Summertime Blues

Infobox Single
Name =Summertime Blues


Caption =
Type =B-side to "Love Again"
Artist =Eddie Cochran
alt Artist =
Album =
Published =
Released =June 11, 1958http://www.eddiecochran.info/Discography/USA/III.htm Cochran discography]
track_no =
Recorded =
Genre =Rock and roll, blues
Length =1:53
Writer =Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart
Composer =
Label =Liberty Records 55144
Producer =
Misc = "Summertime Blues" (1958) is a 12-bar blues standard song by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart 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 Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958 and #18 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

Cover versions

Beach Boys' version

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

Blue Cheer's version (Original)

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 recording in the 2005 documentary "".

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

Infobox Single
Name = Summertime Blues


Artist = The Who
from 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 = Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capeheart
Producer = Kit Lambert, Chris Stamp
Chart position = * #27 US Pop Singles
* #38 UK Singles Chart
Last single = "The Seeker"
(1970)
This single = "Summertime Blues"
(1970)
Next single = "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. The track features the original four-man Who lineup of Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, and Pete Townshend.

Another live version from The Who is featured in the concert and documentary film "Woodstock".

"Summertime Blues" was a staple of Who concerts between 1967 and 1976 with intermittent appearances thereafter.

Other Who versions can be found on "Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970", "Odds & Sods", "30 Years of Maximum R&B", and the CD release of "Live at the Royal Albert Hall".

Olivia Newton-John's Version

On her "Clearly Love" album, 1975.

Buddy Holly And the Cricket's Version

Played by him on the La Bamba Movie Soundtrack

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" 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).

Gary Allan's version

*Played in the 1999 TV miniseries "".

Rush's version

Infobox Single
Name = Summertime Blues


Artist = Rush
from Album = Feedback
B-side =
Released = June 2004
Format =
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:52
Label = Anthem (CAN)
Atlantic Records (US)
Writer = Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capeheart
Producer = Rush & David Leonard
Chart position = * #30 US Mainstream Rock
*
Last single = "Secret Touch"
(2002)
This single = "Summertime Blues"
(2004)
Next single = "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
BAP (renamed and sung in Kölsch language as 'Wo Mer Endlich Sommer Han')
Bobby Fuller,
Bon Jovi,
Bow Wow,
Brian Setzer (sometimes incorrectly attributed to George Thorogood),
Bruce Springsteen,
Buck Owens,
CAPRiS,
Cheech Marin,
Chris Spedding,
The Clash,
De La Soul,
Deborah Harry,
Dionysos,
Dry Rot (band),
The Flaming Lips - "Hear It Is",
The Flying Lizards,
Frank Sidebottom (renamed 'Timperley Blues'),
Gary Allan,
The Guess Who ("This Time Long Ago" compilation),
Guitar Wolf,
Hanson,
Jimi Hendrix,
James Taylor,
Joan Jett,
Jussi & The Boys (In Finnish),
La Muerte,Last Ones to Leave,
Levon Helm,
Little River Band,
Lolita No.18,
Mick Farren,
moe.,
Motörhead - "",
Motorpsycho,
Nathan Cavaleri,
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,
Rolling Stones,
Sandy Nelson,
Stray Cats,
The Surfaris,
The Old Spice Boys,
The Treads,
T. Rex,
Takako Minekawa,
Terry Reid,
The Beach Boys,
The Black Keys,
The Flying Lizards,
The Gants,
The Ordinary Boys,
The Ventures,
Twenty-Nineteen,
Über Kings,
Ulfuls,
Van Halen,
Warren Zevon,
Heartsdalesand Eddie Meduza.

References