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".
Midnight Shift
Buddy Holly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause Annie's been a-working on a midnight shift
If Annie puts her hair up on her head
Paints them lips up bright, bright red
Wears that dress that fits real tight
Starts staying out 'til the middle of the night
Says that a friend gave her a lift
If she acts a little funny, seems a little strange
Starts spending your money for brand new things
Tells you that she wants to use the car
Never explains what she wants it for
Brother, there just ain't no "ifs"
Cause Annie's been working on a midnight shift
Early in the morning when the sun comes up
You look at old Annie and she looks kinda rough
You tell her "honey, get on out of that bed"
She says "leave me alone, I'm just about dead"
Brother, there just ain't no "ifs"
Cause Annie's been working on a midnight shift
If you got a good mama that's staying at home
You'd better enjoy it, 'cause it won't last long
When you think everything's all right
She starts slipping round in the middle of the night
Brother, there just ain't no "ifs"
Cause Annie's been working on a midnight shift
The song "Midnight Shift" by Buddy Holly is a cautionary tale about a woman named Annie who works the night shift. The lyrics describe how Annie's appearance and behavior change as a result of her job, and how her partner is suspicious of her nighttime activities.
The first verse encourages people to give Annie a lift if they see her, implying that she is too tired to make it home on her own after working all night. The second verse describes how Annie puts effort into her appearance before going to work, possibly to impress someone she's met on the job. The third verse warns that Annie may start spending money on new things or using her partner's car without explanation. The final verse suggests that Annie's job is taking a toll on her health and well-being, as she struggles to get out of bed in the morning.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the impact of shift work on people's lives and relationships. It highlights the challenges of working at odd hours and the strain it can put on personal connections, as well as the toll it can take on physical and emotional health.
Line by Line Meaning
If you see old Annie better give her a lift
If you come across Annie, give her a ride.
Cause Annie's been a-working on a midnight shift
Annie's been working the night shift at work.
If Annie puts her hair up on her head
If Annie ties her hair up.
Paints them lips up bright, bright red
If Annie applies red lipstick.
Wears that dress that fits real tight
If Annie wears a tight dress.
Starts staying out 'til the middle of the night
If Annie stays out until the middle of the night.
Says that a friend gave her a lift
If Annie claims that a friend dropped her off.
Well, Annie's been working on a midnight shift
Annie's been working overnight at work.
If she acts a little funny, seems a little strange
If Annie begins to act strangely.
Starts spending your money for brand new things
If Annie starts using your money to buy new items.
Tells you that she wants to use the car
If Annie asks to use the car.
Never explains what she wants it for
If Annie doesn't provide a reason for borrowing the car.
Brother, there just ain't no "ifs"
There is no room for doubt.
Cause Annie's been working on a midnight shift
Annie has been working the night shift at work.
Early in the morning when the sun comes up
When the sun rises early in the morning.
You look at old Annie and she looks kinda rough
When you see Annie, she doesn't look so great.
You tell her "honey, get on out of that bed"
You try to get Annie to leave her bed.
She says "leave me alone, I'm just about dead"
Annie asks to be left alone because she's tired.
If you got a good mama that's staying at home
If you have a mother who stays at home.
You'd better enjoy it, 'cause it won't last long
Enjoy it while it lasts because it won't be forever.
When you think everything's all right
When everything seems okay.
She starts slipping round in the middle of the night
Annie begins sneaking around during the night.
Brother, there just ain't no "ifs"
There is no room for doubt.
Cause Annie's been working on a midnight shift
Annie has been working the night shift at work.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EARL LEE, JIMMIE AINSWORTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Well, if you see old Annie, better give her a lift
Cause Annie’s been a workin on a midnight 🕛 shift
If Annie puts her hair up on her head
Paints them lips 👄 up bright, bright red
Wears that dress 👗 that fits real tight
Starts stayin out Til the middle of the night
Says that a friend gave her a lift
Well, Annie’s been a workin on a midnight 🕛 shift
If she acts a little funny 😁 seems a little strange
Starts spendin your money 💰 for brand new things
Tells you that she wants to use the car 🚘
Never explains what she wants if for
Brother, there just ain’t no ifs
Cause Annie’s been a workin on a midnight 🕛 shift
Well, early in the morning when the sun ☀️ comes up
You look 👀 at old Annie and she looks kinda rough
You tell her “honey, get on out of that bed 🛌”
She says, “leave me alone I’m just about dead 💀 “
Brother, there just ain’t no ifs
Cause Annie’s been a workin on a midnight 🕛 shift
If you got a good mama that’s stayin at home 🏠
You’d better enjoy 😉 it cause it won’t last long
When you think 💭 everything’s alright
She starts slippin round in the middle of the night
Brother, there just ain’t no ifs
Cause Annie’s been a workin on a midnight 🕛 shift
N/A
thank you buddy holly your music is something to live by.
koko 17
Why is it Buddy Holly's music just makes you feel great all over? What a talent!!!!! Gone far too soon at 22. Thanks for your gift Buddy!!
Paul Forder
'Midnight Shift' could mean: 50s slang for prostitution; 'slipping 'round' means Annie's cheating on her husband.
Holly's music conveys so much meaning, though he never lived to explain the ideas behind his songs. They still sound superb even today. 🤓🤓🎸🎸🎸🇬🇧
AJSmith
That guitar solo man both solos brilliant pure and crisp and sharp in fact 3 guitar solos
Susan Edrington
One of my favorite songs. ❤
Susan Edrington
The best of of Buddy Holly.
willie otoole
I was 13 or 14 when this was released in the UK after Buddy had been killed. We had all his singles (couldn't afford the LP) Peggy Sue, Rave On, Looking For Someone To Love, Think It Over, etc but this was different - TexMex I think they used to call it.
It had Ollie Vee on the other side and was my most treasured possession after Elvis' Baby Let's Play House. Over half a century later it sounds just as good... maybe even better. His death hit us very hard - it seemed the world would never be the same again. And it never was.
Julian Torres
willie otoole buddy wasnt killed
WestCoastReign
Soooo he faked his death, along with everyone else in the plane with him?
Daril Caldwell
I think what Jules is saying is the music the levy didn't dry because buddy holly lives Everytime we play rock n roll buddy's memory lives on