In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, you give me all your loving and your turtle doving
All your hugs and kisses and your money too
Well, you know you love me, baby, still you tell me maybe
That some day, well, I'll be through
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, when Cupid shot his dart he shot it at your heart
So if we ever part and I leave you
You sit and hold me and you tell me boldly
That some day, well, I'll be through
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, that'll be the day, hoo-hoo
Well, that'll be the day, hoo-hoo
Well, that'll be the day, hoo-hoo
Well, that'll be the day
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, you give me all your loving and your turtle doving
All your hugs and kisses and your money too
Well, you know you love me, baby, still you tell me maybe
That some day, well, I'll be through
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, when Cupid shot his dart he shot it at your heart
So if we ever part and I leave you
You sit and hold me and you tell me boldly
That some day, well, I'll be through
Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that'll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave, you know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day when I die
Well, that'll be the day, hoo-hoo
Well, that'll be the day, hoo-hoo
Well, that'll be the day, hoo-hoo
Well, that'll be the day
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
That'll Be the Day Lyrics as written by Jerry Allison Buddy Holly
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Word Collections Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love that classic rock from the 50s & early 60s. Great song.
I don't know how true it is, but I have heard this was the number one song on the day that Buddy Holly died in a plane crash. Could be a rumor though.
@Ferthuko It actually topped the charts exactly 500 days before he died
It is criminal that I am only the 5th person to post for this song.
The meaning is fairly obvious however.
I've always liked Buddy Holly even though he's about the earliest thing I listen to. The song American Pie, or whatever its called, references this song and Buddy Hollys death along with two other artists cause I'm pretty sure the name of the plane that crashed was miss american pie.
@PlutonianDoll No it wasn't.
It's good Buddy’s getting this attention. :)
Don McLean’s song “American Pie” did make reference to this song and to the day of the plane crash; however, please let me make two notes about the comments above:
The plane was not named “American Pie” or “Miss American Pie.”
This was not the #1 song on the day of the plane crash.
Since I wrote the post, I have read that the name of the plane was not American Pie, (thanks to snopes) and Don McLean did not name the song after Miss America. The other two people in the plane were Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson. And Im sure this is true but Valens switched with Waylen Jennings to go on the plane.
@PlutonianDoll Valens bugged Jennings all night to take his seat because he had never been on a plane.Jennings finally flipped the coin near the end of the night and Valens won the toss.
PlutonianDoll, another thing I heard about Waylon Jennings is that Buddy was joking around with Waylon saying that he hoped he froze on the bus, and Waylon joked back to Buddy saying, "Well I hope your plane crashes". That's really sad. It crushed Waylon for the longest time... he felt horrible for saying it.
Great song, an enduring classic! I bet more people have heard this song and dont even know who it was sun by.
My ringtone.