About the Song
The Everly Brothers’ “Wake Up Little Susie”: A Timeless Tale of Innocent Mischief
In the golden age of rock and roll, few duos captured the hearts of listeners quite like The Everly Brothers. Their close harmonies and youthful energy resonated with a generation coming of age in the 1950s. One of their most iconic and enduring hits, “Wake Up Little Susie,” is a prime example of their ability to tell a simple story with catchy melodies and just a hint of playful rebellion.
Released in 1957, “Wake Up Little Susie” became an instant chart-topper, despite its somewhat controversial subject matter for the time. The song narrates a lighthearted tale of two teenagers who fall asleep at a drive-in movie and wake up well past their curfew. While the lyrics never explicitly state anything untoward happened, the implication of a missed opportunity and the fear of parental disapproval is palpable.
The Everly Brothers’ signature harmonies shine through, creating a sense of both urgency and innocence. The song’s upbeat tempo and playful guitar riffs perfectly complement the narrative, making it an irresistible earworm that has stood the test of time.
Beyond its catchy tune, “Wake Up Little Susie” holds a deeper significance. It reflects the anxieties and aspirations of a generation navigating the complexities of adolescence. The song’s themes of missed opportunities, youthful indiscretions, and the fear of judgment resonated with teenagers then and continue to resonate with listeners today.
In a musical landscape often dominated by tales of heartbreak and rebellion, “Wake Up Little Susie” stands out as a charming and relatable story of youthful innocence and the universal experience of getting caught up in the moment. It’s a testament to The Everly Brothers’ ability to capture the essence of adolescence in a way that is both nostalgic and timeless.
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Video
Lyrics
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
We’ve both been sound asleep
Wake up little Susie and weep
The movie’s over, it’s four o’clock
And we’re in trouble deep
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, what are we gonna tell your Mama
What are we gonna tell your Pa?
What are we gonna tell our friends
When they say, “Ooh la la!”
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, I told your Mama that you’d be in by ten
Well, Susie baby, looks like we goofed again
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
We gotta go home
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
The movie wasn’t so hot
It didn’t have much of a plot
We fell asleep, our goose is cooked
Our reputation is shot
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, what are we gonna tell your Ma-ma
What are we gonna tell your Pa?
What are we gonna tell our friends
When they say, “Ooh la la!”
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie