True Love Ways

Last updated
"True Love Ways"
Buddy Holly True Love Ways 45 Coral.jpg
Single by Buddy Holly
from the album The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2
B-side "That Makes It Tough (US)
Moondreams (UK)"
ReleasedJune 29, 1960 (1960-06-29)
RecordedOctober 21, 1958, Pythian Temple, New York City
Genre Pop [1]
Length2:47
Label Coral 9-62210
Songwriter(s) Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
Buddy Holly singles chronology
"Peggy Sue Got Married"
(1959)
"True Love Ways"
(1960)
"Reminiscing"
(1962)

"True Love Ways" is a song attributed to Norman Petty and Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly's original was recorded with the Dick Jacobs Orchestra in October 1958, four months before the singer's death. It was first released on the posthumous album The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2 (Coral 57326/757326), in March 1960. The song was first released as a single in Britain in May 1960, reaching number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. It was released the following month in the US, but did not make the charts. In 1988, a UK re-release of the recording by MCA, the single reached no. 65 on the UK singles chart in a five-week chart run. [2]

Contents

In 1965, Peter and Gordon's version became a hit internationally, reaching number 2 in the UK, number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top 10 in numerous other countries. [3] [4]

Other notable covers include Mickey Gilley's 1980 version which reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and Cliff Richard's version that reached the top 10 in the UK and Ireland in 1983 and was a minor hit internationally. [5] [6]

Buddy Holly original

Background and Recording

The song was recorded at Holly's last recording session before his death on February 3, 1959. The session took place at the Pythian Temple on October 21, 1958 and also included the recordings of "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", "Raining in My Heart", and "Moondreams". [7] [8]

In the extended version of the song, in the first ten seconds Holly can be heard preparing to sing. The audio starts with audio saying "Yeah, we're rolling." A piano player and a tenor saxophone player play some notes, and Holly mutters, "Okay," and clears his throat. The producer yells, "Quiet, boys!" to everyone else in the room, and at the end of the talkback, the producer says, "Pitch, Ernie", to signal the piano player to give Holly his starting note, a B-flat.

Holly biographer Bill Griggs points out that the melody borrows heavily from the gospel song "I'll Be All Right," a favorite of Holly's, and one that would be played at his funeral in 1959. According to Griggs, the framework of the melody was written by Buddy, with the remainder, and lyrics, added by Petty. [9]

Holly's widow, Maria Elena Holly, claimed that the song was written for her as a wedding gift. On April 29, 2011, she unveiled the never-before-seen "True Love Ways" photo of their wedding kiss, now displayed at P.J. Clarke's above Table 53, the table where they became engaged while on their first date, on June 20, 1958. [10]

A listing of producer Norman Petty's productions claims that Vi Petty, Norman's wife, recorded the first version of this song on June 4, 1958—two weeks prior to Buddy's engagement with Maria. However, only white label promotional copies were pressed (in July). [11]

Personnel

Releases

Two compilation albums by Buddy Holly have used the title of the song. The 1989 Telstar album reached no. 8 on the UK album chart. The 2018 Decca album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra reached no. 10 on the UK album chart. [2]

Chart performance

Chart (1960)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [13] 25

Peter and Gordon version

British pop duo, Peter and Gordon, released their version in 1965. It reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and is the only version of the song to have made the Top 40 of the US singles charts, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1965 during the British Invasion era. [3] [4] Cash Box described it as "a pretty, lyrical emotion-packed reading of the Buddy Holly-penned oldie." [14]

Chart performance

Chart (1965)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [15] 3
Ireland (IRMA) [16] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [17] 9
Norway (VG-lista) [18] 10
UK Singles (OCC) [3] 2
US Billboard Hot 100 [19] 14

Note, Canadian chart weeks following the song's climb up to number 3 on the Canadian chart are missing in the archive, so the song may have climbed higher.

Mickey Gilley version

"True Love Ways"
True Love Ways Mickey Gilley 1980.jpg
Single by Mickey Gilley
from the album That's All That Matters to Me
B-side "That's All That Matters to Me"
ReleasedMarch 28, 1980
Genre Country
Length2:54
Label Epic
Songwriter(s) Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
Producer(s) Jim Ed Norman
Mickey Gilley singles chronology
"A Little Gettin' Used To"
(1979)
"True Love Ways"
(1980)
"Stand by Me"
(1980)

Mickey Gilley, country singer, released a successful cover version in 1980 (during the height of his popularity). Gilley's version reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in July 1980. [5]

Chart performance

Chart (1980)Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [21] 66
Canadian RPM Country Tracks1

Year-end charts

Chart (1980)Position
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [22] 7

Cliff Richard version

"True Love Ways"
Cliff Richard True Love Ways single cover.jpg
Single by Cliff Richard with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
from the album Dressed for the Occasion
B-side "Galadriel"
Released8 April 1983 (1983-04-08) [23]
Recorded23 November 1982 (1982-11-23)
Venue Royal Albert Hall
Genre Pop
Length3:10
Label EMI
Songwriter(s) Buddy Holly
Producer(s) Cliff Richard, Richard Hewson
Cliff Richard with the London Philharmonic Orchestra singles chronology
"She Means Nothing to Me"
(1983)
"True Love Ways"
(1983)
"Never Say Die (Give a Little Bit More)"
(1983)

