The song is heavily inspired by Buddy Holly. Musicologist and writer Ian MacDonald writes, "Played a little faster, the song reveals its debt to Buddy Holly's simple three-chords schemes. (Imagine each chorus finishing 'I'll be on my way ah-hey-hey'.)" Everett agrees, writing the song "has strong Holly ties, especially in the duet refrain," as does Lewisohn who calls the song "Hollyesque." The rising and falling chromatic line of the guitar intro comes from the Crickets' cover of "Don't Ever Change", especially the augmented E chord. After measure 11, McCartney's vocal part moves to a descant in parallel thirds above Lennon's, a technique derivative of Holly's normal double-tracked vocal patterns.