THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

898-Buddy Holly-Peggy Sue.

1957-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 1.24.Air guitar for the 1950’s teenager.

‘Peggy Sue’ was written by Jerry Allison, Norman Petty (1927-1984,) and Buddy Holly (1936-1959.)The song was originally going to be called ‘Cindy Lou,’ in honour of Holly’s niece, the daughter of his sister, Pat Kaiter, but the title was changed to ‘Peggy Sue,’ in reference to Peggy Sue Gerron, the then girlfriend of Jerry Allison, who was to become his future wife.Holly’s name was only added to the list of writing credits after his death, at the insistence of Jerry Allison.

Buddy Holly(see also best songs 264,) and his fellow musicians in The Crickets, are looked upon as forerunners of what would become Rock Music, with several of the worlds greatest artists, citing Holly as an inspiration, including John Lennon, and Paul McCartney, who said they studied Holly’s records, learned his performance style, and lyricism, and based their act around his persona.Other artists who have said they owe Holly a debt, include Bob Dylan, who saw Holly perform live, and Keith Richards who has said that he modelled his early guitar playing on the song ‘Not Fade Away,’ Richards also said that Holly passed on his guitar playing, via the Beatles, and via The Rolling Stones,’He’s in everybody.

‘If you knew Peggy Sue, then you’d know why I feel blue.’