Best Of Buddy Holly Songs
On The Acoustic

Blue Days Black Nights is a song written and originally recorded by Buddy Holly in 1956. Released as a single on Decca Records, it features Holly on lead vocals and guitar, backed by the Crickets. The track has a distinct rockabilly style, with Holly's emotive vocals expressing loneliness and heartbreak.

Though not a huge hit initially, it's now considered a classic of early rock and roll. Covered by artists like Elvis Presley and Robert Plant, the song highlights Holly's influence on the genre's development.

This one can be played in standard tuning with a root down root up down up rhythm pattern. There is lead work in this one with the chords A, E7, D, D7 and Ab.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man was written by Chuck Berry in 1956 and covered by Buddy Holly in 1957. Holly's version, featured on his album "Reminiscing" in 1963, has his trademark rock and roll style with lively vocals and guitar.

The song celebrates a charming man's good looks and popularity. Though it peaked at #3 in the UK, it's still loved in Holly's music. His rendition highlights his talent and helped establish him in rock and roll.

I play this one in standard tuning with a steady down up down up rhythm pattern with the chords E, A, B7 and D. There is some lead work here.

Everyday is more than just a song; it's a musical time capsule from the late 1950s. Written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, this gem first saw the light on his 1957 debut album, "The 'Chirping' Crickets." It's worth noting that this album was also the last one released during Holly's lifetime.

The song itself was recorded in 1957 at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico. Interestingly, the studio's unorthodox design led to a unique sound, giving "Everyday" its distinctive and soothing quality. The song was released on the B-side of Peggy Sue. 

I play this in standard tuning with a root up down up pause up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and a little bit of picking required. The chords you'll need here are G, Em, Am7, D7, C, D, F, A# and D#.

Fool's Paradise is a song written in 1955 by Norman Perry, Joan Whitney, and Alex Kramer, and Buddy Holly made it popular with his 1958 recording.

In Holly's version, his lively rock and roll style shines through with upbeat guitar and vocals. The lyrics tell of a relationship on the brink of trouble, though the singer remains unaware. Despite only reaching #90 on the US Billboard Hot 100, it's still cherished among Holly's songs.

\Recorded in Clovis, New Mexico, in 1958, it stands as one of Holly's last works before his tragic death in a plane crash. This recording showcases his talents as both a singer and guitarist.

I play this with Drop D Tuning and a capo on the 3rd fret using a steady down down down down rhythm with some rock n roll riffs. The chord here are D, G, A, E and Db7.

I Fought The Law wasn't a song by Buddy Holly; instead, it was written by Sonny Curtis, a member of Holly's band The Crickets. The Bobby Fuller Four made it famous with their 1965 recording.

The song is an upbeat rock and roll tune about breaking the law and facing the consequences, with catchy, rebellious lyrics like "I fought the law and the law won." Although Holly never recorded it, he helped Curtis finish the song and offered advice on its style.

The Bobby Fuller Four's version reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and has remained popular with many covers and references in pop culture, including a version by The Clash in 1979.

I also play this one with Drop D Tuning with the chords D, G, A and D7. There is some picking blended into the rhythm while playing a steady shuffle with some chops.

I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore was written by Canadian artist Paul Anka for Buddy Holly and recorded by Holly in 1958. The song has a pop sound with strings, which was unusual for rock and roll at the time.

It's about moving on from a failed relationship, with Holly's energetic vocals adding urgency. Despite being released just before Holly's tragic death, it became a hit, reaching #13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Recorded in New York City with session musicians called "The Crickets," the song's string arrangement was done by Don Costa. It's one of Holly's most enduring songs, covered by many artists. Paul Anka donated his royalties from the song to Holly's wife as a gesture of respect.

Play this one in standard tuning using a root down up down up down up & repeat rhythm pattern with some riffs. Some picking required playing the chords G, D, D7, Em and A7.

I'm Gonna Love You Too is a song that can be found on Buddy Holly's second studio album "Buddy Holly" which was released in 1958.

The song was written by Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, and Joe B. Mauldin and reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958.

The tune is about the joy of falling in love and wanting to express that love to someone special.

There was no official music video created for this song, as music videos were not yet a common practice during the time it was released.

This is a great song for helping you mastering Buddy Holly's music on guitar because of the steady up and down rhythm found in many of his tunes.

For rhythm here play a down up down up pattern and repeat in standard tuning with the chords A, D, E, and E7. No lead work in this one.

Listen to Me is a song by Buddy Holly released in 1958. It showcases Holly's distinctive voice and was recorded shortly before his tragic death.

The song was recorded in New York City with Holly's band, The Crickets. It has a simple arrangement with guitar, drums, and bass. Released as a single with "I'm Gonna Love You Too," it reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the UK Singles Chart.

The lyrics express Holly's plea for his lover's attention, and its catchy melody and upbeat tempo made it a hit. "Listen to Me" remains a classic example of Buddy Holly's style and is popular among guitar players.

For rhythm here play a root down up down down root down up down down pattern in standard tuning. There is some lead in the rhythm play the A, D and E chords

Maybe Baby is a song co-written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, recorded by Buddy Holly and the Crickets in 1957 for their album "The Chirping Crickets."

Recorded in Clovis, New Mexico, the track features Holly on vocals and guitar, along with the Crickets. Notable for its use of handclaps, the song was released as a single in 1958, reaching #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the UK Singles Chart.

The lyrics express a plea for love, with an upbeat tempo and catchy melody that made it a classic rock and roll hit. "Maybe Baby" remains popular among fans and is a great choice for acoustic guitar covers of Buddy Holly songs.

Another one in standard tuning and no lead while playing either a root down up down up root up down up (or) root down up root up down up rhythm pattern. The chords are A, Gbm, D, E and A7.