Thatll Be the Day

Song Meaning of That'll Be The Day by Buddy Holly

The song's title, which was taken from a statement that appeared often in the John Wayne film The Searchers, was recorded in Clovis, New Mexico, in February 1957.

"We were cutting 'That'll Be the Day' just as a demo to send to New York, just to see if they liked the sound of the group — not for a master record," Crickets drummer Jerry Allison remembered.

We simply in, set up, and shucked through the song. Allison attributes the influence of New Orleans bluesman Lonnie Johnson on Holly's guitar picking in "That'll Be the Day"

Buddy Holly and the Three Tunes first recorded it in 1956, and Buddy Holly and the Crickets, his new band, re-recorded it in 1957. Widespread success was enjoyed by the 1957 recording. Norman Petty, Holly's producer, was listed as a co-writer even though he did not participate to the writing.

That'll Be The Day lyrics by Buddy Holly

Well, that'll be the day when you say goodbye

Yes, that'll be the day when you make me cry

You say you gonna leave, you know it's a lie

'Cause that'll be the day when I die

Well, you give me all your lovin' and your turtle dovin'

All your hugs and kisses and your money, too

Well, you know you love me, baby

Still you tell me, maybe

That some day, well, I'll be blue

Well, that'll be the day when you say goodbye

Yes, that'll be the day when you make me cry

You say you gonna leave, you know it's a lie

'Cause that'll be the day when I die

Well, that'll be the day when you say goodbye

Yes, that'll be the day when you make me cry

You say you gonna leave, you know it's a lie

'Cause that'll be the day when I die

Well, when Cupid shot his dart

He shot it at your heart

So if we ever part and I leave you

You say you told me, an' you told me boldly

That someday, well, I'll be blue

Well, that'll be the day when you say goodbye

Yes, that'll be the day when you make me cry

You say you gonna leave, you know it's a lie

'Cause that'll be the day when I die

Well that'll be the day, ooh hoo

That'll be the day, ooh hoo

That'll be the day, ooh hoo

That'll be the day