June 17, 2018
Written by Eddie Cochran & Jerry Neal Capehart
Produced by Eddie Cochran
Recorded at Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, CA, March, 1958
Released as a single in July 1968
“Summertime Blues” was a song ahead of its time, composed and produced by then-19-year-old Eddie Cochran in 1958. The song was originally a single B-side, the song became a surprise hit in its time and its influence in rock n’ roll reverberated for decades to follow.
For the recording, Cochran provided multiple vocals and played all the guitar parts. The song has since been inducted into both the Rock and Grammy Halls of Fame.
Watch to “Summertime Blues”:
Song Lyrics
About a-workin’ all summer just to try 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
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 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 “whoa!”
“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
