The band personnel were drummer Jerry Allison, bassist Joe B. Mauldin, and rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan. Sullivan dropped out within less than two years of touring and recording. He wasn't comfortable with the amount of traveling and to a lesser extent, he didn't fit in with Jerry and Joe. For the same reason, Jerry and Joe were not backing Holly after he moved to NYC. The big move was the real reason why the Crickets broke up, but Holly was not daunted by the breakup; he gained a new back-up band with Tommy Allsup and Waylon Jennings on the tour shortly after the Crickets folded. But after about 4 months, due to fans' mail and the band feeling nostalgic, a reunion was planned to start with all the original Crickets after Holly's winter tour through the northern mid-west was completed. It was on that tour that Holly was killed in a plane crash.
Bo Diddley
Buddy Holly & The Crickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If that diamond ring don't shine
He gonna take it to a private eye
If that private eye can't see
He better not take that ring from me
Won't you come to my house back at home
Take a-my baby on away from home
Up to your house and gone again
Bo Diddley caught a fat cat
To make a-pretty baby a Sunday hat
Bo Diddley caught him a nanny goat
To make a pretty baby a Sunday coat
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley have you heard
My pretty baby says she wants a bird
The lyrics of the song โBo Diddleyโ by Buddy Holly & The Crickets describe a man, presumably in a relationship, buying a diamond ring for his significant other, but with the condition that if the ring doesnโt shine, he would take it to a private eye to investigate its authenticity. The man warns in the song that if anyone tries to take the ring away from him, they will face the consequences. The song calls out to Bo Diddley, mentioning how he caught a fat cat to make a Sunday hat and a nanny goat to make a Sunday coat for his pretty baby. Lastly, the singer of the song reveals that his significant other has requested a bird.
Line by Line Meaning
Bo Diddley buy baby a diamond ring
Bo Diddley is purchasing a diamond ring for his baby
If that diamond ring don't shine
If the diamond does not sparkle, there will be a problem
He gonna take it to a private eye
Bo Diddley will take the diamond to a detective
If that private eye can't see
If the detective cannot determine what is wrong, there is an issue
He better not take that ring from me
Bo Diddley will become upset if the detective takes the ring away from him
Won't you come to my house back at home
Come over to Bo Diddley's house
Take a-my baby on away from home
Bo Diddley wants someone to take his baby away from home
Love a-that photo, where ya been
Bo Diddley likes a photo and is asking someone where they have been
Up to your house and gone again
Someone visited Bo Diddley's house, but then left again
Bo Diddley caught a fat cat
Bo Diddley caught a wealthy person
To make a-pretty baby a Sunday hat
Bo Diddley will use the wealth to create an extravagant outfit for his baby
Bo Diddley caught him a nanny goat
Bo Diddley caught a goat that can be used for milk and/or wool
To make a pretty baby a Sunday coat
Bo Diddley will use the goat to make another item for his baby
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley have you heard
Bo Diddley is being addressed with a question
My pretty baby says she wants a bird
Someone's baby wants a bird and they are bringing it up in discussion with Bo Diddley
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ellas McDaniel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hollys Buddy
This is the overdubbed version with The Fireballs providing the extras. George Tomsco playing lead.
sunryse111
Thanks for that my friend.
Gary
Buddy had great taste in music! RIP Bo and Buddy...
sunryse111
More talent in his little finger than the majority of any of today's "stars".
Eric Patty
HE KILLED IT !!!!!!
Tiger Rogers
Love Buddy's version of this! He really did it justice! Nice one Victor! Cheers Tiger.
sunryse111
Yes, Tiger. Two men, each with a unique, individual style, each doing a superb job on this number.
Billy Angus
Now, this is the first time I've heard
Buddy Holly's cover of Bo Diddley's first big hit.
Ya' know Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly are
definitely jammin' on stage in Rock-N-Roll Heaven.
Personally, I'm not too fussy.๐
I dig both Bo Diddley's original and Buddy Holly's cover.
blue boy
If Bud's playing Bo, that's telling you something.
sunryse111
We all have our role models and mentors ....