“I Feel Like Buddy Holly”: A Timeless Echo of Rock and Roll’s Golden Age
There are some songs that, no matter how many years pass, seem to carry the very essence of a particular era, a distilled memory of what it felt like to be alive and listening to the radio. Alvin Stardust’s “I Feel Like Buddy Holly” is undoubtedly one of those. Released in 1984, a year where synthesizers and new wave sounds dominated the airwaves, this gem of a track felt like a delightful, almost rebellious, throwback. It wasn’t about pushing boundaries or embracing the latest trends; it was a heartfelt homage, a warm embrace of rock and roll’s foundational spirit.
For those of us who remember the vibrant, often unpredictable landscape of the UK charts in the mid-eighties, “I Feel Like Buddy Holly” carved out its own special place. It wasn’t a fleeting novelty but a genuine hit, spending a respectable eleven weeks on the UK Singles Chart and peaking proudly at number 7. This was no small feat for a song that, at its core, was a loving pastiche, a deliberate echo of a bygone era. It resonated with listeners precisely because it tapped into something timeless – the enduring appeal of pure, unadulterated rock and roll, delivered with a wink and a knowing smile.
The story behind this particular tune is as intriguing as Alvin Stardust’s own journey through the music industry. Born Bernard William Jewry, he had already tasted fame in the early 1960s as Shane Fenton, scoring hits like “I’m a Moody Guy” before the Beatles truly revolutionized the British music scene. After a decade away from the spotlight, managing artists and performing in smaller venues, he re-emerged in the early 1970s as Alvin Stardust, a leather-clad, scowling, glam-rock persona that perfectly captured the zeitgeist. Hits like “My Coo Ca Choo” and the chart-topping “Jealous Mind” solidified his place as a force in the glam rock movement. But as the 70s faded, so too did some of the initial sparkle of glam.
By the early 80s, Alvin Stardust found a renewed surge of popularity, and it was in this period that “I Feel Like Buddy Holly” came to be. Written and produced by the incredibly talented Mike Batt, the song was a perfect fit for Stardust’s enduring connection to the 50s rock and roll aesthetic. Batt, known for his diverse musical endeavors, including the creation of The Wombles’ novelty hits, clearly understood the nostalgic vein that could be tapped. He crafted a song that wasn’t just about Buddy Holly; it was about the feeling Buddy Holly’s music evoked – the yearning, the innocence, the raw energy that defined the birth of rock and roll.
The meaning of “I Feel Like Buddy Holly” is wonderfully straightforward yet deeply resonant. It’s a declaration of musical identity, a statement that even in a world moving rapidly forward, there’s a profound comfort and truth to be found in the roots of rock and roll. The lyrics, while not overly complex, perfectly encapsulate the feeling of channeling an idol. It’s about letting the spirit of Buddy Holly – and by extension, the entire golden age of 50s rock and roll – flow through you. You can almost hear the slight hiccup in Stardust’s voice, a subtle nod to Holly’s distinctive vocal style, blended with Alvin Stardust’s own polished, slightly theatrical delivery. It’s a song that speaks to the joy of emulation, of finding your own voice within the echoes of those who came before.
For many of us who grew up with the sounds of the 50s as a foundational element of our musical landscape, or who discovered it later through our parents’ record collections, “I Feel Like Buddy Holly” was a delightful confirmation that the spirit of that era was still alive and well. It wasn’t a cynical cash-in; it felt like a genuine tribute, imbued with affection and respect. Alvin Stardust, with his perpetually cool demeanor and sharp, almost menacing stage presence, brought an unexpected charm to this reflective piece. He embodied the rock and roll idol, yet beneath the leather and the scowl, there was a genuine love for the music that shone through. This song, off his 1984 album I Feel Like… Alvin Stardust, became a standout, a testament to his adaptability and enduring appeal across changing musical tastes. It’s a song that invites you to tap your foot, close your eyes, and for just a moment, feel like you’re back in a simpler time, when three chords and a beat were all you needed to set the world alight.
Oldies Songs