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".

I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down
Buddy Holly Lyrics

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[Chorus]
Well, you say you're mine
But baby you don't show it
You'd better fly right cause before you know it
I'm gonna set my foot right down on you

Gonna stop your struttin' baby 'til you say you're through
I'm gonna turn you around

And put you upside down
If that don't stop your runnin' around

[Chorus]

Ah well, you tell me this and you tell me that
How come your dog bites me instead of that other cat

[Chorus]

I'm gonna turn you around
And put you upside down
If that don't stop your slippin' around

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down by Buddy Holly is a classic rock and roll song with a strong message. The lyrics revolve around a relationship where the singer is frustrated with their partner's lack of commitment and loyalty. The chorus is the most repeated part of the song, and it's centered on the idea that the singer is going to take action and not let their partner continue to treat them poorly. They warn their partner that they better shape up or they'll be sorry.

The opening lines of the chorus make it clear that the singer is not feeling loved or appreciated in their relationship. They believe that their partner is not showing them enough affection or commitment. The second half of the chorus is a warning to their partner, telling them to change their ways before it's too late. The verses are focused on their partner's behavior: they're strutting and running around and being unfaithful. The singer is very direct in telling their partner that they don't like their behavior and that there will be consequences if it continues.

The final verse heightens the tension even further by introducing the idea of a third party - the partner's cat - and asking why the dog bites the singer instead of the cat. It's unclear whether this is a metaphor for something else, but it adds an element of confusion and betrayal to the story.

Overall, I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down is a cautionary tale about the importance of communication, honesty, and commitment in a relationship. The singer is tired of being mistreated and is ready to take action if their partner doesn't change their ways.

I'm Gonna Set My Foot DownBuddy Holly Lyrics

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I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down
Buddy Holly Lyrics