Summertime Blues
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Love Again " | ||||
Released |
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Recorded | March 28, 1958 | |||
Studio | Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 1:59 | |||
Label | Liberty | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Eddie Cochran | |||
Eddie Cochran singles chronology | ||||
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"Summertime Blues" is a song co-written and recorded by American rock artist
Lyrics
The song is about the struggle between a teenager and his parents, his boss and his congressman during the summer.[4] The narrator resents having to take a job in order to earn pocket money, and he cannot go on a date with his girlfriend because his boss keeps scheduling him to work late.[3] After falsely telling the boss he is sick in order to get out of going to work, his parents will not let him use their car due to his laziness. Finally, he considers visiting the United Nations to complain about his situation; he settles for writing to his congressman, who brushes him off since he is too young to vote.[a]
Eddie Cochran version
"Summertime Blues" was recorded on March 28, 1958, at
Legacy
The 1958
Chart performance
Chart (1958) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austrian Singles Chart[7] | 18 |
Canadian Singles Chart (CHUM)[8] | 10 |
Rhodesian Singles Chart (1968)[9] | 12 |
South African Singles Chart (1968)[9] | 18 |
UK Singles Chart[10] | 18 |
UK Singles Chart (1968)[10] | 34 |
US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 8 |
Johnny Chester version
Australian rock 'n' roll singer Johnny Chester cited Cochran as one of his idols and had used the track when rehearsing his first band in 1959.[12] Chester released his cover version on W&G Records in 1962 and was backed on the recording by local instrumental group the Chessmen, with Bert Stacpool on piano, his brother Les Stacpool on guitar, Frank McMahon on bass guitar, and Graeme Trottman on drums.[13] In December it peaked at No. 30 on the Kent Music Report.[14][15]
Hep Stars version
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Olga | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
The Hep Stars singles chronology | ||||
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Swedish rock band Hep Stars recorded Summertime Blues as a single in late December 1964.[16] It was a six-hour, consecutive session in which the Hep Stars recorded six tracks: "Summertime Blues", "A Tribute to Buddy Holly", "Farmer John", "If You Need Me", "Bird Dog" and "Donna".[17] The sessions for these were the first professional recordings of keyboardist Benny Andersson, later of ABBA fame.[16][18][19] Their manager, Åke Gerhard had booked the recording sessions, as cheaply as he possibly could get away with. He booked Borgarskolan in central Stockholm and quickly turned it into a makeshift recording studio.[20] Andersson would later comment on the sessions:
It must have been one of the cheapest sessions in the history of recorded music, we put two microphones on the stage of the assembly hall in a school and then we just played
— Carl Magnus Palm, Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Real Story of ABBA
Of these tracks, only "A Tribute to Buddy Holly" was released as a single in February 1965.
While not issued on any album at the time, it, along with the B-Side were issued as bonus material on the 1996 remaster of their debut album We and Our Cadillac
Personnel
- Janne Frisk – guitar, lead vocals
- Christer Pettersson – drums
- Benny Andersson – keyboards, piano
- Lennart Hegland – bass guitar
Blue Cheer version
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Single by Blue Cheer | ||||
from the album Vincebus Eruptum | ||||
B-side | "Out of Focus" | |||
Released | 1968 | |||
Recorded | 1967 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:43 | |||
Label | Philips | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Abe "Voco" Kesh | |||
Blue Cheer singles chronology | ||||
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The American rock band Blue Cheer recorded their version of "Summertime Blues" in 1967 and included it on their 1968 release entitled Vincebus Eruptum. The single peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, pushing the sales of the album even higher to number 11.[26] It topped the Dutch charts for one week in 1968.[27] This version was ranked number 73 on the list of "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time" of Rolling Stone.[28]
Chart performance
Chart (1968) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Singles Chart[29] | 3 |
Dutch Singles Chart[30] | 1 |
US Billboard Hot 100[31] | 14 |
The Who version
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Single by the Who | ||||
from the album Live at Leeds | ||||
B-side | "Heaven and Hell" | |||
Released | June 1970 | |||
Recorded | February 14, 1970 | |||
Venue | University of Leeds Refectory, Leeds, UK | |||
Genre | Hard rock[32] | |||
Length | 3:22 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | The Who | |||
The Who singles chronology | ||||
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The first version to be released by the Who appeared on the 1970 album Live at Leeds.[3] The single from this album peaked at number 38 in the UK and number 27 in the US.[33] "I'm a big fan of 'Summertime Blues' on that album," remarked Rush bassist Geddy Lee, "which we covered [see below] to a large degree because of their version."[34]
