Summertime Blues

"Summertime Blues" is a 1958 song recorded by Eddie Cochran about the trials and tribulations of teenage life in America.

It was written in the late 1950s by Eddie Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Originally a single B-side, it peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958 and #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The handclapping is performed by Sharon Sheeley, and the deep vocals at the end of each verse are done by Cochran.

The song was used in the 1980 movie Caddyshack. In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at #77 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.

The song is ranked #73 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Part of its lyrics address the controversy surrounding the voting age, which at the time was 21. Such protests would lead to the 26th Amendment, lowering the age to 18.

Cover versions

Beach Boys' version

The Beach Boys's version appears on their album Surfin' Safari.

Blue Cheer's version

Blue Cheer recorded it for their 1968 album Vincebus Eruptum. Their version, which omits all of the response lyrics heard in Cochran's version in favor of instrumental responses by each member of the band, was featured as one of the first heavy metal recordings in the 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey.

During the '80s MTV played a black & white video for the song, taken from a TV program, in their Closet Classics segment. The song was also featured in the 1986 movie Troll and the 1991 movie Night on Earth and the 1996 movie I Shot Andy Warhol.

The Who's version

"Summertime Blues"
Single by The Who
from the album Live at Leeds
B-side	"Heaven and Hell"
Released	June 1970
Format	7" 45 RPM
Genre	Rock
Length	3:22
Label	Track (UK) Decca (US)
Writer(s)	Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capeheart
Producer	Kit Lambert, Chris Stamp
The Who singles chronology
"The Seeker" (1970) "Summertime Blues" (1970) "See Me, Feel Me" (1970)

The Who's version appears on the 1970 album Live at Leeds. Their version is done in a more aggressive (and louder) style than the original. It is played in the key of A major and on the 3rd verse modulates up to B major.

This version features John Entwistle singing the vocal parts of the boss, the father, and the congressman in his trademark baritone growl, in addition to playing the bass guitar and doubling Roger Daltrey's lead vocal on the verses in his normal register. The track features the original four-man Who lineup of Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, and Pete Townshend.

Other live versions from The Who are featured in the concert and documentary film Woodstock and the Monterey Pop Festival box set.

"Summertime Blues" was a staple of Who concerts between 1967 and 1976 with intermittent appearances thereafter, but has not been played since Entwistle's death in 2002.

Other Who versions can be found on Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, Odds & Sods, and the CD release of Live at the Royal Albert Hall.

Olivia Newton-John's version

On her Clearly Love album, 1975.

T. Rex's version

On his T. Rex album, 1970. Originally a single 'B' side.

Brian Setzer version

Played by him on the La Bamba Soundtrack (and on the film in which he performs as Eddie Cochran). Another version appears on "Rockin' by Myself" released in 1998.

Cheech Marin's version

• Played in the 1987 movie Born in East L.A.

Nathan Cavaleri's version

• Played in the 1994 movie Camp Nowhere.

Alan Jackson's version

• Recorded on his 1994 album Who I Am, Alan Jackson's version reached Number One on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and #4 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 (equivalent to #104 on the Billboard Hot 100).

While so many versions of this song have been recorded, Alan was inspired by Buck Owens' version.^[2]

Chart positions

Gary Allan's version

• Played in the 1999 TV miniseries Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story.

Rush's version

"Summertime Blues"
Single by Rush
from the album Feedback
Released	June 2004
Genre	Rock
Length	3:52
Label	Anthem (CAN) Atlantic Records (US)
Writer(s)	Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capeheart
Producer	Rush & David Leonard
Rush singles chronology
"Secret Touch" (2002) "Summertime Blues" (2004) "Far Cry" (2007)

• Like the Blue Cheer version, the line "I'd like to help you son..." is not spoken.
• Played as the theme song for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s SummerSlam pay per view in 2004.
• In A major like the Who's version (3rd verse likewise modulates up to B major), but guitar intro is that of the Blue Cheer version, transposed to fit new key

The Black Keys' version

• B-side on the 10 A.M. Automatic single
• bonus track on the Japanese release of their 2004 album Rubber Factory

Other covers

The song has also been covered by

• Attitude Adjustment
• BAP (renamed and sung in Kölsch language as 'Wo Mer Endlich Sommer Han')
• Bobby Fuller
• Bon Jovi
• Brian Setzer (sometimes incorrectly attributed to George Thorogood) a version featured in the film, La Bamba
• Bruce Springsteen
• Buck Owens
• Buddy Holly
• CAPRiS
• Cheech Marin
• Chris Spedding
• Cliff Richard
• The Clash
• De La Soul
• Deborah Harry
• Dionysos
• Downchild Blues Band
• Dry Rot
• Eddie Meduza
• The Flaming Lips - Hear It Is
• The Flying Lizards
• Frank Sidebottom (renamed 'Timperley Blues')
• Gary Allan
• George Thorogood
• The Guess Who ("This Time Long Ago" compilation)
• Guitar Wolf
• Hanson
• Heartsdales
• Jimi Hendrix
• James Taylor
• Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
• Jussi & The Boys (In Finnish)
• La Muerte
• Last Ones to Leave
• Levon Helm
• Little River Band
• Lolita No.18
• Mick Farren
• moe.
• Motörhead - All the Aces: The Best of Motörhead
• Motorpsycho
• Nathan Cavaleri
• Olivia Newton-John
• Papa Doo Run Run
• Pfuri, Gorps und Kniri
• Ritchie Valens (Live at Pacoima High School 1959)
• Ritchie Venus and the Blue Beatles - Rocking to the Grave
• Rockapella - Smilin' (August 2002)
• Robert Gordon and Link Wray
• Sandy Nelson
• Stray Cats
• T.Rex
• Takako Minekawa
• Terry Reid
• Twenty-Nineteen
• The Beach Boys
• The Black Keys
• The Rolling Stones
• The Surfaris
• The Old Spice Boys
• The Treads
• The Gants
• The Ordinary Boys
• The Ventures
• The Who
• Über Kings
• Ulfuls
• Unknown Hinson
• Van Halen
• Vow Wow
• Warren Zevon

References

1. ^ Alan Jackson Discography at LP Discographies.com link
2. ^ ^{a b} (1995) Album notes for The Greatest Hits Collection by Alan Jackson [CD]. Arista Records (07822 18801).

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