I had a girl/
Donna was her name.
Since she left me/
I’ve never been the same.

One of the things the things about this top 500 list that is different from Rolling Stones Top 500 list is the value of songs from the 1950s. So many of Rollng Stones songs from the 50s have aged poorly-even if we can appreciate their contribution to the history of rock. “Donna” is that much more impressive; it was written in 1958. It has aged well.

Valens would die at 17, along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. It is hard to imagine what his career would have been had he lived. As is, he is a worthy member of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame who died at 17. Crazy.

The power of “Donna” is that it is a love song about a guy who lost a girl. The melody is gorgeous in both the verse and bridge. This is another example of a song with a strong bridge that does not feel tacked on, but feels woven into the song and essential to the song. The lyrics feel simple- but not in a bad way.  I imagine if Donna heard this she would be receptive to a reconciliation!

Donna Lyrics

Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna

I had a girl
Donna was her name
Since she left me
I’ve never been the same
‘Cause I love my girl
Donna, where can you be?
Where can you be?

Now that you’re gone
I’m left all alone
All by myself
To wander and roam
‘Cause I love my girl
Donna, where can you be?
Where can you be?

Well, darlin’, now that you’re gone
I don’t know what I’ll do
All time and all my love for you

I had a girl
Donna was her name
Since she left me
I’ve never been the same
‘Cause I love my girl
Donna, where can you be?

Where can you be?
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
Oh

Songwriters: Ritchie Valens