British pop singer Cliff Richard released his cover as the lead single from his Dressed for the Occasion album in April 1983. The recording is of a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1982 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Richard's version reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart and was a hit in several other countries. [6] [24]

Chart performance

Chart (1983)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [25] 35
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [26] 24
Ireland (IRMA) [27] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [28] 41
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [29] 45
UK Singles (OCC) [6] 8

Other notable versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That'll Be the Day</span> 1957 single by the Crickets

"That'll Be the Day" is a song written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison. It was first recorded by Buddy Holly and the Three Tunes in 1956 and was re-recorded in 1957 by Holly and his new band, the Crickets. The 1957 recording achieved widespread success. Holly's producer, Norman Petty, was credited as a co-writer, although he did not contribute to the composition.

<i>Other Peoples Songs</i> 2003 studio album by Erasure

Other People's Songs is a cover album by English synth-pop duo Erasure released on 27 January 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Fade Away (song)</span> 1957 single by The Crickets

"Not Fade Away" is a song credited to Buddy Holly and Norman Petty and first recorded by Holly and his band, the Crickets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Batt</span> English singer-songwriter, arranger and director

Michael Philip Batt, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, record producer, director, and conductor. He was formerly the Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Sandman</span> 1954 song

"Mr. Sandman" is a popular song written by Pat Ballard and published in 1954. It was first recorded in May of that year by Vaughn Monroe & his orchestra and later that year by The Chordettes and the Four Aces. The song's lyrics convey a request to "Mr. Sandman" to "bring me a dream" – the traditional association of the folkloric figure. The pronoun used to refer to the desired dream is often changed depending on the sex of the singer or group performing the song, as the original sheet music publication, which includes male and female versions of the lyrics, intended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can See Clearly Now</span> Song by Johnny Nash

"I Can See Clearly Now" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash. It was the lead single from his twelfth album, I Can See Clearly Now (1972), and achieved success in the United States and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box charts. It also reached number one in Canada and South Africa. The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including a hit version by Lee Towers that reached no. 19 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1982, and another recorded by Jimmy Cliff for the motion picture soundtrack of Cool Runnings that peaked at no. 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1993.

"Love Hurts" is a song written and composed by the American songwriter Boudleaux Bryant. First recorded by the Everly Brothers in July 1960, the song is most well known in two hit versions by UK artists; by Scottish hard rock band Nazareth in 1974 and by English singer-songwriter Jim Capaldi in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Don't Talk Anymore (Cliff Richard song)</span> 1979 single by Cliff Richard

"We Don't Talk Anymore" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard, written by Alan Tarney and produced by the Shadows' rhythm guitarist, Bruce Welch. It was released in 1979 as a single and reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in August 1979, remaining there for four weeks, Richard's tenth UK number one and his first since "Congratulations" in 1968.

"Love Letters in the Sand" is a popular song first published in 1931.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Holly discography</span> Cataloguing of published recordings by Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly recorded under several names and with several different backing bands. The Crickets played on almost all of his singles in 1957 and 1958.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat (Buddy Holly song)</span> Song by Buddy Holly

"Heartbeat" is a rockabilly song originally recorded by Bob Montgomery and credited to Norman Petty. It was recorded most famously by Buddy Holly in 1958. The B-side of the single was "Well... All Right". "Heartbeat" reached the UK top 10 twice: once in 1975 for Showaddywaddy at number seven and again in 1992 for Nick Berry, recorded as the theme to the television series Heartbeat, which reached number two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh, Boy! (The Crickets song)</span> 1957 song by The Crickets

"Oh, Boy!" is a song written by Sonny West, Bill Tilghman and Norman Petty. The song was included on the album The "Chirping" Crickets and was also released as the A-side of a single, with "Not Fade Away" as the B-side. The song peaked at number 10 on the US charts, number 3 on the UK charts in early 1958, and number 26 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley song)</span> 1955 song by Bo Diddley

"Bo Diddley" is a song by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley. It introduced the rhythm that became known as the Bo Diddley beat and topped the Billboard R&B chart for two weeks in 1955. The song is included on many of Diddley's compilation albums including Bo Diddley (1958) and His Best (1997). Buddy Holly recorded a version that posthumously became his 2nd highest-charting single in the UK after "It Doesn't Matter Anymore".

