Summertime Blues
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"Summertime Blues" (1958) is a classic and often-covered 12-bar blues by Eddie Cochran about the trials and tribulations of teenage life in America.
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[edit] In the media
[edit] Eddie Cochran's version
Written by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart (his manager) in the late 1950's.
- Released June 11th, 1958, with backside Love Again.
- Peaked at #8 Billboard Hot 100 on September 29th, 1958.
- Deep vocals at the end of each verse are done by Eddie himself.
- Played in the 1980 movie Caddyshack.
- In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at number 77 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
- In the key of E major
[edit] The Who's version
- Appears on the 1970 album Live at Leeds. The Who's version is done in a more aggressive (and louder) style than the original, and is so well-known that many people mistakenly think of "Summertime Blues" as an original by The Who.
- In the key of A major. In the live version, 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 bass 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.
[edit] Olivia Newton-John's version
- Recorded for her 1975's album "Clearly Love".
[edit] Gary Allan's version
- Played in the TV show Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story.
[edit] Blue Cheer's version
- Recorded for their 1968 album Vincebus Eruptum
- In the key of C major
- Included in 1986 compilation cd: Rock N Roll Classics in Digital
- Played in the 1991 movie Night on Earth
- Played in the 1996 movie I Shot Andy Warhol.
- Featured in the 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey.
[edit] Nathan Cavaleri's version
- Played in the 1994 movie Camp Nowhere.
[edit] Cheech Marin's version
- Played in the 1987 movie Born in East L.A.
[edit] Rush's version
- 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
[edit] The Black Keys' version
- B-side on the 10 A.M. Automatic single
[edit] List of cover versions
Bands and artists that have covered the song include:
- George Thorogood and the Destroyers
- Alan Jackson
- Blue Cheer
- Bobby Fuller
- Bow Wow
- Brian Setzer
- Bruce Springsteen
- Buck Owens
- Cheech Marin
- Chris Spedding
- De La Soul
- Deborah Harry
- The Flaming Lips - Hear It Is (1986)
- Gary Allan
- Guitar Wolf (trivia: Guitar Wolf sang the lyrics inaccurately, due to their limited English skills)
- Hanson
- James Taylor
- Joan Jett
- Jussi & The Boys (In Finnish)
- Levon Helm
- Little River Band
- Lolita No.18
- Mick Farren
- Motörhead - All the Aces: The Best of Motörhead
- Nathan Cavaleri
- Papa Doo Run Run
- Ritchie Venus and the Blue Beatles - Rocking to the Grave
- Rockapella - Smilin' (August 2002)
- Rolling Stones
- Rush – Feedback
- Sandy Nelson
- Stray Cats
- The Surfaris
- T. Rex (with Marc Bolan)
- Terry Reid
- The Beach Boys
- The Black Keys
- The Flying Lizards
- The Gants
- The Ordinary Boys
- The Ventures
- The Who
- Über Kings
- Van Halen
