Classic Pop Icons

Eddie Cochran’s classic rock ‘n’ roll song “C’mon Everybody” is this week’s Song of the Week. “C’mon Everybody” was released in October 1958, backed with “Don’t Ever Let Me Go.” The summer of 1958 had been a turning point for Eddie with the success of the brilliant “Summertime Blues” and “C’mon Everybody” continued that momentum.

“C’mon Everybody” has one of the great rock ‘n’ roll intros, beginning with a driving solo electric bass line, which is then joined by drums and tambourine, and finally one of the most memorable guitar parts of the 1950s. This guitar part is picked up at the end of each verse and it is a key element in the song’s success.

The lyrics of “C’mon Everybody” are tailor made for the teen market, with the singer keen to shake off the frustrations of school work by having a party at his home while his parents are away. The production and instrumentation are so good that the lyrics are almost incidental and in fact the song began life with the entirely different title of “Let’s Get Together.” Eddie actually sang his vocal for “C’mon Everybody” over the final take of the backing for “Let’s Get Together.” This is the only lyrical difference between the two songs, but it was a wise modification as “C’mon Everybody” flows better and is a stronger rallying call. “Let’s Get Together” didn’t receive an official release until it appeared on the 1968 album “Cherished Memories.”

Eddie Cochran – “Let’s Get Together”

“C’mon Everybody” is regarded as not only one of Eddie Cochran’s best tracks, but also one of the finest recordings of the rock ‘n’ roll era. Rolling Stone listed the song at number 403 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Eddie Cochran – “C’mon Everybody”

Authorship

Eddie Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart co-wrote “C’mon Everybody.” The pair had previously collaborated on “Summertime Blues” and would subsequently write the great “Somethin’ Else” together.

Capehart has described the writing process as follows:

Recording date/location

“C’mon Everybody” was recorded at Goldstar Studio, Hollywood, CA on October 10, 1958.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on “C’mon Everybody”:

• Eddie Cochran – vocal, guitar, drum overdub
• Connie ‘Guybo’ Smith – electric bass
• Earl Palmer – drums
• Ray Johnson – piano.

It’s thought that the tambourine was played by Jerry Capehart.

Session drummer Earl Palmer had previously played on Cochran’s timeless single “Summertime Blues” and would subsequently play on the classic “Somethin’ Else.” The prolific drummer appeared on many classic tracks from artists such as Fats Domino (“I’m Walkin'”), Ritchie Valens (“La Bamba”), the Righteous Brothers (“You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’) and Ike and Tina Turner (“River Deep, Mountain High”).

Connie “Guybo” Smith was also part of Eddie’s Kelly Four backup band that he used for gigs.

Ray Johnson was a busy session pianist who also worked with artists such as Ricky Nelson (“Hello Mary Lou”), Nat King Cole (“Rambling Rose”) and Sam Cooke (“Another Saturday Night”).

Chart performance

“C’mon Everybody” peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 30, 1958.

The song did better in the UK, reaching number six on the singles chart. It also reached number 14 on the UK singles chart when re-released in 1988 following its use in a jeans commercial.

Notable covers

Humble Pie – “C’mon Everybody”

Steve Marriott led the way with a powerful vocal on Humble Pie’s lengthy blues-rock cover of “C’mon Everybody” in 1972. The band featured the song on their third album “Smokie” which was their first since the departure of Peter Frampton.

Led Zeppelin – “C’mon Everybody”

Led Zeppelin took an explosive hard rock approach to “C’mon Everybody” when they played it at the Royal Albert Hall on January 9, 1970. Robert Plant combines a Cochran-inspired vocal with some trademark screams, and the whole thing is entertaining enough, if a little disjointed in places.

Led Zeppelin’s performance of “C’mon Everybody” features on the “Led Zeppelin DVD” release, which includes performance spanning the years 1969 to 1990.

There will be a new Song of the Week on December 19.

“C’mon Everybody” is available on many Eddie Cochran compilations, including the 2-CD “C’mon Everybody” and the 4-CD box set “The Eddie Cochran Story.”

Title
C’mon Everybody (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Eddie Cochran Story (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now