Top 10 Best Buddy Holly Songs

Along with Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly was a key component to the invention of rock and roll. His backing band, the Crickets, was the first ensemble of its kind. With electric guitar, bass, and drums, Holly basically invented the rock band itself.

Holly signed with Brunswick records in the late 50s and his recording career was cut short when he died in a plane crash along with Richie Valens and J.P "The Big Bopper" Richardson on February 3, 1959. Holly has been cited as one of the Beatles inspirations, and has also influenced many others. Holly is included in Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time along with the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time.
The Top Ten
1 That'll Be the Day

Buddy wrote this song after he watched John Wayne's film "The Searchers". In the film, John Wayne said, "That'll be the day" several times, and it was this phrase that inspired this hit song.

In the movie "The Buddy Holly Story," all of the songs are played live without any overdubbing (Busey played them all) except the intro to this song. It was too difficult.

One of the best all-time great songs. Great beat. Great voice.

2 Everyday

This song will go down in history as being one of the greatest simple songs of all time. The lyrics are simple, and the instrumentation is nothing more than a glockenspiel, bass, and simple percussion. But because of its simplicity, it's become a great song throughout generations.

It caught my attention on Pandora. Catchy is how I would describe it.

I love the song. Listen to it all the time.

3 Rave On

A better guitar player than Elvis Presley. Elvis was the King, but Buddy Holly was at the very least the prince of rock and roll.

May kids today wake up to his great ability and keep his music alive for years to come.

Ed

4 Peggy Sue

All Buddy Holly songs are great, but this one is the best!

First Holly song I heard in the '50s. This is my favorite.

One of the most simple yet fantastic songs of all time. Buddy Holly is the best.

5 Oh Boy!

Watch the video of this song and look at Buddy's hands when he goes into turbo drive in the bridge.

6 Not Fade Away

This song was way ahead of its time and did not sound like anything before it.

This is just the best one he ever made. That'll Be the Day is the most well-known.

7 It's So Easy

This song always makes my heart skip a beat. Holly's vocals in this track are absolutely perfect.

This song is a perfect example of Buddy's unique lead/rhythm hybrid guitar style.

8 True Love Ways

I loved this song in the movie too. It is so beautiful. Buddy Holly was before my time. I wish I had a chance to meet him.

This song is just too beautiful! Besides Buddy's great voice, the music in the background is great.

Probably his best song and the only one where he does not play the guitar.

9 Maybe Baby

I always liked this one after watching The Buddy Holly Story.

10 (You're So Square) Baby, I Don't Care

What a great song. I like the original, and as a Queen fan, I've seen it at Wembley. Great! Such a catchy song. I can already hear it playing.

When I was a little girl, I used to dance to this song all the time back in the '50s.

This song is my JAM! Love the name.

The Contenders
11 Think It Over
12 Raining In My Heart

This song is so relatable and beautiful all at the same time. The orchestra helps to set the tone of the piece as well as complement Holly's already beautiful voice. You can really feel the emotion in this one.

The first use of orchestration (strings) in a pop rock song.

Listening to this beautiful song makes you feel as if you are in a movie.

13 Words of Love

This definitely deserves to be in the top 10. Turned me on to Buddy Holly after hearing the Beatles cover, worked back to Buddy Holly, and it's just a beautiful tune and song.

The intro, his voice, everything! It's so good and so soothing!

Fantastic guitar work and fantastic singing in this one.

14 Heartbeat

The use of the Calypso beat in Rock is fantastic.

15 It Doesn't Matter Anymore

One of the super hits by Buddy (he didn't write it), but he recorded it the same afternoon he got it from Paul Anka.

A song about how Buddy tries his best to be with his loved one, but since it didn't work out, he "moves on".

Great song! Should be much higher on this listing!

16 Dearest

The reason why this song doesn't get enough credit is that Buddy barely got to play around with it. It was recorded merely months before his fatal death, yet the first two takes sound incredible alone. I'd honestly say this is my personal favorite.

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. I listen to it often when I'm on the road. It's so sweet and beautiful. It really shows Buddy's large range in his vocal ability. Truly remarkable and real raw talent. #Notafadeaway

A great recording, remastered from his apartment tapes.

17 Well... All Right

Inspired Santana, what more needs to be said?

18 I'm Looking for Someone to Love
19 Crying Waiting Hoping
20 Fool's Paradise
21 It's Too Late
22 Peggy Sue Got Married
23 Changing All Those Changes
24 Learning the Game

His best song. So simple, but brilliant lyrics.

25 Brown Eyed Handsome Man

A joy-filled, fast song with a great beat.

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