Song development
Rivers Cuomo has stated in one of his MySpace blogs from 2006 that he remembers questioning whether or not to include this song on The Blue Album. He almost kept it off the final track list, but encouragement from producer Ric Ocasek soon changed his mind. In the book 'River's Edge', Ocasek is quoted as saying, "I remember at one point he was hesitant to do 'Buddy Holly' and I was like, 'Rivers, we can talk about it. Do it anyway, and if you don't like it when it's done, we won't use it. But I think you should try. You did write it and it is a great song.'" Cuomo said that he felt the song was "too cheesy" and didn't know if the song represented the sound he was going for with the band's music. Matt Sharp recalls:
...Ric said we'd be stupid to leave it off the album. We'd come into the studio in the morning and find little pieces of paper with doodles on them: WE WANT BUDDY HOLLY.
Cuomo has since concluded that he is glad that he didn't change his mind about the song because it is one of his favorite songs to play and sing live. Furthermore, it has proved to be one of Weezer's most successful singles and a song that is very much enjoyed live.
An early demo of "Buddy Holly" recorded by Cuomo in 1993 has a different feel, as the song is played at a much slower tempo than the version that appears on the album. This version appeared on Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo. The liner notes for Alone explain that the chorus, in its most primitive form, originally was sung as: "Oo-wee-oo you look just like Ginger Rogers/Oh, oh, I move just like Fred Astaire," the rest of the chorus the way it appears even in the Blue Album version.
The music video for "Buddy Holly" was directed by Spike Jonze and filmed at Charlie Chaplin Studios in Hollywood over the course of one full day of shooting.
The video portrayed Weezer performing at the original Arnold's Drive-In diner from the popular '70s television show Happy Days. The video combined contemporary footage of the band with clips from the show. Happy Days cast member Al Molinaro made a cameo appearance in the video. Al plugs his hometown, Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the introduction. In the memorable climax, editing and a stunt double allowed Fonzie to dance to the band's performance. The video also features brief cameos by some members of the band as dancers at Arnold's. Initially, actor Anson Williams, who played Potsie on Happy Days, objected to footage of him appearing in the video, but relented after a letter from David Geffen, founder of Geffen Records.
The video was met with great popularity and heavy rotation on MTV. The innovative video scored four awards at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, including prizes for Breakthrough Video and Best Alternative Video.
The "Buddy Holly" music video became so popular that it was included on the Microsoft Windows 95 CD-ROM when the operating system was first released.
Track Listings
Promo Only Radio Single
1. "Buddy Holly "- 2:40
UK Retail CD
1. "Buddy Holly" - 2:40
2. "My Name Is Jonas" (Live) - 3:40
3. "Surf Wax America" (Live) - 4:09
4. "Jamie" - 4:18
UK Retail Cassette/UK Retail 7" Single (Black Vinyl)
1. "Buddy Holly" - 2:40
2. "Jamie" - 4:18
Australian Retail CD
1. "Buddy Holly" - 2:40
2. "Holiday"
Dutch Retail CD
1. "Buddy Holly" - 2:40
2. "Surf Wax America" (Live) - 4:09
Live tracks recorded at Horizontal Boogie Bar, Rochester, NY on November 27, 1994.
Chart positions
UK Singles Chart: 12
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay: 18
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks: 36
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks: 2
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream: 17
Buddy Holly
Weezer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do they gotta front?
What did we ever do to these guys
That made them so violent?
(Ooh ooh) But you know I'm yours
(Ooh ooh) And I know you're mine
(Ooh ooh) And that's for all of time
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that
Don't you ever fear, I'm always near
I know that you need help
Your tongue is twisted, your eyes are slit
You need a guardian
(Ooh ooh) And you know I'm yours
(Ooh ooh) And I know you're mine
(Ooh ooh) And that's for all of time
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
Bang bang knockin' on the door
Another bang bang get down on the floor
Oh no, what do we do?
Don't look now but I lost my shoe
I can't run and I can't kick
Whatsa matter babe, are you feelin' sick?
Whatsa matter, whatsa matter, whatsa matter you?
Whatsa matter, babe, are you feelin' blue?
Oh
And that's for all of time
And that's for all of time
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
I don't care 'bout that
The song Buddy Holly by Weezer is a catchy guitar-driven song about the singer's love for his girlfriend despite being ridiculed by his friends. It seems like his friends are jealous of their relationship or simply don't like his girlfriend for some reason. The singer is questioning why they are dissing his girlfriend and why they feel the need to be so violent. He tells his girlfriend not to worry because he will always be there to protect her. The chorus, which repeats three times, is a declaration of their love for each other that will last for an eternity.
The second verse describes the singer's physical appearance, saying that he looks just like Buddy Holly, the famous 1950s rock and roll singer, and that his girlfriend looks like Mary Tyler Moore, the actress from the 1960s TV show The Dick Van Dyke Show. It seems like they both are embracing their love for the past and the nostalgia of the 1950s and 1960s. The bridge of the song is a bit more chaotic, with the singer describing a situation where someone is banging on their door and they need to hide. The song ends with one final chorus of the declaration of love that will last for all of time.
Overall, Buddy Holly is a pop-rock song that captures the feeling of young love and nostalgia for a simpler time. The lyrics are catchy and upbeat, while the guitar riff and melody are instantly recognizable. It's a song that continues to be a fan favorite for Weezer.
Line by Line Meaning
What's with these homies dissin' my girl?
Why are my friends insulting my girlfriend?
Why do they gotta front?
Why are they pretending to be something they are not?
What did we ever do to these guys
What did we do to these guys to make them act this way towards us?
That made them so violent?
Why are they being aggressive?
(Ooh ooh) But you know I'm yours
I belong to you.
(Ooh ooh) And I know you're mine
You belong to me.
(Ooh ooh) And that's for all of time
Our love will last forever.
Ooh-wee-ooh, I look just like Buddy Holly
I look like Buddy Holly.
Oh oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore
You look like Mary Tyler Moore.
I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care what others think about us.
I don't care 'bout that
I am not bothered by that.
Don't you ever fear, I'm always near
You can always count on me for help and support.
I know that you need help
I understand that you require my assistance.
Your tongue is twisted, your eyes are slit
You are struggling to speak or see clearly.
You need a guardian
You require someone to look out for you.
Bang bang knockin' on the door
Someone is knocking aggressively on the door.
Another bang bang get down on the floor
There is another instance of aggressiveness, possibly leading to violence.
Oh no, what do we do?
We are faced with a difficult situation and are unsure of how to proceed.
Don't look now but I lost my shoe
I am experiencing a minor inconvenience.
I can't run and I can't kick
I am unable to physically defend myself or flee the situation.
Whatsa matter babe, are you feelin' sick?
Are you feeling unwell?
Whatsa matter, whatsa matter, whatsa matter you?
What is troubling you?
Whatsa matter, babe, are you feelin' blue?
Are you feeling sad?
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Rivers Cuomo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leokimvideo
Just takes me back to Windoze 95. This video was an example for the amazing 'media player' in Windoze 95, a peek into the future
@cretace0us
Leokim what r u doing here???
@raphaelsiqueira4885
I totally remember this!
@Vitaluv
Me too. I was literally just telling this to my bestie just now and Sophie Brickell's Good Times was also on the media player
@lestermaughan9745
Nailed it
@sueannclarke3128
Me too ☺️
@SweeTeasGarbageDump
Genuinely one of the Foo Fighter's best live performances
@illl47
so true
@Whygodwhy12
?
@Stringer13ell
@@Whygodwhy12what do you want to know?