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".
That's My Desire
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
@Cherie1215
I just came across this. Buddy is my absolute favorite. He is "The King" in my heart and mind. I love this song, especially since he says my name in it! Thanks for posting this! :-)
@alanhfrank
Simply wonderful...Buddy Holly will always be #1. So many have done this song, starting with Frankie Lane, Dion, The Channels, and more.
@frosty7530
This is so perfect. I had no idea Buddy did it. Seeing that young man, I was 10 yrs old & just starting to RnR; when his plane crashed; -- seeing him made me teary. So young. Very touching. Thank you!
@faustus999
this is so under played. its a beautiful version (the best ) buddy holly - genius
@colkidglen8802
Buddy was such a talent, its too bad he had so little time. He does a great job on this song. The movie Buddy Holly is pretty good. I bought his first single and several of the later song. "That Well be the day" was on Brunswick, most of the rest were Coral.
Not long after he died, i was working in a grocery after school, they played popular music
on the speaker system.
It played " Raining in My Heart" a poignant moment.
@faustus999
what a sublime song this is. one of the great buddy songs
@megasuggs
I have this track on a single, it is on the Coral lable with Maybe Baby on the flipside, not the origional by the Crickets, but just by Buddy on his own, it was relaesed in England in the early 1960s. Thanks for all your Buddy and Everlys stuff you have great musical taste.
@TomClarkSouthLondon
PURE CLASS! . . . . .love it!
@Brown86Eyes
And another song that I never heard before, of this great man!
@62M.St.
wow-didn't know Buddy did this-very kool audio/video. I've never seen live shots of him like this-excellent! I do a humble tribute version of "Rave On." Regards, '62 Mathew St. (Total Retro Rock).