Peggy Sue

Song Meaning of Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly

Holly’s most iconic hit came together in a rehearsal.

"Peggy Sue" is a rock and roll song recorded and released as a single by Buddy Holly in 1957, and was also released on Holly's eponymous 1958 album.

The song was originally entitled "Cindy Lou", after Holly's niece, the daughter of his sister Pat Holley Kaiter.

The title was later changed to "Peggy Sue" in reference to Peggy Sue Gerron, the girlfriend (and future wife) of Jerry Allison, the drummer for the Crickets, after the couple had temporarily broken up.

In her memoir, Whatever Happened to Peggy Sue?, Gerron stated that she first heard the song at a live performance at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in 1957, and that she was "so embarrassed, I could have died."

Appropriately, Allison had a prominent role in the production of the song, playing paradiddles on the drums throughout the song.

Initially, only Allison and Petty were listed as the song's authors. At Allison's insistence, Holly was credited as a co-writer after his death.

Peggy Sue" went to number three on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1957.

Peggy Sue lyrics by Buddy Holly

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

And 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