About the song
“Summertime Blues” stands as a quintessential rock and roll anthem that captured the teenage angst of the late 1950s. This iconic track, co-written and performed by American rock artist Eddie Cochran, debuted as a single B-side in August 1958 and quickly ascended the charts. By late September of the same year, it had soared to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claimed the 18th spot on the UK Singles Chart, solidifying its place in music history.
Crafted by Cochran in collaboration with his manager Jerry Capehart, “Summertime Blues” explores the frustrations of a young man grappling with the various pressures of adulthood. The song vividly depicts the narrator’s struggles with a demanding boss, unsympathetic parents, and a lack of freedom—issues that resonate with anyone who has felt constrained by external expectations. The protagonist’s yearning for freedom is palpable as he laments his inability to enjoy summer as he is overworked and unable to enjoy a date with his girlfriend. His plight is humorously detailed through a series of escalating complaints, culminating in his futile attempt to seek help from the United Nations and his ultimate dismissal by his congressman due to his lack of voting rights.
Recorded on March 28, 1958, at the renowned Gold Star Recording Studios in Hollywood, the track features Cochran’s multifaceted talents—he performed both the vocal and bass vocal parts, played all guitar segments, and contributed hand clapping, possibly with Sharon Sheeley. The song also includes notable contributions from Connie ‘Guybo’ Smith on electric bass and Earl Palmer on drums.
“Summertime Blues” has left an indelible mark on the music industry. The original 1958 single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and is ranked number 73 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Its influence extends beyond the charts, appearing in films like “Caddyshack,” “This Boy’s Life,” and “American Shaolin,” as well as in television series such as “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The song’s legacy is further celebrated on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” and was recognized by Q magazine in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks in March 2005. Through its enduring appeal and influential sound, “Summertime Blues” continues to be a touchstone of rock and roll history.
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Lyrics
I’m a-gonna raise a fuss
I’m a-gonna raise a holler
About workin’ all summer
Just-a trying 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
A-well, my mama and papa told me
“Son, you gotta make some money
And if you wanna use the car
To go a-ridin’ next Sunday”
A-well, I didn’t go to work
Told the boss I was sick
“No, 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, quote
“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