- Album This song officially appears on the Holly Days Official album.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Summer 1976
Related songs
Officially appears on Holly Days
Officially appears on Holly Days
Officially appears on Holly Days
Officially appears on Holly Days
Officially appears on Holly Days
Officially appears on Holly Days
Officially appears on Holly Days
I'm Looking For Someone To Love
Officially appears on It's So Easy / Listen To Me
Officially appears on Holly Days
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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
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
Official album • Released in 1977
1:55 • Studio version • A
- 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
Unofficial album • Released in 1990
Unofficial live • Released in 1992
4:06 • Live
Concert From "15th Buddy Holly Week" in New-York, USA on Sep 04, 1990
Unofficial album • Released in 2014
Wings At The Speed Of Sound - Ultimate Archive Collection
Unofficial album • Released in 2016
1:55 • Studio version • A
- 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
Live Archives Vol. 1 (1984-1990)
Unofficial live • Released in 2017
0:41 • Live
Concert From "13th Buddy Holly Week" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 07, 1988
Live performances
“Rave On” has been played in 6 concerts.
Latest concerts where Rave On has been played
Sep 07, 1999 • Part of Buddy Holly Week
Sep 11, 1996 • Part of Buddy Holly Week
Sep 07, 1995 • Part of Buddy Holly Week
Sep 09, 1992 • Part of Buddy Holly Week
Sep 04, 1990 • Part of Buddy Holly Week
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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