FLYING LIZARDS “SUMMERTIME BLUES” (1979)
originally recorded by Eddie Cochran (1958)
cover version appears on Flying Lizards (Virgin, 1979)
While I love the covers of this tune by Blue Cheer and The Who, this one is IT. No frills, no stupid guitar solos, no dude-it-tude—just a drum machine, clicking sticks, a detuned piano, and a guitar wailing in the distance. Ok, maybe there’s a drum machine solo. Either way, it’s still a gem.
History of “Summertime Blues” (according to Wikipedia):
“Summertime Blues” is a 1958 song 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 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958 and #18 on the 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.
Part of its lyrics address the controversy surrounding the voting age, which at the time was 21. Such protests would lead to the 26th Amendment, lowering the age to 18.
The song has also been covered by:
* Alan Jackson
* Attitude Adjustment
* BAP (renamed and sung in Kölsch language as ‘Wo Mer Endlich Sommer Han’)
* The Beach Boys
* Bobby Fuller
* Bon Jovi
* Bow Wow
* Brian Setzer (sometimes incorrectly attributed to George Thorogood)
* Buddy Holly
* Bruce Springsteen
* Buck Owens
* Buddy Holly
* CAPRiS
* Cheech Marin
* Chris Spedding
* The Clash
* De La Soul
* Deborah Harry
* Dionysos
* Downchild Blues Band
* Dry Rot
* Eddie Meduza
* The Flaming Lips
* Frank Sidebottom
* Gary Allan
* George Thorogood
* The Guess Who
* Guitar Wolf
* Hanson
* Heartsdales
* Jimi Hendrix
* James Taylor
* Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
* Jussi & The Boys
* La Muerte
* Last Ones to Leave
* Levon Helm
* Little River Band
* Lolita No.18
* Mick Farren
* moe.
* Motörhead
* Motorpsycho
* Nathan Cavaleri
* Olivia Newton-John
* Papa Doo Run Run
* Pfuri, Gorps und Kniri
* Ritchie Valens
* Ritchie Venus and the Blue Beatles
* Rockapella
* Robert Gordon and Link Wray
* Rush
* Sandy Nelson
* Stray Cats
* T.Rex
* Takako Minekawa
* Terry Reid
* Twenty-Nineteen
* The Beach Boys
* The Black Keys
* The Rolling Stones
* The Surfaris
* The Old Spice Boys
* The Treads
* The Gants
* The Ordinary Boys
* The Ventures
* The Who
* Über Kings
* Ulfuls
* Van Halen
* Warren Zevon
I know I promised a week of Flying Lizards covers. Rather than do that, I’ll direct you to The Flying Lizards’ Top Ten, an album comprised entirely of covers, including (dare I say it—better than the original????) “Sex Machine” (see below), “Tutti Frutti”, and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”.
Some hits here, some definite misses. Personally, I can’t be bothered with the Lizards’ cover of “Money”, arguably their most popular song. Different strokes, I guess.
Blogload: The Flying Lizards’ Top Ten on Boards of Electronica
