THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

422-Eddie Cochran-Somethin’ Else.

1959-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 1.49. The moral of the song. If you work hard you can achieve.

Eddie Ray Cochran (see also best songs 50) was born on October 3rd, 1938, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States, he died on April 17th, 1960, at the age of 21. Eddie Cochran was one of the most important figures in the development of ‘Rockabilly,’ ‘Rock N’ Roll,’ and ‘Rock’ music in general, with his experimentation with multi tracking recording, distortion techniques, and overdubbing, dating back to as early as 1955. Cochran portrayed the image that every young male 1950’s ‘Rocker’ craved, with his portrayal of a sharply dressed, handsome young man, with a rebellious attitude. In 1955, Eddie Cochran formed a duo with the guitarist Hank Cochran, (1935-2010) (no relation) and they became known as the ‘Cochran Brothers,’ when they split the following year, Eddie Cochran began a song-writing career with Jerry Capehart, (1928-1998) who would also go on to be his manager until his death. On February 7th, 1959, Eddie Cochran performed live on the American Country Music television programme ‘Town Hall Party,’ where the host asked him about his prediction for the future of ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ music, Cochran answered, ‘I think actually rock ‘n’ roll will be here for quite sometime. But I don’t think it’s going be rock ‘n’ roll as we know it today. I think it has been around for a long time, but nobody actually recognised it. The way I look at it, rhythm and blues y’know, and blues has been around for so long, and then they kind of blended country and western music in with it y’know. I think it’s going to be here for a long time, but changing.’ In early 1959, two of Eddie Cochran’s friends, Buddy Holly (1936-1959) (see also best songs 898 and 264) and Ritchie Valens, (1941-1959) along with the Big Bopper, (1930-1959) (see also best songs 1017) were killed in a plane crash while on tour on February 3rd, 1959. Cochran’s friends and family later said that he was badly shaken by their deaths, and he developed a morbid premonition that he also would die young. Eddie Cochran was anxious to give up life on the road and spend his time in the studio making music, thereby reducing the chance of suffering a similar fatal accident while touring. Financial responsibilities, however, required that Cochran continue to perform live, and that led to his acceptance of an offer to tour the United Kingdom in 1960.

The discography of Eddie Cochran includes one studio Album, ‘Singin’ to My Baby,’ released in November 1957, and 20 singles released between 1955-1963, there are also 19 extended plays, (EP’s) and at least 27 official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, three of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Summertime Blues’ from 1958, peaking the highest at Number 8, while ‘Somethin’ Else’ stalled at Number 58. In the UK, Eddie Cochran has had nine top 40 hits, with ‘Three Steps to Heaven’ making the Number 1 spot following his death in 1960.

‘Somethin’ Else’ was co-written by Bob Cochran, (Eddie’s brother) and Sharon Sheeley, (1940-2002) who at the time of Eddie Cochran’s death was ‘unofficially engaged’ to him, the song was produced by Eddie Cochran. Sharon Kathleen Sheeley was born on April 4th, 1940, in Newport Beach, California, United States, she died on May 17th, 2002 from a cerebral haemorrhage, at the age of 62. Her other writing credits include ‘Poor Little Fool’ recorded by Ricky Nelson, (1940-1985) when the song made Number 1 on Billboard in 1958, Sheeley at the age of 18 became the youngest woman to write an American Number 1 hit. Sheeley also found great success as a songwriter when teaming up with fellow female American songwriter Jackie De Shannon (see also best songs 573.) In April 1960, Sharon Sheeley travelled to the United Kingdom to join Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent, (1935-1971) (see also best songs 757) who were touring there. On the night of April 16th, 1960, Sharon Sheeley, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran were travelling in a private hire taxi from a concert in Bristol to London Heathrow Airport when it slammed into a lamp post near Chippenham. All three were rushed to a hospital. Cochran, who had been thrown from the vehicle, suffered fatal brain injuries and died the next day, at the age of 21. Sheeley suffered a broken pelvis, and Vincent broke his ribs and collarbone. The other two in the taxi were Patrick Tompkins, the tours manager, who sustained facial injuries, and the taxi’s driver George Martin, who did not sustain any significant injuries.

‘Somethin’ Else’ has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, notable covers include a live version from the French singer Johnny Hallyday, (1943-2017) whose rendition topped the chart in France in 1962, and a version by the Sex Pistols (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) with Sid Vicious (1957-1979) on lead vocals, which reached Number 3 in the UK in 1979.

‘Never thought I’d do this before, but here I am a-knockin’ on her door. My car’s out front and it’s all mine, just a ’41 Ford, not a ’59. I got that girl and I’m a-thinkin’ to myself, she’s sure fine lookin’ man, wow she’s something else.’