the top of the Billboard Pop chart, cementing its place as a classic of the era. Its narrative, told from the perspective of a teenage boy addressing his girlfriend Susie, captured the innocence and societal norms of the time.
The song’s storyline revolves around Susie and her beau attending a late-night movie date, where they inadvertently doze off and awaken well past her curfew hour of 10 o’clock. The lyrics humorously detail their panicked realization and anticipation of facing her disapproving parents and the judgmental gaze of their peers. In the conservative atmosphere of the 1950s, the song’s themes of teenage rebellion against curfews and the fear of social repercussions struck a chord with listeners.
Despite its catchy melody and the Everly Brothers’ harmonious delivery, “Wake Up Little Susie” stirred controversy upon its release. The suggestive nature of the lyrics, by the standards of the time, led to the song being banned on Boston radio stations. However, this controversy only fueled its popularity further, propelling it to the top of multiple charts including Billboard’s country and rhythm & blues listings.
Over the years, “Wake Up Little Susie” has endured as a cultural touchstone, earning accolades such as a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame and a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Its influence extended beyond its initial release, inspiring artists like Simon & Garfunkel, who paid homage to the Everly Brothers with their own rendition in 1982 during a concert in Central Park.
Simon & Garfunkel’s cover of the song, while not reaching the same chart-topping heights as the original, underscored the enduring appeal and influence of the Everly Brothers’ music. Their interpretation highlighted the song’s timeless quality and its ability to resonate with audiences across generations.
In conclusion, “Wake Up Little Susie” remains not just a song but a cultural artifact that reflects the social norms and anxieties of its time, while also transcending them to become a lasting emblem of rock and roll’s early heyday.
Video
Lyrics
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
We’ve both been sound asleep, wake up, little Susie, and weep
The movie’s over, it’s four o’clock, and we’re in trouble deep
Wake up little Susie
Wake up little Susie
Well, what are we gonna tell your mama?
What are we gonna tell your pa?
What are we gonna tell our friends
When they say, “Ooh la la!”
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, I told your mama that you’d be in by ten
Well, Susie, baby looks like we goofed again
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
We gotta go home
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
The movie wasn’t so hot
It didn’t have much of a plot
We fell asleep
Our goose is cooked
Our reputation is shot
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, what are we gonna tell your mama
What are we gonna tell your pa?
What are we gonna tell our friends
When they say, “Ooh la la!”
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie