Rave On

Song facts

From Wikipedia:

“Rave On” is a 1958 song written by Sonny West, Bill Tilghman and Norman Petty, first recorded by Sonny West (released February 1958, Atlantic 45-1174). The hit version was recorded later that same year by Buddy Holly, and was one of his six songs that charted in 1958. Holly is instantly recognizable as the artist; the record begins with the drawn-out “Well…” as stylized by Holly’s trademark hiccup (“Weh-uh-heh-uh-ell…”).

Most of Holly’s records were produced by his manager Norman Petty in New Mexico, but “Rave On” was recorded in New York by producer-bandleader Milton DeLugg. Holly’s rendition is ranked #154 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2004 list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The title was inspired by the 1956 Sun Records recording “Dixie Fried” by Carl Perkins, which uses the refrain “rave on.”

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

Paul McCartney performed “Rave On” live during several of the Buddy Holly Weeks he organised over the years.

Last updated on March 3, 2020

Lyrics