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".
Ready Teddy
Buddy Holly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a gal that I love so
[Chorus]
I'm ready, ready ready Teddy
I'm ready, ready ready Teddy
I'm ready, ready ready Teddy
I'm ready ready ready to rock 'n' roll
All the flat top cats and all the dungaree doll
Are headed for the gym to the sock hop ball
The joint is really jumping, the cats are going wild
The music really sends me, I dig that crazy styles
[Chorus]
Oh well, I'm going to the corner, pick up my sweetie pie
She's my rock 'n' roll baby, she's the apple of my eye
[Chorus]
I'm gonna pull off my shoes, roll up my faded jeans
Cause my rock 'n' roll baby coming on the scene
Shuffle to the left, I shuffle to the right
Gonna rock and roll 'til the early early night
[Chorus]
The song Ready Teddy by Buddy Holly is an upbeat and energetic rock and roll tune that celebrates the excitement and joy of going out to dance with a loved one. The lyrics describe the singer's eagerness to hit the dance floor with his girlfriend and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the gym's sock hop ball. The chorus repeats multiple times, highlighting the singer's readiness and eagerness to rock and roll with his beloved.
The lyrics are full of cultural references that capture the essence of rock and roll in the 1950s. Words like "flat top cats" and "dungaree doll" reflect the fashion of the time, while the mention of a "sock hop ball" represents a type of dance popular in high school gymnasiums. The singer's excitement is palpable as he describes the wild and crazy styles of music that he loves.
The final verse of the song is a call to action, encouraging the listener to join in the fun and dance the night away. The line "gonna rock and roll 'til the early early night" is a perfect summation of the carefree and energetic spirit of the song. Overall, Ready Teddy is an ode to the love of rock and roll and the joy of dancing with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Ready, set, go man go
I am excited and ready to start the fun and energetic night of rock and roll music and dancing.
I got a gal that I love so
I have a girlfriend whom I care for deeply, and I am looking forward to spending the night with her.
I'm ready, ready, ready Teddy
I am fully prepared and enthusiastic to enjoy the rock and roll music and culture of the night.
I'm ready ready ready Teddy
I am eager and primed to have a great time in this lively atmosphere.
I'm ready, ready, ready Teddy
I am fuelled up and raring to participate in the exciting evening of music and dancing.
I'm ready ready ready to rock 'n' roll
I am amped up and prepared for a wild and enjoyable time of rock and roll.
All the flat top cats and all the dungaree doll
People of all ages and styles, with flat tops or wearing dungarees, are on their way to the dance party.
Are headed for the gym to the sock hop ball
They are heading to the gymnasium where the party will take place, which is a type of dance party called a sock hop.
The joint is really jumping, the cats are going wild
The party is in full swing with excitement, and the people there are having a great time.
The music really sends me, I dig that crazy style
I really enjoy the music and the unique, wild style of the rock and roll genre.
Oh well, I'm going to the corner, pick up my sweetie pie
I am heading to meet my girlfriend who I cherish dearly.
She's my rock 'n' roll baby, she's the apple of my eye
My girlfriend loves rock and roll, and she is the most important person to me.
I'm gonna pull off my shoes, roll up my faded jeans
I am going to remove my shoes and roll up my old jeans to be more comfortable and fit in with the rock and roll fashion.
Cause my rock 'n' roll baby coming on the scene
I want to look and feel my best for my girlfriend and enjoy the music with her.
Shuffle to the left, I shuffle to the right
I am dancing and moving my feet side-to-side in rhythm with the music.
Gonna rock and roll 'til the early early night
I am going to dance and enjoy the night of rock and roll and have as much fun as possible.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO, Broma 16
Written by: Robert Douglas Blackwell, John S. Marascalco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrEsfranck
This is definitely the greatest version of this song I ever have heard. Buddy Holly was one of the greatest Rock’n’Rollers of the 1950s.
Brother D
So many people are used to Buddy doing his whisper into a hiccup sound. Way before his time, he was a great musician.
Roland Boss
I bet he was hoarse after screaming his way through this. Absolutely brilliant. Better than little Richard's and his was outstanding. Thanks for uploading
ALLNEWSUX
This is the hardest version of this song ever! I don't care if Motorhead or Megadeth did a version...this would still be more hardcore!!!
Przemysł Pałubicki
Elvis and Little Richard versions are very good too.
Edp445.2.0
Przemysł Pałubicki this is the bst version hes very fired up during tje sing
Przemysł Pałubicki
@Edp445.2.0 yup, in fact You right, but Elvis did it very good too.
Social Cancer Records
Punk of the 50’s!
Enrique8314
Esta version es la Mejor de este tema en la voz de Buddy Holly. La forma en que la canta es más contagiosa.
John Smith
These 50's artists had some energy in them. Fast, but the lyrics actually had meaning.