Lubbock, What Is The Best Buddy Holly Cover Ever?

We all know that Buddy Holly's influence on music is beyond monumental; it's foundational. From The Rolling Stones to Florence and the Machine, we've seen Buddy's songs directly inform popular music (and in the case of Weezer, the aesthetic, too).

A cover is the ultimate homage to an artist, especially if it's masterfully done. But what Buddy Holly cover is the BEST? I think if anyone gets to decide what the best Buddy Holly cover is, it's the people of Lubbock, Texas. Here are some good contenders for the title:

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Pearl Jam "Everyday"

Pearl Jam gets to go first because this cover was recorded live in Lubbock, which obviously racks up bonus points. Sure, it sounds slightly unrehearsed, but I find that to be really charming. I love the moment when the audience realizes what's going on and the applause swells.

Blondie "I'm Gonna Love You Too"

This cover is so fun, and proof that Buddy's music is so universal that the coolest girl who ever lived sounds totally natural singing it. I wish I could rock a suit like that.

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Weird Al "Not Fade Away"

I grew up loving Weird Al's antics, and as an adult, I love to see him just sing the heck out of a song. Which is what he does here. He performed this cover during his last visit to Lubbock, but this recording is from a performance in Iowa.

The Knack "Heartbeat"

This performance has a lovely intro and an even lovelier delivery of Buddy's Heartbeat, and it's such an interesting blend of early new wave, surf, and the orginal material. It's really magnificent.

The Beatles "Words of Love"

I've heard the rumor that The Beatles named themselves in honor of/ based off The Crickets. This cover of Words of Love seems to substantiate that. This cover is so natural and easy, it feels like they wrote it, but we know it's our boy Buddy.

The Rolling Stones "Not Fade Away"

The Rolling Stones' first US single was a Buddy Holly cover, so its arguable they owe their career (at least in the US) to Buddy Holly

Florence and The Machine "Not Fade Away"

This cover is just so cool. It's very re-invented: nearly spooky in a New Orleans jazzy way.

The Black Keys "Dearest"

Another fantastic example of making a Buddy song totally their own, this The Black Keys cover of deeper-Buddy-cut Dearest makes me feel feelings:

ADDED! The Grateful Dead "Not Fade Away"

My dear friend Chris, who was gracious enough to read this list, said it best about the Grateful Dead's cover of Not Fade Away:

I know ‘Not Fade Away’ made several appearances on the list, but I’d give The Grateful Dead credit for that one as well. NFA was a regular part of their sets from 1968 to 1995, and I can’t imagine that any band got more people singing and dancing to a Buddy Holly song.

ADDED! Santana "Well Alright"

My very insightful friend Leslie (and my dad Wes) both felt I should add this cover, because as Leslie says:

Santana's "Well, Alright" is a great one as well -- they really make it their own, infusing the iconic Santana sound and energy and ending up with a song twice the original length.

ADDED! Rush "Not Fade Away"

Again, thank you Leslie: "Rush's debut single in 1973 was a cover of "Not Fade Away," really before Rush as we know them." She's right, this is incredibly "proto" Rush.

You Missed My Favorite Cover!

I'm sorry. Here's a list of 36 (!) Buddy cover, some of which overlap my list here (but not all of them!). Buddy's influence is so huge, it could never be contained to one article, after all.