Rave On
Encyclopedia
"Rave On" is a 1958 song written by Sonny West
, Bill Tilghman and Norman Petty
, first recorded by Sonny West (released February 1958, Atlantic 45-1174). It was also recorded by Buddy Holly
, and was one of his last hits during his lifetime. The song as sung by Holly is ranked #154 on the Rolling Stone
magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
with the E Street Band
, Commander Cody
, Status Quo and folk-rock band Steeleye Span
. It was a hit for The Delta Cross Band in Denmark in 1980.
In Australia
in the early 1990s, the song was also used as comical background music for an Arnott's Shapes
commercial
. The song also partly features in the 1998 motion picture Pleasantville
.
Joe Meek
produced a version with singer Michael Cox, released in 1964 (b/w "Just Say Hello" HMV POP1293 A).
John Mellencamp
also recorded a version for the Cocktail soundtrack in 1988.
The Real Kids
recorded a cover version on their 1977 self-titled album.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
recorded a cover version on their 1970 album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy
.
In an interview, the Danish rock band The Raveonettes
stated that their name is "a complete direct reference to The Ronettes
and Buddy Holly Rave On."
M. Ward
recorded a cover of the song on his 2009 album Hold Time
.
Denny Laine
, guitarist of Wings
and Moody Blues fame, covered the song on his 1977 Buddy Holly tribute Album Holly Days
.
Marshall Crenshaw
covered the song live, which was released as a bonus track on the reissue of his self titled album
.
Julian Casablancas
covered the song for the 2011 Buddy Holly tribute album Rave on Buddy Holly
.
Sonny West
Sonny West is a rock and roll-musician. West wrote and recorded both "Oh, Boy!" and "Rave On" on the Atlantic label in the late 1950s...
, Bill Tilghman and Norman Petty
Norman Petty
Norman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
, first recorded by Sonny West (released February 1958, Atlantic 45-1174). It was also recorded by Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
, and was one of his last hits during his lifetime. The song as sung by Holly is ranked #154 on the Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Other versions
It has also been covered by Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
with the E Street Band
E Street Band
The E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
, Commander Cody
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen is an American country rock band founded in 1967. Core members included founder George Frayne, John Tichy, Billy C. Farlow, Bill Kirchen, Andy Stein, Paul "Buffalo" Bruce Barlow, Lance Dickerson, and Bobby Black....
, Status Quo and folk-rock band Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
. It was a hit for The Delta Cross Band in Denmark in 1980.
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the early 1990s, the song was also used as comical background music for an Arnott's Shapes
Arnott's Shapes
Arnott's Shapes are a popular line of savoury crackers produced by Arnott's in Australia. First produced in Victoria in the 1950s, they were originally made in the shape of potato chips, until bakers realised they were too difficult to cut and were a waste of dough. In 1974, they switched to the...
commercial
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
. The song also partly features in the 1998 motion picture Pleasantville
Pleasantville (film)
Pleasantville is a 1998 American fantasy comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Gary Ross. The film stars Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Marley Shelton and Jeff Daniels. Don Knotts, Paul Walker, Jane Kaczmarek, and J. T. Walsh are also featured.The film...
.
Joe Meek
Joe Meek
Robert George "Joe" Meek was a pioneering English record producer and songwriter....
produced a version with singer Michael Cox, released in 1964 (b/w "Just Say Hello" HMV POP1293 A).
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
also recorded a version for the Cocktail soundtrack in 1988.
The Real Kids
The Real Kids
The Real Kids were a Boston punk rock band led by guitarist, singer and songwriter, John Felice.Felice grew up in Natick, Massachusetts as a neighbor and friend of Jonathan Richman, a fellow fan of The Velvet Underground. At 15 he joined Richman in the first line-up of The Modern Lovers in the...
recorded a cover version on their 1977 self-titled album.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded...
recorded a cover version on their 1970 album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy
Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy
Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy is the 1970 album from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that contains the hit song "Mr. Bojangles". The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is notable for having many charting albums and singles. The album reached #66 on US charts. Three singles charted: "Mr...
.
In an interview, the Danish rock band The Raveonettes
The Raveonettes
The Raveonettes are a Danish indie rock duo, consisting of Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments, and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals...
stated that their name is "a complete direct reference to The Ronettes
The Ronettes
The Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett ; her older sister, Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley...
and Buddy Holly Rave On."
M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
recorded a cover of the song on his 2009 album Hold Time
Hold Time
Hold Time is the sixth proper studio album from M. Ward, released on February 17, 2009. Hold Time is the follow-up to his 2006 album Post-War and its companion EP To Go Home in 2007....
.
Denny Laine
Denny Laine
Denny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
, guitarist of Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
and Moody Blues fame, covered the song on his 1977 Buddy Holly tribute Album Holly Days
Holly Days
Holly Days is the second album by guitarist Denny Laine, released in 1977. It is a tribute to singer-songwriter Buddy Holly.- Background :The album was produced by Paul McCartney, who also played most of the instruments on the album...
.
Marshall Crenshaw
Marshall Crenshaw
Marshall Crenshaw is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his song "Someday, Someway".-Biography:...
covered the song live, which was released as a bonus track on the reissue of his self titled album
Marshall Crenshaw (album)
Marshall Crenshaw is the debut album by Detroiter Marshall Crenshaw. It featured his breakthrough classic hit, "Someday, Someway", which reached #36 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the summer of 1982, as well as #31 on the Cash Box singles chart. The album spent over six months on the chart, peaking at...
.
Julian Casablancas
Julian Casablancas
Julian Fernando Casablancas is an American singer-songwriter and musician of The Strokes. Casablancas pursued a solo career during The Strokes' hiatus, releasing the album Phrazes for the Young on November 3, 2009....
covered the song for the 2011 Buddy Holly tribute album Rave on Buddy Holly
Rave on Buddy Holly
Rave On Buddy Holly is a compilation album by various artists released on June 28, 2011 through Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group and Hear Music. The title of the tribute album to musician Buddy Holly, who died in a plane crash in 1959 at age 22, refers to the song "Rave On", one of his biggest...
.