Wake Up Little Susie

Clearly a lot of people thought it was about sex, or it wouldn't have been banned.

Back then it was all about 'saying it without really saying it'. That was the fun part- did they have sex, or didn't they?

The point is that they could have- that's why it's so funny.

"LoL Bush thinks that Buddy Holly sung this song? I have to quote from my favorite movie on this one, "I reserve the right to be ignorant. That's the Western way of life" (Lol)" Hey Crystal Light from Elizabeth!! Let me guess the movie: "Farenheit 9/11"? Figures a brainless twat like you would be a Michale Moore fan.

This song had NOTHING to do with adultery, fornication, or politics. In 57 we didn't automatically think garbage thoughts back then like people do today. When the song came out no one thought it was about some couple having sex. It certainly should not have been banned. Maybe not the best of the Everly Bros, but many moons have past since then. Get over it

Before "Elizabeth of Athens,GA" tells people they are not nearly as smart as they think, perhaps she should get her facts straight --- when Bush made the gaffe, the press were quick to pick it up and verify Holly NEVER recorded the song. It was written in 1957, and on the charts late that year; Holly died Feb, 1959 -- a little more than a year later. When exactly did he record it, Elizabeth? Maybe Elizabeth could post a link to the Buddy Holly recording she asserts exists.

In 1953 in Miami FL my young sister Suzie and her boyfriend, Kenny (he traveled with the horse race circuit and was down from NJ) fell asleep at the drive-in theater. They woke up at 2A and were scared and upset about what they were going to tell our parents and their friends. He actually did say, what are we going to tell your mom? This song has to be about them. Kenny knew lots of famous jockeys who knew lots of other famous people. They did not have sex so relax, ok? Sleeping means sleeping in this case.

not much of a song in my opinion, but it WAS the start of that Everly Bros. sound we all love..

A lady tells me that the person who wrote "Wake Up Little Suzie is now a priest at the Catholic church in Tickfaw, Louisiana. Can anyone verify this/ I'll try to get his name to see if it matches the name given (Boudleaux Bryant)

I'm just so thankful that I have a life and can come to a site that discusses music and song meanings without having to figure out a way to turn it into a soap box for my own political discussions. I find most people who do this simply vomit back what the media tells them and aren't able to think for themselves.
This song has absolutely NOTHING to do with any political issue. Grow up!

the greatful dead did a nice acoustic cover of little susie on the album "bears choice". i can't believe people are so fixated on bush that they would waste their time discussing him on a music site. geeeeez get over it. think about the music, okey dokey, honest john

Elizabeth, Athens, GA wrote that "Wake Up Little Susie" was indeed recorded by Buddy Holly. I can find no references or documentation to this. Does anyone?

Hmm. This came out in 1957, which probably explains why I heard/saw it on the Hit Parade on TV. This was a popular network TV show--probably live--on which the top songs were sung and acted out by a resident cast. It's easiest to think of the show as a weekly group of music videos.

They did this one for several weeks (the skit for a specific song was different every week.) In the one I saw, there they were, the two of them, waking up (widely separated) in a 1950's sort of car, I think with some sort of clock in the background. They bemoaned their fate. Nobody thought anything of it--it was just another popular song.

~ but but but...
the lyrics are ambiguous.
the part about the movie not being so hot and didn't have much of a plot, etc., MIGHT be, if you listen literally, the "story" they're making up to tell Susie's parents. it's no gimme that they're actually IN a movie theater or Drive-In.
unless one of the Everly's has revealed as much to be the case.

Like the great Johnny Cash said, "If you have political convictions keep them to yourself".

Who could possibly have anything against fornication?

None of you are nearly as smart as you think you are. Buddy Holly also did a recording of this song. I'm not a Bush fan myself, but get your facts straight before you start bashing him.

Donald, I would say they didn't screw, but they're afraid everyone will think they did, because people are so cynical and distrustful, including, apparently (unless you're joking) YOU. This song is amazing in how it reflects the coming changes in sexual mores (probably mostly due to The Pill) from such a sweet and innocent point of view. Aw, so what if they DID do it...

LoL Bush thinks that Buddy Holly sung this song?
I have to quote from my favorite movie on this one,
"I reserve the right to be ignorant. That's the Western way of life" (Lol)

p.s.
These lyrics were not about two kids sleeping together......they fell asleep at the drive in while watching a boring flick...and they weren't necessarily making up a story....it just says..."What are we going to tell ..........etc, etc.......Nena

The Who released a song called"I can see for miles" which sounds almost identical to the intro of "Wake up little Susie"

This song was a bit controversial. It's about Susie sleeping with her boyfriend. Don't you think it's obvious. What are going to tell our mama, our papa and our friends when they say oohlala. This song should have been banned. We have too much adultery going on in the world. This song actually promotes adultery and fornication.

It says up there that George W. Bush said this song was by Buddy Holly, not The Everly Brothers.

Being anti-Bush, that cracks me up.