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Released in 1977

Rave On

Written by Norman PettySonny WestBill Tilghman

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:

“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.


Lyrics

We-a-he-a-hell, the little things you say and do

Make me want to be with you-ah-ou

Rave on, it's a crazy feelin' and

I know it's got me reelin'

I'm so glad that you're revealin'

Your love for me

Rave on, rave on and tell me

Tell me not to be lonely

Tell me you love me only

Rave on for me

Rave on, it's a crazy feelin' and

I know it's got me reelin'

I'm so glad that you're revealin'

Your love for me

Rave on, rave on and tell me

Tell me not to be lonely

Tell me you love me only

Rave on for me

Officially appears on

  • Holly Days

    Official album • Released in 1977

    1:55 • Studio versionA

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

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

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Rave On

Live performances

Rave On” has been played in 6 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Rave On” has been played


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.

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