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".
Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie 'Flu
Buddy Holly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna holler but the joint's too small
Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
Call some other's baby that ain't all
I wanna kiss her but she's way too tall
Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too
I wanna squeeze her but I'm way too low
I would be runnin' but my feets too slow
Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
I wanna squeeze her but I'm way too low
I would be runnin' but my feet's too slow
Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
Baby comin' now I'm hurryin' home
I know she's leavin' cause I'm takin' too long
Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
In "Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie 'Flu," Buddy Holly describes the power of rhythm and how it takes hold of him, causing him to want to dance and move, despite physical limitations. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency, as Holly is trying to get to his loved one before she gives up and leaves him. The song is a classic example of the rock and roll genre, with its infectious beat and repetitive lyrics.
Holly's use of hyperbole in describing his desire to dance and embrace his lover adds to the playful and upbeat tone of the song. The juxtaposition of sickness and dance also adds an interesting layer to the lyrics. The song speaks to the universal experience of being moved by music, even in the face of physical limitations.
Overall, "Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie 'Flu" is a fun and energetic song that captures the spirit of rock and roll. Its catchy melody and simple yet effective lyrics make it a classic example of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna jump but I'm afraid I'll fall
I have a strong desire to move energetically, but I fear the consequences of doing so.
I wanna holler but the joint's too small
I have a strong desire to express myself vocally, but the environment I am currently in is not conducive to doing so.
Young man rhythm's got a hold of me too
I am under the spell of an irresistible musical rhythm.
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
I am experiencing a strong fever and emotional state induced by the infectious rhythms of rock and boogie woogie music.
Call some other's baby that ain't all
I am seeking out romantic companionship and physical contact, but I am not picky about who the partner is.
I wanna kiss her but she's way too tall
I desire to engage in romantic intimacy, but the physical differences between myself and the desired partner make it difficult.
I wanna squeeze her but I'm way too low
I have the desire to physically embrace and hold my partner, but my own physical limitations prevent me from doing so.
I would be runnin' but my feets too slow
I feel a strong desire to move quickly and urgently, but my own physical limitations prevent me from doing so effectively.
Baby comin' now I'm hurryin' home
My romantic partner is on their way to meet me, and I am rushing to get home in time to see them.
I know she's leavin' cause I'm takin' too long
I am aware that my delay in getting home may result in my romantic partner losing interest and leaving before I arrive.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HUEY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind