Eddie Cochran wrote this song and released it in 1958.
Cochran wrote this with Jerry Capehart, a songwriter who was good friends with Cochran and helped him get a record deal. Capehart said: “There had been a lot of songs about summer, but none about the hardships of summer.” With that idea and a guitar lick from Cochran, they wrote the song in 45 minutes.”
I like the Cochran version…and the Who version…they are completely different. I’ve always loved the way the Who covered it. If I had a time machine The Who would be a stop to see live at this time.
This song was on their great live album Live At Leeds. The song peaked at #27 in the Billboard 100, #8 in Canada, and #38 in the UK in 1970.
Live at Leeds would be my pick for best rock live album ever. The album peaked at #4 in the Billboard 100, #2 in Canada, and #3 in the UK.
Summertime Blues
I’m gonna raise a fuss, I’m gonna raise a holler
About a-workin’ all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Well, I went to the boss, get a girl for a date
But the 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 mama and papa 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, I 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 went to 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
