Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue/
Oh how my heart yearns for you.

Many songs from the 1950s have not aged well, but Buddy Holly still sounds great 70! years later. “Peggy Sue” is a simple love song, with a very common theme for the time–a guy professing his love for a girl (See Donna by Ritchie Valens). What makes this song great is that this is the beginning of rock, electric guitars, and three-piece bands feature the guitar, bass and drums. That wasn’t done before. The melody for this song holds up well. It is very catchy. Very upbeat.

A couple interesting instrumental notes about the song: notice how the lead guitar comes in prominently compared to the muted tone of the guitar during the verse. This is new stuff. Also, pay attention to the drums. Notice the ‘tom’ (non-snare) sound. That gives this song a lot of its signature style. And of course, Holly is famous for his, I guess you’d call it hicuppy singing style, which is featured prominently in this song. Has anyone else ever pulled this off?

Peggie Sue Lyrics

If you knew Peggy Sue
Then you’d know why I feel blue without Peggy
My Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes, I love you Peggy Sue

Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue
Oh how my heart yearns for you
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal, yes, I love you Peggy Sue

Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Peggy Sue
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal and I need you Peggy Sue

I love you Peggy Sue
With a love so rare and true
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Well I love you gal, I want you Peggy Sue

Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Peggy Sue
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal yes I need you Peggy Sue

I love you Peggy Sue
With a love so rare and true
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Oh well I love you gal, and I want you Peggy Sue
Oh well, I love you gal and I want you Peggy Sue

Songwriters: Buddy Holly / Jerry Allison / Norman Petty