The Final Collaboration Waylon Jennings Had With Friend and Bandmate Buddy Holly in 1958 and its Posthumous Release

By 1958, Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly had become quick friends after Holly stumbled across the country singer, who was working as a DJ at the time in their hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Shortly after, the two started collaborating with Holly taking Jennings under his wing.

Within a year before Holly’s death on February 3, 1959, the two collaborated on three songs, including Jennings’ first single, a cover of the traditional cajun waltz “Jole Blon.” Holly produced the single for Jennings, the story of a “pretty blonde” who leaves her man flat, which dates back to the early 1900s.

The two also worked on the B-side to “Jole Blon,” “When Sin Stops (Love Begins),” which was originally written by Bob Venable for the Nighthawks. The track also features Holly on electric guitar. Both songs were later released on Jennings’ 1983 compilation In the Beginning.

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[RELATED: The Story Behind Waylon Jennings’ First Single “Jole Blon” and How His Friend and Mentor Buddy Holly Produced It]

“You’re the One”

That year, Jennings returned the favor and co-wrote a song for Holly. Along with singer-songwriter Ray “Slim” Corbin, who was co-owner of the KLLL radio station where Jennings worked, and Holly, the three wrote “You’re the One.” Recorded at the KLLL studio with Holly singing lead vocals and playing acoustic guitar, the song centers around a love sent from heaven above.

A-you’re the one that’s a-causing my blues
You’re the one I don’t want to lose
You’re the one that I’d always choose
You’re the one that’s a-meant for me

A-you’re the one that I’m thinking of
You’re the one that I’ll always love
You’re the one sent from heaven above
You’re the one that’s a-meant for me

Sometimes, you make me feel so bad
You make me cry deep in my heart
I feel like an actor in a play
Who doesn’t fit the part

The song was released with the rockabilly B-side “Love’s Made A Fool Of You,” which Holly wrote with Bob Montgomery. In 1964, “You’re the One” was also released on Holly’s fourth posthumous album, Showcase. The Buddy Holly Story was the first album compilation released in 1959, following Holly’s death and was followed by The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2 in 1960, and Reminiscing in ’63.

“Buddy was the first guy who had confidence in me,” said Jennings in 1999. “Hell, I had as much star quality as an old shoe, but he really liked me and believed in me.”

Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns