If you're like me, certain songs have certain moments that for whatever odd reason, take a song from being a great song into being one of your all time favorites. For example, there's Paul McCartney's scowl toward the end of "Hey Jude" or Steve Miller's "Oooh, Lord" in "Take the Money and Run" that take the songs to another level.
"Buddy Holly" is chock full of them--from Oh-wee-ooo to Oh, Oh, to Hoo Hoo, if ever there was a song with nonsense syllables to gladden the heart, this week's tune is full of them.
Weezer was formed in 1992 (where the fuck did the time go? seems like just yesterday...), by front man Rivers Cuomo and has had quite the career since, still performing and releasing albums nearly 25 years later. Their first two albums are considered classics and often show up on best albums of all time lists, and they've had a long collection of singles that have charted. For those who may be curious (or not), "Weezer" was a nickname Cuomo's father had for him when he was a child. Cuomo is also one of the few rock stars who possesses a degree from Harvard--a Bachelor of Arts in English. The band has released ten studio albums since its inception, three of which have gone platinum and two of which have gone gold. Not too bad for a power pop band.
Released on their Weezer (Blue Album)--not to be confused with Weezer (Green Album). Weezer (Red Album) or Weezer (White Album (hey that one's been used before!)--"Buddy Holly" was actually the second single released from the album ("Undone-The Sweater Song" was actually first, a piece of trivia I had forgotten over the years). It would eventually reach #18 (with a bullet!) on The Billboard Hot 100. Another fascinating (or not) fact: the single was released on Buddy Holly's birthday. Not really sure why since the song has very little to do with Buddy Holly and doesn't sound much like anything Holly ever did, but there you have it. Also, we have Ric Ocasek (former Cars front man) to thank for the song--Cuomo thought it was too stupid and didn't want to put it on the album but producer Ocasek campaigned for it and eventually won out. Thanks, Ric!
"What's with these homies dissin' my girl?" Uh--how can you not love a song that opens with that line? Jesus, it's one of those "You had me at hello" moments. And the song gets nothing but better. There's heartfelt but not overwrought vocals by Cuomo, all the joys and horrors of young love, all kinds of power guitars, a catchy as all hell chorus, a reference to the delightful Mary Tyler Moore , and as noted earlier, plenty of nonsense syllables to help you sing along. There are plenty of songs that when I hear I am reminded of how good they are, or sound just as good as ever, but there aren't many that get nothing but better with time and "Buddy Holly" is one of them. It's a song that will get stuck in your head and you'll be smiling all day because it is. A true power pop classic.
Lyric sheet: "I don't care what they say about us anyway/I don't care 'bout that..."
Oh--wee-ooo--enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
No comments:
Post a Comment