What To Do
Buddy Holly Lyrics


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What to do now that she doesn't want me
That's what haunts me - what to do

What to do to keep from feeling lonely
Want her only - what to do

The record hops and all the happy times we had
The soda shop - the walks to school now make me sad, oh





What to do - I know my heartache's showing
Still not knowing - what to do

Overall Meaning

In the song "What to Do" by Buddy Holly, the lyrics narrate the feelings of a heartbroken person who doesn't know what to do after their lover has left them. The song is filled with conflicting emotions and complicated feelings, expressed through the singer's poignant voice. The first verse begins with the singer's exasperation at not knowing what to do in the wake of the breakup. The refrain "what to do" constantly repeats throughout the song, as the singer struggles to come to terms with the change in their life. The second verse describes the singer's longing for their lover and the fear of being lonely without them. The memories of happy times and places that the couple had shared together, now only serve to bring sadness, as the singer reminisces about lost love. The final verse indicates that the hurt is still fresh and raw, and the singer continues to be haunted by the same question, what to do.


The song is a classic example of Buddy Holly's timeless style and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple and relatable lyrics. The repetitive nature of the lyrics helps to emphasize the feelings of confusion and frustration that come with the end of a relationship. The song's melody is bittersweet, with a simple guitar riff and a sorrowful harmonica that perfectly complement the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

What to do now that she doesn't want me
The songwriter is haunted by the fact that his lover has left him, and he is unsure of what he should do next.


That's what haunts me - what to do
His current predicament is causing him distress and confusion.


What to do to keep from feeling lonely
The songwriter is struggling to find ways to cope with the loneliness he feels after the breakup.


Want her only - what to do
Despite the heartache, he still desires his lover and is unsure of how to deal with those feelings.


The record hops and all the happy times we had
The songwriter reminisces about the good times he spent with his lover, including attending record hops and hanging out at the soda shop.


The soda shop - the walks to school now make me sad, oh
While reflecting on their happy times, he also feels sadness knowing that those memories will now come with a tinge of bitter sweetness.


What to do - I know my heartache's showing
The songwriter is aware of how visibly devastated he appears, but doesn't know how to move forward despite this knowledge.


Still not knowing - what to do
Despite taking a critical look at his emotions and evaluating his actions, he is still unsure of what steps he should take.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FRANCIS DOMINIC NICHOLAS ROSSI, BOB YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Bluddy Brilliant

Buddy's best song and best version of it :-)

Drew Beck

This version sounds great with the background vocals.

Scott MacGillivray

This is the 1960 Coral record as overdubbed by Jack Hansen and studio musicians. Thank you, wz156m, for posting this... best quality I've heard on this one!

AutomotiveL3

The 'Original' is Buddy singing acoustic on the Greenwich tapes. but this does sound not too over produced, which happened a lot to to his post death releases.

Orlando Medina

JOYA CLÁSICA de HOLLY

Rob Jontay

This was produced AFTER Buddy died. The vocal was lifted from his NYC recorded Apartment tapes. Just him his acoustic and a reel to reel and mic. He technically never played on this....or Crying Waiting Hoping....

featherbrain

Is it not the case that Buddy accompanied himself on the Apartment Tapes? I have them - there is guitar. You mention acoustic so why do you say "never played"? Is his guitar not part of the finished recording?

Scotseasy

This sounds like the original version, yet with additions to it, such as the clearly audible piano playing. Still very nice.

Rob Jontay

You tube Apartment tapes by Buddy Holly. The songs here with just Buddy, an acoustic guitar and a reel to reel mic'd is so raw and beautiful.

peter avella

The added electric guitar is amazing and the piano backing. It’s a shame the technology in 1960 could not enhance Buddy’s voice like could be done today,Maybe it’s time to release it again but must keep that brilliant guitar playing in which I believe was Donald Arnone of Crying, Waiting, Hoping.

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