Complete List Of Buddy Holly Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Brunswick Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Charles Hardin Holley, professionally known as Buddy Holly, hailed from Lubbock, Texas, where he was born on September 7, 1936. Growing up as the youngest of four children in a musical family, Holly was immersed in various genres from an early age. His initial foray into music saw him performing country and western tunes with his friend Bob Montgomery, forming the duo “Buddy and Bob” during their high school years. The pivotal moment in Holly’s career trajectory occurred in 1955 when he opened for Elvis Presley. This exposure to rock and roll ignited his passion for the genre, prompting him to transition from country music and pursue a career in rock and roll.

In 1956, Holly’s burgeoning talent caught the attention of Nashville scout Eddie Crandall, leading to a contract with Decca Records. Despite initial setbacks during recording sessions in Nashville, Holly’s determination remained unwavering. He returned to Lubbock and, with a group of local musicians, including drummer Jerry Allison, formed a band that would later be known as The Crickets. Collaborating with producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico, Holly and The Crickets recorded a demo of “That’ll Be the Day.” This track, inspired by a line from a John Wayne movie, became their breakthrough hit, propelling them into the national spotlight.

Throughout his brief yet prolific career, Buddy Holly released several albums, both as a solo artist and with The Crickets. Notable albums include “The ‘Chirping’ Crickets” (1957) and “Buddy Holly” (1958). His innovative approach to songwriting and recording yielded a series of hit singles that have since become rock and roll classics. Songs like “Peggy Sue,” “Oh, Boy!,” “Maybe Baby,” and “Rave On” showcased his signature blend of catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer of the genre.

Despite his untimely death at the age of 22 in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, Holly’s influence on music has been profound and enduring. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, underscoring his lasting impact on the industry. Artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan have cited Holly as a significant influence on their work. His innovative techniques, including the use of double-tracking and pioneering the standard rock band setup of two guitars, bass, and drums, have left an indelible mark on the evolution of popular music.

Beyond his musical achievements, Buddy Holly’s legacy extends into various cultural realms. His life and career have been immortalized in film and theater, most notably in “The Buddy Holly Story,” a 1978 biographical film that garnered critical acclaim. Additionally, his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, honors his memory through the Buddy Holly Center, a museum dedicated to preserving his contributions to music and culture. Holly’s enduring popularity is a testament to his remarkable talent and the timeless appeal of his music.

(A-G)

“Ain’t Got No Home” – Giant (1969)
“Baby, Won’t You Come Out Tonight” – Reminiscing (1963)
“Because I Love You” – Reminiscing (1963)
“Blue Days, Black Nights” – That’ll Be the Day (1956)
“Blue Monday” – Giant (1969)
“Blue Suede Shoes” – Showcase (1964)
“Bo Diddley” – Reminiscing (1963)
“Brown Eyed Handsome Man” – Reminiscing (1963)
“Come Back Baby” – Showcase (1964)
“Crying, Waiting, Hoping” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1959)
“Don’t Come Back Knockin'” – That’ll Be the Day (1958)
“Door to My Heart” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Down the Line” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Early in the Morning” – The Buddy Holly Story (1959)
“An Empty Cup (And a Broken Date)” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“Everyday” – Buddy Holly (1958), The Buddy Holly Story
“Flower of My Heart” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Fool’s Paradise” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Gambled My Heart” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Girl on My Mind” – That’ll Be the Day (1958), Showcase
“Gone” – Showcase (1964)
“Good Rockin’ Tonight” – Giant (1969)
“Gotta Get You Near Me Blues” – Holly in the Hills (1965)

(H-L)

“Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue)” – Giant (1969)
“Heartbeat” – The Buddy Holly Story (1958)
“Holly Hop” – Giant (1969)
“Honky Tonk” – Showcase (1964)
“I Guess I Was Just a Fool” – Showcase (1964)
“I Wanna Play House with You” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“I’m Changing All Those Changes” – That’ll Be the Day (1958), Reminiscing
“I’m Gonna Love You Too” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down” – Reminiscing (1963)
“I’m Looking for Someone to Love” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – The Buddy Holly Story (1959)
“It’s Not My Fault” – Reminiscing (1963)
“It’s So Easy!” – The Buddy Holly Story (1958)
“It’s Too Late” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“Last Night” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“Learning the Game” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960)
“Listen to Me” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“Little Baby” – Buddy Holly (1958), The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II
“Lonesome Tears” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Look at Me” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“Love Is Strange” – Giant (1969)
“Love Me” – That’ll Be the Day (1956)
“Love’s Made a Fool of You” – Showcase

(M-R)

“Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“Maybe Baby” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957), The Buddy Holly Story
“Midnight Shift” – That’ll Be the Day (1958)
“Modern Don Juan” – That’ll Be the Day (1956)
“Moondreams” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960)
“Not Fade Away” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“Now We’re One” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960)
“Oh, Boy” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957), The Buddy Holly Story
“Peggy Sue” – Buddy Holly (1958), The Buddy Holly Story
“Peggy Sue Got Married” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1959)
“Raining in My Heart” – The Buddy Holly Story (1959)
“Rave On!” – Buddy Holly (1958), The Buddy Holly Story
“Ready Teddy” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“Reminiscing” – Reminiscing (1962)
“Rip It Up” – Showcase (1964)
“Rock-A-Bye Rock” – Reminiscing (1963)
“Rock Around with Ollie Vee” – That’ll Be the Day (1957), Showcase
“Rock Me My Baby” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)

(S-T)

“Send Me Some Lovin'” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“Shake, Rattle and Roll” – Showcase (1964)
“Slippin’ and Slidin'” – Reminiscing (1963), Giant
“Smokey Joe’s Cafe” – Giant (1969)
“Soft Place in My Heart” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“Take Your Time” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1958)
“Tell Me How” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)
“That Makes It Tough” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960)
“That’ll Be the Day” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957), That’ll Be the Day, The Buddy Holly Story
“That’s What They Say” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960)
“Think It Over” – The Buddy Holly Story (1958)
“Ting-A-Ling” – That’ll Be the Day (1958)
“True Love Ways” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960)

(U-Z)

“(Ummm, Oh Yeah) Dearest” – Showcase (1964), Giant
“Valley of Tears” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“Wait ‘Till the Sun Shines, Nellie” – Reminiscing (1963)
“Well…All Right” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1958)
“What to Do” – The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II (1960), Holly in the Hills
“Wishing” – Holly in the Hills (1959)
“Words of Love” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“You And I Are Through” – Holly in the Hills (1965)
“You Are My One Desire” – That’ll Be the Day (1958)
“You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care)” – Buddy Holly (1958)
“You’re the One” – Showcase (1964), Giant
“You’ve Got Love” – The “Chirping” Crickets (1957)