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.
Valley of Tears
Buddy Holly & The Crickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where hearts have been broken with a kiss and a song
Spend the rest of my days without any cares
Ev'ry one understands me in the valley of tears.
Soft words have been
Ev'ry one understands me in the valley of tears.
I want you to spoken so sweet and low
Spend the rest of my days without any cares
Ev'ry one understands me in the valley of tears.
Soft words have been
Ev'ry one understands me in the valley of tears.
The lyrics of "Valley of Tears" tell a poignant story of heartbreak and the longing for a place where the pain is shared and understood. The singer expresses a desire to be taken to a place where hearts have been broken with a kiss and a song, which could be interpreted as a reference to a romantic relationship that has ended in tears. The valley of tears represents a place where the singer can feel understood and comforted by others who have also experienced heartbreak.
As the song progresses, the singer confesses that despite the sweet words spoken by the person they love, their mind is made up and they must move on. The final lines of the song reinforce the idea that the valley of tears is a place where the singer can find understanding and acceptance, even as they face the challenges of moving on from a painful relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Valley of Tears" are a testament to the power of music to express deep emotions and to connect people who share similar experiences of heartbreak and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you to take me where I belong
I want to be taken to a place where I fit, where I belong.
Where hearts have been broken with a kiss and a song
I want to go where love and music collide, where passion and heartbreak are intertwined.
Spend the rest of my days without any cares
I want to live out the rest of my life without worry or concern, without any cares or troubles.
Ev'ry one understands me in the valley of tears.
I feel understood in a place where sadness is present, where tears are shed and pain is felt.
Soft words have been spoken so sweet and low
Words of love and comfort have been spoken to me with tenderness and care.
But my mind is made up love has got to go
Despite the loving words, my decision has been made and love must end.
Spend the rest of my days without any cares
Once again, I long to live out the rest of my life without any worries or concerns.
Ev'ry one understands me in the valley of tears.
I feel a sense of understanding and empathy in a place where sorrow is present, where tears are shed and hearts are broken.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, ANTOINE DOMINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
moomin151
This is some sublime organ playing. Love Buddy Holly's work. R.I.P. my musical friend. You uplift my soul.
moomin151
@Kevin Gavigan thank you so much Kevin for all the wonderful info. I didn't know any of these facts. I adore the wonderful keyboard on this song. Its a great song and melody.
Kevin Gavigan
The organ is played by producer Norman Petty. Although he was better known for producing Buddy Holly's music (and co-writing many of Buddy Holly's original songs), Norman Petty was a very underrated keyboardist, and was actually a bandleader for a group called The Norman Petty Trio (where he played organ, his wife Vi Petty played piano in that same group, and most sources credit both musicians as having played their respective instruments on this recording). IDK if you knew it or not, but this is actually a cover of a Fats Domino song. I like Buddy Holly's version better tho. Although the recording is credited as a Buddy Holly solo performance, the lineup includes two other members of The Crickets accompanying Buddy Holly on vocals and guitar. These include Joe B. Mauldin on bass and Jerry Allison on drums. And of course, there's participation from two non-Crickets, including producer Norman Petty on organ and his wife Vi Petty on piano, both of whom were members of a group called The Norman Petty Trio, the trio's third member being Jack Vaughn, who played guitar.
Sticky Chicken Games
It's amazing to see, from the Wynonie Harris song to this, the spectacular change in song. In over just under 7 years too!
heather wells
Sounds great no matter who is singing or playing it!
Jerry Priessen
??? This was a Fats Domino original from 1957.
heather wells
This should be played at my funeral, " the day that'll be a hard one to predict yet all this world needs is a few more old men to stand up and play their old hearts need to spread old time love like the 59's.
juha vesanen
Such a heavenly sound and feeling in this tremendous song...! ❤️❤️❤️👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Sweep Ted
Great buddy
heather wells
This reminds me of my grandma Jackie wells ,"GUMMERT".