The Day the Music Died

[Intro] Three guitars were ringing, three voices filled the night, Three young dreamers chasing stars beneath the neon light. Then February came with a cold and silent sky, And somewhere near Clear Lake, three legends said goodbye. [Verse 1] Buddy had a guitar and a song inside his heart, He made the whole world listen when the jukebox played its part. Ritchie brought the fire, just a young boy with a dream, And Big Bopper made the whole room shake and scream. [Verse 2] They played their final show beneath the winter moon, Never knowing that their voices would be remembered soon. A little plane took off into the Iowa night, And disappeared forever from the morning light. [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the snow was falling, the cold wind cried, Three stars were gone from the rock ’n’ roll sky. [Chorus] On the day the music died, The whole world stopped and wondered why. Buddy, Ritchie, Big Bopper too, The songs they left still carry through. Though the years keep rolling by, Their music never learned to die. On the day the music died, Three legends became stars in the sky. [Verse 3] Buddy sang of love and dreams, of wanting someone near, Ritchie played his guitar like the future had appeared. The Big Bopper brought a rhythm that could shake the floor, And millions heard their records and kept asking for more. [Verse 4] The radio kept playing songs they left behind, And every spinning record brought their memories to mind. A generation grew up with their voices in the air, Three names carved forever in the history they shared. [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the snow was falling, the cold wind cried, Three stars were gone from the rock ’n’ roll sky. [Chorus] On the day the music died, The whole world stopped and wondered why. Buddy, Ritchie, Big Bopper too, The songs they left still carry through. Though the years keep rolling by, Their music never learned to die. On the day the music died, Three legends became stars in the sky. [Guitar Solo] [Clean 1950s electric guitar solo, melodic and emotional, with gentle piano and echoing vocal harmonies underneath] [Bridge] Roger flew that final flight through the frozen night, Four souls disappeared beyond the morning light. But you can't bury a melody, And you can't silence a dream, When the whole world remembers Every note that used to ring. [Final Chorus] On the day the music died, Three young hearts took their final flight. Buddy, Ritchie, Big Bopper too, The world still sings the songs they knew. And every time that old jukebox plays, We remember those unforgettable days. Though the years keep rolling by, Their music never learned to die, No, their music never learned to die. [Outro] So turn up the record, let the old guitars play, Remember three young legends from another yesterday. Buddy, Ritchie, Big Bopper— Your music still survives... And rock ’n’ roll remembers The day the music died.