"That's My Desire" is a 1931 popular song with music by Helmy Kresa and lyrics by Carroll Loveday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Love You Too</span>

"I'm Gonna Love You Too" is a song written by Joe B. Mauldin, Niki Sullivan and Norman Petty, originally recorded by Buddy Holly in 1957 and released as a single in 1958. It was covered 20 years later by American new wave band Blondie and released as the lead single in the U.S. from their multi-platinum 1978 album Parallel Lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday (Buddy Holly song)</span> 1957 single by Buddy Holly

"Everyday" is a song written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, recorded by Buddy Holly and the Crickets on May 29, 1957, and released on September 20, 1957, as the B-side of "Peggy Sue". The single went to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1957. "Everyday" is ranked number 238 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Doesn't Matter Anymore</span> 1959 single by Buddy Holly

"It Doesn't Matter Anymore" is a pop ballad written by Paul Anka and recorded by Buddy Holly in 1958. The song was issued in January 1959, less than a month before Holly's death. "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" reached number 13 as a posthumous hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1959, shortly after Holly was killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. The single was a two-sided hit, backed with "Raining in My Heart". "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" was Holly's last US Top 20 hit and featured the orchestral backing of Dick Jacobs. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, where it became the country's first posthumous number 1 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss You Nights</span> 1975 single by Cliff Richard

"Miss You Nights" is a song written by Dave Townsend and made famous worldwide by Cliff Richard. The song has been recorded by numerous other artists, most notably Westlife, who released it as the second track on a double A-side single in 2003. The Westlife single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart.

<i>Dressed for the Occasion</i> (Cliff Richard album) 1983 live album by Cliff Richard

Dressed for the Occasion is an album by English singer Cliff Richard, recorded live with the accompaniment of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in November 1982. It was released in May 1983 on the EMI label and reached No. 7 in the UK Albums Chart and No. 30 in Australia. It was certified Silver in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy Man (Roy Orbison song)</span> 1961 song by Roy Orbison

"Candy Man" is a song by Roy Orbison, released as the B-side to his international hit "Crying" in July 1961. It was later covered by British beat group Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, becoming a top-ten hit in the UK.

References

  1. Segretto, Mike (2022). "Rock and Roll: The First Eight Years". 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Minute - A Critical Trip Through the Rock LP Era, 1955–1999. Backbeat. pp. 13–14. ISBN   9781493064601.
  2. 1 2 "Buddy Holly Singles in the UK". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  3. 1 2 3 "Peter and Gordon: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  4. 1 2 "The Hot 100 - The week of June 5, 1965". Billboard . Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  5. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 551.
  6. 1 2 3 "Cliff Richard: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  7. "Buddy Holly Story". Rocknrollunravelled.com. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  8. "The Pythian Temple Sessions". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  9. 1 2 "MusicDish e-Journal - Up Close With Bill Griggs: The Number One Historian of Buddy Holly and The Crickets". Musicdish.com. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  10. "True Love Ways Unveiled – Buddy Holly's Great Music, Great Romance » Listen to Me". True Great Original. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  11. 1 2 "NORMAN PETTY STUDIOS Productions - Discography (O-P)". Norvajakmusic.com. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  12. .True Love Ways. Buddy Holly. 45cat.com.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  14. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 10, 1965. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  15. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5699." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  16. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – True Love Ways". Irish Singles Chart.
  17. "Peter & Gordon – True Love Ways" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  18. "Peter & Gordon – True Love Ways". VG-lista.
  19. "Peter & Gordon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. "Mickey Gilley Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  21. "Mickey Gilley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  22. "Best of 1980: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1980.
  23. "The Cliff Richard Song Database website: Discography - Singles". cliffrichardsongs.com. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  24. Lewry, Peter; Nigel, Goodall (2004). Dressed for the Occasion (CD Digital Remaster) (Liner notes). Cliff Richard. EMI.
  25. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  26. "Cliff Richard with The London Philharmonic Orchestra – True Love Ways" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  27. "Ireland singles charts". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
  28. "Cliff Richard with The London Philharmonic Orchestra – True Love Ways" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  29. "Cliff Richard with The London Philharmonic Orchestra – True Love Ways". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  30. "Dick Rivers - Ne Pleure Pas (True Love Ways)". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  31. Select artist 'Dick RIVERS', sorted by surname. "Direct Access to Artists - R". InfoDisc. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  32. Record World, September 30, 1978 - Page 96 RECORD WORLD COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, SEPT. 30 90, SEPT. 23 92, WKS. ON CHART 2
  33. Record World, October 7, 1978 - Page 120 RECORD WORLD COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, OCT 7. 100, SEPT 30. 90, WKS ON CHART 3
  34. MusicVF.com - Randy Gurley Top Songs, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1978 1. 09/1978 True Love Ways by Randy Gurley
  35. "Official Singles Chart - True Love Ways". OfficialCharts. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  36. Roberts, Jeremy (1 January 2022). "True love ways: A glimpse inside the tangled web of Rick Nelson's final album". Jeremylr.medium.com. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  37. Roberts, Jeremy (1 January 2022). "As long as we had him: Rick Nelson's inner circle expose his unreleased last record". Jeremylr.medium.com. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  38. Metcalfe, John (2010-09-23). "Creepy Egyptian Cheese Ads Explain Geopolitics - The Wire". Theatlanticwire.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.