That'll Be the Day

That'll Be the Day is a seminal rock and roll song recorded by Buddy Holly and his band the Crickets. Released as a single in 1957 on the Brunswick Records label, it became the group's first major hit, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard charts and establishing Holly as a national star. The song's driving rhythm, distinctive vocal hiccup, and influential guitar work helped define the sound of late-1950s rock and roll and inspired countless subsequent musicians. Its title was famously borrowed from a recurring phrase uttered by John Wayne in the 1956 Western The Searchers.

Background and composition

The genesis of the song occurred when Buddy Holly and drummer Jerry Allison saw John Wayne's film The Searchers at a theater in Lubbock, Texas; they were struck by the actor's repeated use of the phrase "that'll be the day." Holly and Allison, along with producer Norman Petty, who was later credited as a co-writer, developed the song during sessions at Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico. Musically, it is built on a twelve-bar blues progression common to early rock and roll, featuring Holly's clear, earnest vocals punctuated by a signature stutter and a pioneering double-tracked guitar solo. The arrangement by the Crickets, with Allison's steady backbeat and Niki Sullivan's rhythm guitar, created a crisp, energetic template that bridged rockabilly and the emerging group-oriented rock sound.

Release and chart performance

Initially released in a failed version by Decca Records in 1956 under Holly's name, the definitive recording was cut on February 25, 1957, and issued by Brunswick Records on May 27, 1957, credited to the Crickets to circumvent contractual issues with Decca. The single rapidly gained traction through national radio play on programs like American Bandstand and distribution by Coral Records. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1957, climbing to the number one position for one week in September, while also reaching number one on the Best Sellers in Stores chart. The success propelled the accompanying album, The "Chirping" Crickets, and solidified the group's status, leading to prominent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and tours across the United States and United Kingdom.

Cultural impact and legacy

The song's influence on the development of popular music is profound, serving as a foundational text for the British Invasion bands of the 1960s; both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones recorded early covers, with John Lennon citing it as a major inspiration. It has been enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame and is preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical significance. The track has been featured in numerous films, including American Graffiti, and its opening guitar riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The success of "That'll Be the Day" established the model of the singer-songwriter-led rock band and demonstrated the commercial potential of independent recording studios far from traditional hubs like New York City or Los Angeles.

Personnel and credits

* Buddy Holly – lead vocals, lead guitar * Jerry Allison – drums * Niki Sullivan – rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Joe B. Mauldin – upright bass * Norman Petty – producer, credited co-writer * Recording engineer: Norman Petty * Recorded at Norman Petty Studio, Clovis, New Mexico * Single released on Brunswick Records (catalog number 9-55009)

Category:1957 songs Category:Buddy Holly songs Category:Rock and roll songs Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles