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.

Contents

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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • B-side on the 10 A.M. Automatic single

Bands and artists that have covered the song include:

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