SOTW2: Buddy Holly, 'Learning the Game'

This week we're paying a visit to the pantheon.

Buddy Holly's professional career lasted less than two years, cut short by a plane crash in Iowa in February, 1959 (as described by Don McLean in "American Pie"). BH is of the same age, locale and musical background as Elvis. But as Lennon said, "Elvis died in the army." And Buddy Holly lives. His songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists without a break for the past 50 years. His reputation continues to grow.

He's a musician's musician. Keith Richards credits him with inspiring the Stones to create original material. Bruce Springsteen said, "I play Buddy Holly every night before I go on–it keeps me honest!" Paul McCartney made an excellent, adulatory documentary movie about him.

The month before his death, Buddy recorded six songs he had written himself, alone with his acoustic guitar, in his living room. For many years, these were known only in adulterated versions, over-dubbed with a cheap rock-and-roll band and chintzy backing vocals. Included here is the original 'Learning the Game'. All six display a sophistication of personal expression – especially cynical resignation –unheard of in a teenage context in 1959.

Buddy was 22 and a half when he recorded this, and when he died. At that age, John Lennon was recording "Love Me, Do", and Dylan had recorded one album of original material.

But for me, the stories and the loss and the legend are of secondary importance. What really matters is how beautiful and truthful this song is.