Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Budd… Read Full Bio ↴Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock.

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".

Don't Come Back Knockin'
Buddy Holly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I found that you're a rover and it's made me blue
Like a talent scout you want a love that's new
Don't come back knockin', at my heart's closed door
Or I won't be home, don't call and knock no more
When you went away and left me all alone
While you played around, I waited at home
Don't come back knockin', at my heart's closed door
Or I won't be home, don't call and knock no more

You had all my heart, was your very own
You weren't satisfied, now I'll go on alone
Don't come back knockin', at my heart's closed door
Or I won't be home, don't call and knock no more
Pity those with hearts so empty and cold
To never know true love, a treasure to hold

Don't come back knockin', at my heart's closed door
Or I won't be home, don't call and knock no more

Overall Meaning

In Buddy Holly's song Don't Come Back Knockin', the artist is expressing his hurt and frustration towards his lover's wandering tendencies. The opening lines indicate that the lover is someone who cannot stay devoted to one partner, and this has caused Holly to feel sad and disheartened. The analogy of a talent scout in the second line refers to someone constantly searching for new talent, and in this case, a new love interest.

The chorus repeatedly warns the lover not to try and return to Holly's life as he has already closed the door on their relationship. He also warns against calling and knocking on his door, essentially telling the lover that there is no longer any room for them in his life.

The fourth verse is especially telling as Holly explains how his lover left him alone at home while she went off and played around. The lyrics indicate that Holly was always waiting for his lover to return, suggesting that he made an effort to keep the relationship going despite her infidelity. However, he has now reached a breaking point and has shut her out of his life.

Overall, Don't Come Back Knockin' is a song that speaks to the pain of unrequited love and unfulfilled expectations. Holly's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship where they have given their all only to be left with a broken heart.

Line by Line Meaning

I found that you're a rover and it's made me blue
I discovered that you're a wanderer who can't commit, and it has made me sad

Like a talent scout you want a love that's new
You're always looking for the next best thing when it comes to love, like a scout searching for new talent

Don't Come Back Knockin'Buddy Holly Lyrics

Don't Come Back Knockin'
Buddy Holly Lyrics