True Love Ways

Album: Buddy Holly Story 2 (1959)
Charted: 25
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Songfacts®:

  • This was co-written by Buddy and Norman Petty and recorded in October 1958. Petty was Buddy Holly's first producer and owned the studio in Clovis, New Mexico where all of Buddy's first recordings were made (Lubbock did not have a recording studio at the time).
  • This and "It Doesn't Matter Any More" were Buddy's first recordings to use orchestral string arrangements, which accentuated his vocal mannerisms. The strings were arranged by Dick Jacobs. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    David - Lubbock, TX, for above 2
  • The song's haunting melody was inspired by one of Buddy's favorite black gospel hymns, "I'll Be Alright," which was recorded by The Angelic Gospel Singers. This song was likely inspired by his wife Maria Elena. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Samuel - Kilsyth, United Kingdom
  • Notable covers include versions by Mickey Gilley, Peter & Gordon, and The Royal Philharmonic.
  • This wasn't released until after Holly's death in 1959. After he died in a plane crash, the album The Buddy Holly Story was released, which contained many of his early hits. This album came out a few months later and included many of his lesser-known or never released songs.

Comments: 18

  • EricBeautiful melody but the first line is very awkwardly written unless it had some special meaning to Holly and his wife? "Why you and I will bye and bye know true love ways" What?? That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1965 {May 20th} Peter and Gordon's covered version of "True Love Ways" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's Official Top 50 Singles* chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Where Are You Now (My Love)" by Jackie Trent...
    "True Love Ways" reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard's Top 100 chart...
    Between 1964 and 1966 the English duo had seven records on the United Kingdom's Singles chart, four made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "A World Without Love", for two weeks in April of 1964...
    Besides "True Love Ways" and "A World Without Love", their other two Top 10 records were "Nobody I Know" {#10 in 1964} and "To Know You Is To Love You" {#5 in 1965}...
    Plus they had two Top 20 records, "Baby I'm Yours" {#19 in 1965} and "Lady Godiva" {#16 in 1966}...
    Their only record that didn't either make the Top 10 or Top 20 was "Woman" {#28 in 1966}...
    Gordon Trueman Riviere Waller passed away at the age of 64 on July 17th, 2009, and Peter Asher will celebrate his 76 birthday next month on June 22nd, 2020...
    May Mr. Waller R.I.P.
    * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the U.K. Singles' Top 10 on May 20th, 1965:
    At #3. "Ticket To Ride by the Beatles
    #4. "King of The Road" by Roger Miller
    #5. "A World of Our Own" by the Seekers
    #6. "This Little Bird" by Marianne Faithfull
    #7. "Wonderful World" by Herman's Hermits
    #8. "Long Live Love" by Sandie Shaw
    #9. "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan
    #10. "Pop Go The Workers" by the Barron Knights
  • Randy from Houghton Lake, MiMy wife was born on Feb 4, 1959 the day after the plane crash. I said that God was sorry for taking Buddy Holly so he gave us Jeanie. She has cancer now and not doing to well... I'm sure if I hear this song after she's gone I will cry but still be thankful for the years we had together.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaI love Ricky Nelson's version of this as well.
  • Mike from Stoke-on-trent, United KingdomIt was, in fact, recorded at the Pythian Studios, New York along with Moondreams, Raining in my heart & It doesn't matter any more. This was his last ever recording session. He did make later recordings on his own tape recorder in his New York Apartment at The Brevoort, 5th Avenue in Greenwich Village. Mike, Stoke-on-Trent, England
  • Howard from Santa Fe, NmIt has been sometime since I have reviwed Songfacts. It's great. I am 82 now and I've seen a few songs come and go. As I stated sometime ago I never knew Buddy Holly but I did know Norman Petty who first discovered Buddy. I have a web site now and if you are interested in a little history of this song and that era go to www.hdeshazo.com and clidk on "Me 'n Sound" It covers my knowledge of this song and Norman Petty. Thanks, Howard DeShazo, Santa Fe, NM. hldeshazo@aol.com
  • Don from New Orleans, LaMy wife was the only (I think) Holly fan club member in Arabi (out side of nola) She selected this song to played at her funeral. It was hers and mine song that we danced to all of time. I will miss her.
  • Mark from Dublin, IrelandCliff Richard version of this song is the best in my opinion. Buddy would be proud of it.
  • Claire from Dublin, IrelandThis is my weding song. I've had it picked for years but I'm sure it's the one I want :) xx
  • Jezebel from Lincoln, MoI've always preffered Ricky Nelsons version
  • Peggy Sue from Charlotte, NcTHIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG EVER WRITTEN. IT SHOULD BE PLAYED AT EVERY WEDDING..... IF THEY REALLY MEAN IT THAT IS.
  • Howard from Santa Fe, NmI never met Buddy but I knew Norman Petty and Ben Hall. Norman, as has already been reported, owned a studio in Clovis New Mexico - Ben owned a studio in Big Spring, Texas. Ben Hall I beleive may have known Buddy first? At least Ben told me that he did help on some of the songs that Buddy wrote - one "True Love Ways" which he says his contribution on was never acknowledged.That would challenge the first statement above about Co-written by Norman Petty. Ben, as he told me, played country and gospel music and he didn't understand Buddy's music and I believe referred Buddy to Norman Petty who at one time had a trio called "The Norman Petty Trio" and recorded for one of major recording labels of late 40's and early 50's - I want to say Columbia! He felt that Norman would understand Buddy's music better. "Big Mistake" - Ben said to me once!
    You must give Norman Petty his due, however, for he had a studio (few and far between in those days)and he also had the connection to the music world (Norman Petty Trio, of the late 40's and early 50's)for the big studios controled all the talent. Thanks,
    hldeshazo@aol.com
    - Howard, Santa Fe, New Mexico I never met Buddy but I knew Norman Petty and Ben Hall. Norman, as has already been reported, owned a studio in Clovis New Mexico - Ben owned a studio in Big Spring, Texas. Ben Hall I beleive may have known Buddy first? At least Ben told me that he did help on some of the songs that Buddy wrote - one "True Love Ways" which he says his contribution on was never acknowledged. That would challenge the first statement about this song being co-written by Norman Petty. Ben, as he told me, played country and gospel music and he didn't understand Buddy's music and I believe referred Buddy to Norman Petty who at one time had a trio called "The Norman Petty Trio" and recorded for one of major recording labels of late 40's and early 50's - I want to say Columbia! He felt that Norman would understand Buddy's music better. "Big Mistake" - Ben said to me once! One would have to give Norman his due, however, for he had the recording studio (few and far between in those days in the west) and he had the connections to get Buddy heard (Norman Petty Trio - of the late 40's and 50's) was fairly popular.
    e-mail hldeshazo@aol.com
    - Howard, Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • Ian from Sydney, Australia, AustraliaThis is a very beautifuly and meaningful song. It was also sung by Cliff Richards and British singer who sang with the Shadows during the 1960's.
  • Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumI only know the version of Peter and Gordon; I like it very much.
  • Tony from Devon, EnglandThe melody is based on an old gospel song "I'll Be All Right" that Buddy particularly liked, as sung by the Angelic Gospel. Their version of this old tune was played at Holly's funeral.
  • Howard from Santa Fe, NcOne writer left off this song was Ben Hall of Big Spring, Texas
  • Bruce from Meadville, PaI like this song alot but I like Peter & Gordon's version of it better
  • Maddie from Yakima, WaThis is my favorite Buddy Holly song.
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