Buddy Holly - Maybe baby

"Maybe Baby" was one of Buddy Holly's finest hits, reaching the Top Twenty in 1958 (and, like many of his early recordings, billed to the Crickets, although it's usually reissued on records billed to Buddy Holly). It's been said elsewhere, but it bears repeating, that one of Holly's great gifts to rock music was expanding its melodic parameters without diluting its energy. "Maybe Baby" is a prime instance of that, and it's apparent right from the top. The first few bars go into an arresting minor-key descension very unusual for both rockabilly and for any kind of 1950s rock'n'roll; sweet on the ear, yet shaded with moodiness. The backup vocals are a little indebted to the doo wop harmonic arrangements so common in the late 1950s, yet a little airier than those of either the Black R&B-influenced vocal groups or gospel-colored pop-rock backup singers like the Jordanaires. The song's unusual minor-key-shaded melody is apt for the sentiments of the tune, in which Holly muses about whether the woman he wants will have him someday. It's hopeful and happy, yet somewhat doubtful and imaginary at the same time. The delivery of the song doesn't lack confidence, though; there's oodles of drive in the guitar rhythm, and Holly characteristically extends syllables for all they're worth in the bridge, which comes to an exultant conclusion before heading back in the verse. There were almost infinite possibilities for nonsense syllables in 1950s rock'n'roll, and the backup singers go into some pretty unusual ones in the instrumental break, something along the lines of delicate machine guns in their rapid-fire "dah-dah-dah-dah"s.

Maybe baby, I'll have you
Maybe baby, you'll be true
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me

It's funny honey, you don't care
You never listen, to my prayer
Maybe baby, you will love me some day

Well you are the one that, makes me glad
Any other one that, makes me sad
When some day, you'll want me
Well, I'll be there, wait and see ee ee

Maybe baby, I'll have you
Maybe baby, you'll be true
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me**

Da da ta da da da da da da
Da da ta da da da da da da
Da da ta da da da da da da
Aughaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Well you are the one that, makes me glad
Any other one that, makes me sad
When some day, you'll want me
Well, I'll be there, wait and see ee ee

Maybe baby I'll have you for me