This version by the Who differed from the original in both the sense of aggression and volume. As lead singer Roger Daltrey noted, "We'd taken the song from being in kind of a swing rhythm on the off-beat to a rock rhythm on the one."[3] Entwistle would sing the bass parts on the song, but the band struggled to capture the same energy of it in the studio. The live version recorded at the Leeds show managed to capture this fully.[3]
Studio version
The Who recorded at least two studio versions of this track in 1967. They went unreleased until 1998 and 2009, when they appeared on the remastered CD of Odds & Sods and the deluxe edition of The Who Sell Out, respectively. Other live versions from the Who are featured in the Monterey Pop Festival CD box set and the concert and documentary film Woodstock (1970), as well as Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 and the CD release of Live at the Royal Albert Hall.[3]
Critical reception
Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the Who gave it a "wild updating" and was "certain to put them right up there at the top."[35]
Chart performance
Chart (1970) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian RPM Top Singles[36] | 8 |
Dutch Singles Chart[37] | 25 |
UK Singles Chart[3] | 38 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 27 |
Alan Jackson version
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Single by Alan Jackson | ||||
from the album Who I Am | ||||
B-side | "Hole in the Wall" | |||
Released | June 6, 1994 | |||
Recorded | January 11, 1994[38] | |||
Genre | Country, country rock | |||
Length | 3:11 (album version) | |||
Label | Arista Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Keith Stegall | |||
Alan Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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American
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Jackson "gives the oft-covered Eddie Cochran oldie the full, twangy 'Chattahoochee' treatment." She goes on to say that "until the vocal starts, you may not know which song you're listening to. But who cares?" She says that with his "signature laid-back vocal style, the long, tall Georgian turns this '50s teen anthem into a '90s country classic."[39] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe reviewed the song unfavorably, saying that Jackson blatantly attempted to recreate the "Chattahoochee" phenomenon. He goes on to say that the "charm of the Eddie Cochran original is lost by forcing those country line-dance beats into the backing track."[40]
Music video
The video was directed by Michael Salomon and was released in June 1994. Considered by Jackson as the "sequel" to his "Chattahoochee" video a year earlier, it was also the only video of his that Salomon directed. It begins with a shot of him water-skiing (which ends the "Chattahoochee" video) before transitioning to him and a band performing the song while seated in the bed of a pickup. Many 4-wheelers, ATVs and a limo full of middle-aged farmers are seen riding through the mud and getting stuck. Jackson, in a plain white t-shirt, is seen riding around in the mud in his pickup before getting out and walking in between many people fighting in the mud. However, he stays stainless until the very end, where he only gets one small spot of mud on the left side of his shirt before finally joining in the tussle. It ends with Jackson posing as a scarecrow.
Chart positions
"Summertime Blues" debuted at number 53 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of June 18, 1994.
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[41] | 1 |
US | 4 |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[43] | 1 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1994) | Position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[44] | 3 |
US Country Songs (Billboard)[45] | 7 |
Johnny Hallyday version
"La Fille de l'été dernier" | ||||
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Single by Johnny Hallyday | ||||
Released | 1975 | (France)|||
Label | Philips | |||
Johnny Hallyday singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"La Fille de l'été dernier" (INA archive, 1975) on YouTube |
The song was covered in French by Johnny Hallyday. His version (titled "La Fille de l'été dernier") was released in 1975 and spent one week at no. 1 on the singles sales chart in France (from May 10 to 16, 1975).[46]
Charts
Chart (1975) | Peak position |
---|---|
France (singles sales)[46] | 1 |
Rush version
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Single by Rush | ||||
from the album Feedback | ||||
Released | May 21, 2004 | |||
Genre | Hard rock | |||
Length | 3:43 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Rush singles chronology | ||||
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Canadian rock band Rush released their cover as a single on May 21, 2004. It was later included on their cover EP Feedback, released on June 29. The song was the theme for the WWE SummerSlam event on August 15, 2004. The song was performed live during the band's 30th anniversary tour later that year, and was included on the R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour concert DVD. The fourth line of each verse is omitted.
