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 Love You
Buddy Holly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You set my heart on fire
Your eyes your lips and your smile
They make my life so worthwhile
You'll never know how much I love you
If you will be my own I will be true
You set my heart on fire
You'll never know how much I love you
If you will be my own I will be true
You are my one desire
You set my heart on fire
The song "That's My Desire" by Buddy Holly is a love song that expresses a deep passion for another person. The lyrics speak of the desire the singer has for their love interest, and the effect they have on their life. The first stanza begins with the declaration that the person is the singer's "one desire". The use of the word "one" emphasizes the intensity and exclusivity of the singer's feelings. The next line speaks of the physical attraction the person has for the singer, specifically their eyes, lips, and smile. These physical qualities are so captivating for the singer that their entire life is made more meaningful because of them. The repetition of the line "You set my heart on fire" throughout the song underscores the intensity of the passion.
The second stanza reiterates the depth of feeling the singer has for their love, and their commitment to being true if the love is returned. The phrase "You'll never know how much I love you" is repeated twice, emphasizing the difficulty in expressing the depth of emotion. This could suggest a sense of vulnerability, as the singer is unable to express their feelings verbally. The final lines once again assert that the person is the singer's "one desire", ending the song on the same note of intense passion.
Line by Line Meaning
You are my one desire
The person addressed in this song is the singular focus of the singer's passion and love.
You set my heart on fire
The singer is consumed by their love for this individual, to the point where they feel as though their heart is burning with passion.
Your eyes your lips and your smile
The physical features of this individual are alluring to the singer, and make them feel as though their life has purpose and meaning because of them.
They make my life so worthwhile
The love and affection of this individual brings joy and fulfillment to the singer's life.
You'll never know how much I love you
The depth of the singer's love for this individual is so intense that they fear they will never be able to fully express it.
If you will be my own I will be true
The singer is expressing their commitment to this individual, promising to be loyal and devoted to them if they reciprocate their feelings.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Don Guess
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathan Brockmeier
They say what you don't know - won't hurt you
And I believe that's so - so don't tell me
That you've found someone new
To go through life with you
Because I love you - my darling
My dearest - I love you
You're the one I want nearest me
I love you - and I hope that you love me too
I'd rather die thinking you love me
Than to go on through life without you
And you with someone new
To go through life with you
Because I love you - my darling
My dearest - I love you - I love you
You're the one I want nearest me
I love you - I love you - and I hope that you love me too
jack godwin
One of the greatest rock and roll ballads ever! A rare and shimmering gem from the Great One!!. . .thank you Buddy
D Doeser
R.I.P ONVERGETELIJK ❤🇳🇱🙏 ZATERDAG 22 OKTOBER JAAR 2022.TIJDSTIP QUA TIJDSTIP 14:53 UUR MIDDAGS .
James Riley
Buddy Holly continues to entertain and bring enjoyment to music fans as much now as when he lived. I believe his songs will be played and loved by persons for decades in the future and that he will influence many more generations. What greater testimony can there be to his talent?
Dana Froehlich
Couldn't be a better love song... The quiver in his voice tells the story.
Michael Stewart
What a voice! How come nobody can sing like that anymore?
Wesley Cook
They have tried because his voice seems easy to do. But his style of going from high to low throws his impersonater off. Tommy Roe, Bobby Vee and Robin Luke came close. Tommy's Sheila and Robin Luke's Susie Darlin are two examples. Bobby Fuller also came close. But no one in the 70s , 80s or onwards even tried.
Dexter Morgan
@Wesley Cooklet me guess they're all from the UK the people you're talkin about what is it with people from the UK being obsessed with Buddy Holly this is coming from a country boy from the south USA
Richard Neville
What an extraordinary talent was BH.....I haven't heard this simple little masterpiece for well over 40 years, but upon JUST playing this YT I was SO freshly 'moved'; it's ALMOST like hearing High Church music.....Ave Maria or a Bach cantata, and the blessed lad was ONLY 22yrs. & 149 days when he was stolen from us. Oh for 'pop' to have anything of this standard these days, but BH's era of romantic sincerity is a thing of the past, and humanity's GREAT Loss. RIP Charles Hardin Holley. Amen.
RColo74
I simply cannot stop listening to this song.
GodzillaMane
One of the best songs to play while on a road trip. Just looking out the window and just playing this in the car. It's so epic! R.I.P. Buddy!