Song by Song: "That'll Be the Day" Quiz

Answer: The Three Tunes

The version with the Three Tunes was recorded on July 22, 1956, before the version with the Crickets', but it was released as a single after the Crickets' version, in September of 1957. Buddy Holly recorded the song again in February of 1957 with the Crickets in Clovis, New Mexico, and it was released as a single in May of 1957 by Brunswick.

While the version with the Three Tunes did not chart, the version with the Crickets peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard's Best Sellers in Stores chart and at number one on the UK Singles chart.

Answer: The Searchers

Directed by John Ford, "The Searchers" was a 1956 western film based on a novel by Alan Le May starring John Wayne as a Civil War veteran. John Wayne repeatedly says, "That'll be the day" in the movie.

The Three Tunes version of "That'll Be the Day" was included on Buddy Holly's last studio album of the same name, released in 1958. The Crickets' version was included on the album "The 'Chirping' Crickets."

Answer: Jerry Allison

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Crickets drummer Jerry Allison suggested Buddy Holly's guitar-picking on "That'll Be the Day" was inspired by the style of Lonnie Johnson, a bluesman from New Orleans. The song's producer, Norman Petty, also received a writing credit.

Answer: Linda Ronstadt

Her version of the song was released as a single from the album with "Crazy" on the B-side. Ronstadt's cover of "That'll Be the Day" peaked at number two on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: The Beatles

The Quarrymen were formed in 1956 by John Lennon as a skiffle group. They recorded "That'll Be the Day" as a demo. Their version of the song is included on "Anthology 1," which was released in 1995.

Answer: cry

The Buddy Holly and the Crickets' version of this song was ranked number 39 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." It hit number two on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

Answer: lie

When the song was recorded in Clovis, New Mexico at the Norman Petty Recording Studio, Buddy Holly played lead guitar and sang while June Clark, Niki Sullivan, Gary Tollett, and Ramona Tollett provided background vocals. Larry Welborn was on bass.

Answer: turtle doving

"Well, you gave me all your loving
And your turtle doving
All your hugs and kisses
And your money too
You know you love me, baby
Still you tell me maybe
That someday well
I'll be through."

In Greek mythology, turtle doves drew Aphrodite's chariot. They are a symbol of love.

Answer: dart

The song makes frequent use of internal rhyme, as here with heart and dart. "That'll Be the Day" has been covered by artists ranging from Skeeter Davis, The Everly Brothers, and Foghat to Bobby Vee, Overboard, and The Ravens.

Answer: boldly

"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."

For the tribute event "Listen to Me: Buddy Holly," which was held at the Music Box Theater in Hollywood on what would have been Buddy Holly's 75th birthday in 2011, Stevie Nicks performed a version of this song with Chris Isaak, Graham Nash, Peter Asher, and Boz Scaggs.