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.
Gone
Buddy Holly & The Crickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the sun, the moon, the stars in the sky
know the reason why I cry
I know I'm wrong - I'm all alone
now you're gone
Oh, what I've give
for the lifetime I've wasted
I'm all alone - I know I'm wrong
now you're gone
The lyrics to Buddy Holly & The Crickets's song "Gone" express the grief and loneliness experienced by the singer after the loss of a loved one. The opening line, "Now you're gone," sets the tone for the entire song. The singer is alone and mourning the absence of someone who was very important to them. The following lines, "the sun, the moon, the stars in the sky/know the reason why I cry," suggest that the singer's sorrow is so great that nature itself seems to be aware of it.
The verse "I know I'm wrong - I'm all alone/now you're gone" speaks to the regret and self-blame that the singer is experiencing. They may feel that they did something that caused the loss of their loved one, or they may simply feel guilty for not having done enough to keep them in their life. Regardless of the cause, the singer is left feeling isolated and heartbroken.
The second verse, "Oh, what I'd give/for the lifetime I've wasted/the love that I've tasted/I'm all alone - I know I'm wrong/now you're gone" reinforces the singer's feelings of regret and longing. They realize how much they took for granted and how little they appreciated the time they had with their loved one. The chorus repeats, driving home the fact that the singer is now alone and grieving.
Overall, "Gone" is a poignant song that speaks to the universal experience of loss and regret. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and the melody and instrumentation complement them perfectly. It is a testament to Buddy Holly's talent as a songwriter and musician, and it remains a beloved classic to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you're gone
The absence of your presence has stirred deep emotion, leaving a void where your love once resided.
The sun, the moon, the stars in the sky know the reason why I cry
The universe bears witness to my inconsolable grief, aware of the loss I feel and the tears that I shed.
I know I'm wrong - I'm all alone now you're gone
I recognize my mistakes and shortcomings, but without you, I am forced to confront my loneliness and regrets.
Oh, what I've give for the lifetime I've wasted
I wish I could go back in time and make different choices, as I now realize how precious our time together was.
The love that I've tasted I'm all alone - I know I'm wrong now you're gone
The joy of experiencing your love has left a bitter aftertaste, now that you are no longer here. I am alone with my guilt and regret.
Contributed by Evan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.