Wake up Little Susie – The Everly Brothers
Did you now?
Wake up Little Susie is one of the most iconic songs of the rock and roll era, performed by the legendary duo of The Everly Brothers. The song was released in 1957 as a single and became a number one hit in the US and Canada. It also reached the top ten in several other countries, including the UK and Australia.
The song tells the story of a young couple who fall asleep at the movies and wake up at four in the morning, long after their curfew. They worry about what their parents and friends will think of them, and how they will explain their situation. The song captures the innocence and anxiety of teenage romance in the 1950s, as well as the rebellious spirit of rock and roll.
The song was written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, who also wrote many other hits for The Everly Brothers, such as Bye Bye Love and All I Have to Do Is Dream. The Bryants were inspired by a newspaper headline that read “Wake up Little Susie is Dead”, which referred to a pet poodle that had been killed by a car. They changed the name to Susie and imagined a different scenario for the song.
The song was controversial at the time of its release, as some radio stations banned it for implying sexual misconduct. However, the song was also praised for its catchy melody, clever lyrics, and harmonious vocals by The Everly Brothers. The song influenced many other artists, such as The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Beach Boys, who admired the style and sound of The Everly Brothers.
Wake up Little Susie is a classic example of how rock and roll music challenged the norms and values of society, while also expressing the emotions and experiences of young people. The song remains popular and relevant today, as it reflects the universal themes of love, fear, and hope.
