About the Song
Buddy Holly and The Crickets’ “Oh, Boy!” was one of the defining hits of 1957, but its creation involved several changes and behind-the-scenes decisions that would later spark controversy. Originally, the song was written by Sonny West and Bill Tilghman, and it was titled “All My Love,” with the lyrics expressing longing and devotion. However, when Holly and The Crickets recorded their version, they altered the lyrics and the title, giving it a more punchy, energetic feel. Buddy’s line, “All my love, all my kissing, you don’t know what you’ve been missing” replaced the original version, adding to the song’s intensity and appeal.
Released on October 27, 1957, “Oh, Boy!” quickly became a hit. While the songwriting credit officially listed Sonny West, Bill Tilghman, and Norman Petty, Petty’s involvement as a co-writer became a point of contention later on. Petty, the producer, had played a significant role in shaping the sound, but West, in a 2002 interview, expressed frustration with Petty’s claims to the songwriting credit, stating that while he was compensated for his work, Petty had no reason to take publishing rights. Despite the controversy, Petty’s name appeared as a co-writer, not just on “Oh, Boy!”
To enhance the track, Petty brought in a local trio, The Picks, to add vocal harmonies. The Picks—John and Bill Pickering and Bob Lapham—had known Petty for years and contributed to many of Holly’s hits, including those that appeared on Holly’s debut album The “Chirping” Crickets, released in November 1957. The recording was so energetic that despite an audible cough at one point, Petty decided to keep the take as is.
The B-side of “Oh, Boy!” was “Not Fade Away,” another song that became a hit and was later famously covered by The Rolling Stones. The success of “Oh, Boy!” and its B-side helped solidify Holly and The Crickets’ place in rock & roll history, even as the songwriting credits remained a topic of debate. Later, in 1958, Holly would release another track written by West and Tilghman called “Rave On”, which also saw Petty listed as a co-writer, further fueling the questions around his influence on Holly’s work.
“Oh, Boy!” remains one of Buddy Holly’s most influential songs, celebrated for its infectious energy and for the ongoing impact it had on rock music, paving the way for future rock pioneers.
Lyrics
All of my love, all of my kissin’
You don’t know what you’ve been a-missin’
Oh boy, when you’re with me, ho boy
The world can see that you were meant for me
All of my life I’ve been a-waitin’
Tonight there’ll be no hesitatin’
Oh boy, when you’re with me, ho boy
The world can see that you were meant for me
Stars appear and shadows a-fallin’
You can hear my heart callin’
And a little bit of lovin’ makes everything right
I’m gonna see my baby tonight
All of my love, all of my kissin’
You don’t know what you’ve been a-missin’
Oh boy, when you’re with me, ho boy
The world can see that you were meant for me
Dum di dum dum, ho boy
Dum di dum dum, ho boy
All of my love, all of my kissin’
You don’t know what you’ve been a-missin’
Oh boy, when you’re with me, ho boy
The world can see that you were meant for me
All of my life I’ve been a-waitin’
Tonight there’ll be no hesitatin’
Oh boy, when you’re with me, ho boy
The world can see that you were meant for me
Stars appear and the shadows a-fallin’
You can hear my heart callin’
And a little bit of lovin’ makes everything right
And I’m gonna see my baby tonight
All of my love, all of my kissin’
You don’t know what you’ve been a-missin’
Oh boy, when you’re with me, ho boy
The world can see that you were meant for meAdvertisement
