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Released in 1977

Heartbeat

Written by Norman PettyBob Montgomery

Last updated on March 3, 2020


Album This song officially appears on the Holly Days Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1977

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related songs

From Wikipedia:

Heartbeat” is a rockabilly song credited to Bob Montgomery and Norman Petty and recorded originally by Buddy Holly in 1958. The B-side of the single was “Well… All Right” (Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison, Joe Mauldin).

The last Buddy Holly single to be released during his lifetime, “Heartbeat” was only a minor hit in the US with a No. 82 Billboard Hot 100 peak.

The song had more chart impact in the UK reaching No. 30 first in January 1959, and again upon its April 1960 re-issue.

“Heartbeat” would subsequently reach the UK Top Ten twice. Firstly in 1975 for Showaddywaddy, No. 7 that September, and again in 1992 when the version Nick Berry recorded as the theme to the Heartbeat TV series (in which Berry starred) reached No. 2 that June. Earlier still, in February 1960, the song was a No. 33 UK hit single for The Dale Sisters on His Master’s Voice – POP 710 – when they were billed as the The England Sisters.

Paul McCartney and Denny Laine recorded the song for Denny’s 1977 cover album of Holly’s songs, “Holly Days“.


Lyrics

Heartbeat

Why do you miss when my baby kisses me

Heartbeat

Why does a love kiss stay in my memory

Piddly pat

I know that new love thrills me

I know that true love will be

Heartbeat

Why do you miss when my baby kisses me

Heartbeat

Why do you skip when my babies lips meet mine

Heartbeat

Why do you flip and give me a skip each sign

Piddly pat

And sing to me love's story

And bring to me love's glory

Heartbeat

Why do you miss when my baby kisses me

Officially appears on

  • Moondreams / Heartbeat

    7" Single • Released in 1977

    2:35 • Studio versionA

    Paul McCartney : Background vocals, Bass (?), Drum machine (?), Drums (?), Guitar (?), Keyboard (?), Organ (?), Piano (?), Producer, Synthesizer (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Keyboards (?) Denny Laine : Background vocals, Guitar (?), Vocals

    Session Recording: Summer 1976 • Studio Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland

  • Holly Days

    Official album • Released in 1977

    2:35 • Studio versionA

    Paul McCartney : Background vocals, Bass (?), Drum machine (?), Drums (?), Guitar (?), Keyboard (?), Organ (?), Piano (?), Producer, Synthesizer (?), Vocals Linda Eastman / McCartney : Keyboards (?) Denny Laine : Background vocals, Guitar (?), Vocals

    Session Recording: Summer 1976 • Studio Rude Studio, Campbeltown, Scotland

Bootlegs

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.


Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

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