Paul McCartney Raps On Buddy Holly Tribute ‘Rave On’

Can you sing any Buddy Holly songs? On a new release called Rave On, a wide variety of artists perform tunes by the rock pioneer.

Sir Paul McCartney pays tribute to one of the Beatles' biggest influences on the cover album out today. He even does some spontaneous "rapping" in parts of the song with his voice altered to where it doesn't even sound like the fab four's bass player, but more like a soulful southern preacher. McCartney's version of "It's So Easy" is easily the stand out track on the record.

Lou Reed's performance of "Peggy Sue" would be a close second, transforming Holly's sweet original into a distorted, mournful song about lost love.

The 19 tracks on this release breathe new life into the songwriting talent of Buddy Holly, who was only 22 when he died in a plane crash in 1959. The collection emphasizes his effect on music that came out after he was gone.

Among the artists on Rave On:

Kid Rock-"Well All Right" (wonder if he'll pull this one out at Cheyenne Frontier Days)

Graham Nash-"

Raining in My Heart"

My Morning Jacket-"True Love Ways"

Cee Lo Green-"(You're So Square) Baby, I Don't Care"

Florence + The Machine-"Not Fade Away"

The Black Keys-"Dearest"

Patti Smith-"Words of Love"

Nick Lowe-"Changing All Those Changes"

Fiona Apple & Jon Brion-"Everyday"

Modest Mouse-"That'll Be The Day"