About the song
“Wake Up Little Susie” is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of music lovers for generations. Written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1957, this iconic song has become synonymous with the Everly Brothers, who recorded it for Cadence Records. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its catchy melody, memorable lyrics, and the harmonious vocals of Don and Phil Everly.
The song’s premise is simple yet relatable: a high school boy takes his girlfriend, Susie, to the cinema, but they fall asleep during the movie and don’t wake up until 4 o’clock in the morning, well after her 10 o’clock curfew. The boy is worried about the consequences of their late-night escapade, fearing that they’ve both lost their good reputations. This theme of youthful rebellion and the consequences of breaking the rules resonated with listeners in the 1950s and continues to do so today.
The Everly Brothers’ recording of “Wake Up Little Susie” was a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Pop chart and the Cash Box Best Selling Records chart. Despite being banned from Boston radio stations due to its suggestive lyrics, the song’s popularity endured, spending seven weeks at the top of the Billboard country chart and reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s impact was further solidified when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017.
The song’s personnel is equally impressive, with Don Everly handling vocals and rhythm guitar, Phil Everly providing vocals and rhythm guitar, and Floyd “Lightnin’ Chance” on double bass. The Everly Brothers’ harmonious vocals and the song’s catchy melody have made “Wake Up Little Susie” a beloved classic that continues to delight audiences to this day.
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 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
Wake up, little Susi