He was born in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his siblings. His style was influenced by gospel music, country music, and rhythm and blues acts, and he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school. He made his first appearance on local television in 1952, and the following year he formed the group "Buddy and Bob" with his friend Bob Montgomery. In 1955, after opening for Elvis Presley, he decided to pursue a career in music. He opened for Presley three times that year; his band's style shifted from country and western to entirely rock and roll. In October that year, when he opened for Bill Haley & His Comets, he was spotted by Nashville scout Eddie Crandall, who helped him get a contract with Decca Records.
Holly's recording sessions at Decca were produced by Owen Bradley. Unhappy with Bradley's control in the studio and with the sound he achieved there, he went to producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico, and recorded a demo of "That'll Be the Day", among other songs. Petty became the band's manager and sent the demo to Brunswick Records, which released it as a single credited to "The Crickets", which became the name of Holly's band. In September 1957, as the band toured, "That'll Be the Day" topped the US "Best Sellers in Stores" chart and the UK Singles Chart. Its success was followed in October by another major hit, "Peggy Sue".
The album Chirping Crickets, released in November 1957, reached number five on the UK Albums Chart. Holly made his second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1958 and soon after, toured Australia and then the UK. In early 1959, he assembled a new band, consisting of future country music star Waylon Jennings (bass), famed session musician Tommy Allsup (guitar), and Carl Bunch (drums), and embarked on a tour of the midwestern U.S. After a show in Clear Lake, Iowa, he chartered an airplane to travel to his next show, in Moorhead, Minnesota. Soon after takeoff, the plane crashed, killing him, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and pilot Roger Peterson in a tragedy later referred to by Don McLean as "The Day the Music Died".
During his short career, Holly wrote, recorded, and produced his own material. He is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. He was a major influence on later popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Weezer, and Elton John. He was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of "100 Greatest Artists".
Baby I Don't Care
Buddy Holly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just want to go to a movie show, and sit their holdin' hands
You're so square, baby I don't care
I don't know why my heart blips, I only know it does
I wonder why I love you baby, I guess it's just because
You're so square, baby I don't care
I only know why I love you like I do, a-do, a-do, a-do
I don't know why my heart blips, I only know it does
I wonder why I love you baby, I guess it's just because
You're so square, baby I don't care
I don't know why my heart blips, I only know it does
I wonder why I love you baby, I guess it's just because
You're so square, baby I don't care
Baby I don't care
Baby I don't care, care care, care care
In Buddy Holly's song "You're So Square," Holly describes his lover as someone who is not interested in wild music and prefers a quiet night out at the movies. Despite their differing tastes in music and entertainment, Holly is devoted to his lover and doesn't care that they are "square." He wonders why his heart beats for this person, and ultimately concludes that he loves them just because.
The lyrics of this song are simple yet effective in conveying Holly's message of love and devotion. By contrasting the lover's preference for quiet outings with Holly's own love for rock music, he highlights the differences between them. However, the repetition of the phrase "baby I don't care" emphasizes Holly's love and acceptance of his partner, even if they are not the same.
Overall, "You're So Square" is a sweet, upbeat love song that celebrates the differences between people in a healthy and accepting manner.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't like crazy music, you don't like rockin' bands
You are not fond of music that is wild and frenetic, and you are not a fan of bands that play loud, energetic music.
You just want to go to a movie show, and sit their holdin' hands
Your idea of a good time is simply going to the cinema and cuddling with your partner.
You're so square, baby I don't care
You are a conventional and old-fashioned person, but I do not mind that about you.
I don't know why my heart blips, I only know it does
I cannot explain the way my heart races whenever I am with you, but I know that it does.
I wonder why I love you baby, I guess it's just because
I am curious as to why I am drawn to you, but ultimately, I think it is simply a matter of my heart being captivated by you.
You don't know any dance steps, but I do-a-hoo-hoo
You are not familiar with many dance moves, but I am skilled in that area.
I only know why I love you like I do, a-do, a-do, a-do
I may not be able to explain precisely why I feel so strongly for you, but I know that my love for you is real.
Baby I don't care
Regardless of your quirks or unusual traits, I love you just the way you are.
Baby I don't care, care care, care care
I truly mean it when I say that your idiosyncrasies do not bother me at all.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Appalachian Outcast
An interesting fact:
look almost just like him. I’m from Texas, have a bit of a similar voice, and play guitar and some other instruments. I remember singing a while ago and my parents and everybody said I reminded them of Buddy Holly. Then my parents looked at my family tree. There he was. On my family tree. I’m also same religion as him. I’m a baptist he was too. And I realized that my father looked like buddy too. I am happy to be related to him. I impersonate him
Some information about Buddy Holly:
Buddy Holly was only 22 when he died and sang since he was around 13. He was in a country and western duo with bob Montgomery for a while then he joined the crickets in late 1957. They had good songs together, such as, Oh Boy!, Peggy Sue, That’ll be the day, Everyday, and words of love. He was no doubt great at a lot. I don’t like him because he’s my relative, I like him because he has talent. I was a fan of him before I figured out I was related to him. But his band was mainly friends but he had his 3rd cousin by marriage join. Niki Sullivan was in there but then quit because he wasn’t a fan of the traveling. Then it was stuck with Buddy Holly, Joe B Mauldin, and Jerry Allison. Then the crickets got in a argument because Buddy wanted to record in New York. But Jerry and joe wanted to stay in Clovis New Mexico. Also Joe and Jerry were drinking a little bit. Then Buddy on a tour that took his life along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Maria Elena Holly had a miscarriage and lost the baby. She was devastated and she never remarried again. February 3rd 1959 was then nicknamed The Day The Music Died. And there is some theories that Buddy shot The Big Bopper but there was no way it was possible for Buddy, Ritchie, or The Big Bopper to live. The last thing I want to say is....
R.I.P
ocduff
I love how lots of people consider Buddy Holly a "simple" guitar player - until they try and play what he did! The guitar/instru break here is a masterpiece - sheesh, just try and tap your finger as fast as he's playing those downstrokes!
Hard Lines
No it isn't. Really it isn't.
Susie196921
Buddy was such a big fan of Elvis - that it's no wonder he tries to sound like him in this recording! Of course, anything that Buddy sings is awesome!
AreuOkay
He knew him before he became big actually 🤓🤠
Cal Greg
Buddy was light years ahead of everybody. It’s Buddy who influenced the next generation far more than Elvis.. Elvis was great but Buddy is the greatest..such natural talent..
Rock 'N' Roll
Buddy Holly is one of/if not the best artists/musicians I've ever heard in my life. He had so much talent and was way ahead of his time. I personally think he was superior to all of the other singers during that time, even though they were great as well. I would give just about anything to see and hear him perform again. Continue to rest in peace Buddy. (1936 - 1959). We all miss you! You and your musical talent will always live on and will always be remembered. Rave on Buddy! :)
Victoria Fain
He'll be back!!!
Charlakay Texas
Again! You heard him in person before? Oh if you did!! ❤ love to you.....but surely I misunderstood
Lol I do that all the time
Luna L
Artists like Bobby Darin were up there with him, but I agree. The best of the best.
Kevin Casson
He is frightening that good !! He really was, and still is!