Chart positions
Chart (2004) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)[47] | 12 |
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[48] | 30 |
Personnel
- lead vocals, bass
- Alex Lifeson – guitar
- percussion
T.Rex version
"Summertime Blues" | ||||
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Single by T. Rex (band) | ||||
A-side | "Ride a White Swan" | |||
Released | October 9, 1970 | |||
Recorded | July 1, 1970 | |||
Genre | Rock and roll [49] | |||
Length | 2:44 | |||
Label | Fly | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Toni Visconti | |||
T. Rex (band) singles chronology | ||||
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The English rock band T.Rex recorded a cover during session recording for Ride a White Swan as an alternative B-side. In 2004 this was re-released on an expanded edition of the 1970 album T.Rex.
Notes
- ^ The minimum voting age in most of the United States was 21 when the song was written. It would be lowered to 18 in 1971, following ratification of the 26th Amendment. Cochran was 19 when he recorded the song.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
- ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 11 - Tennessee Firebird. [Part 3], Big Rock Candy Mountain. [Part 1]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ^ )
- ^ Mastropolo, Frank (7 June 2016). "Top 11 Songs About Teenagers". Rock Cellar Magazine.
- ^ "Rocklist.net...Q Magazine Lists". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
- ^ "Stories of Rock | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com. 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
- ^ "Lescharts.com - Eddie Cochran: Summertime Blues". RPM. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - October 6, 1958".
- ^ a b "Eddie Cochran". 45cat. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Eddie Cochran". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ "Eddie Cochran Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ Johnston, Chris (26 October 2012). "Our First Rock Star". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the originalon 6 August 2004. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
- ^ Ryan (bulion), Gary (26 January 2012). "Chart Positions Pre 1989 Part 4 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ a b "The Hep Stars - Summertime Blues". Thehepstars.se. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
- ^ Hep Stars, 1964–1969, EMI Svenska AB/Olga 7C1 38-35956/7, double album liner notes
- ^ a b "The Hep Stars - A Tribute To Buddy Holly". Thehepstars.se. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
- ^ "The Hep Stars - Farmer John". Thehepstars.se. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
- ISBN 978-0-85712-057-1.
- )
- )
- ISBN 978-0-85712-057-1.
- ISBN 978-1-4422-3322-5.
- ISBN 978-1-4402-2821-6.
- ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
- ^ "Top 40-lijst van week 25, 1968". Top40.nl. 1968-06-22. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 2008-05-31. Archived from the original on 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - May 4, 1968" (PDF).
- ^ "Top 40 van week 25, 1968". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ^ "Blue Cheer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ Kirby, Fred (August 23, 1969). "Who, B. B. King, Airplane Soar". Billboard. p. 19.
- ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
- ^ "Live albums". Classic Rock supplement: The Live Albums That Changed The World. December 2011. p. 5.
- Billboard, July 4, 1970
- ^ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - The Who: Summertime Blues". RPM. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "Lescharts.com - The Who: Summertime Blues". RPM. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ a b The Greatest Hits Collection (CD). Alan Jackson. Arista Records. 1995. 07822 18801.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Billboard, June 25, 1994
- ^ "Retro Single Review: Alan Jackson, "Summertime Blues" – Country Universe". Countryuniverse.net. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2548." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. August 1, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "Alan Jackson Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Alan Jackson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1994". RPM. December 12, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1994: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ a b "La fille de l'été dernier - Johnny Hallyday - Hit-Parade.net". Retrieved 2017-11-13.
- ^ "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). p. 65. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ "Rush Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
- ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.