Hear Cee Lo Green’s (You’re So Square) “Baby I Don’t Care”: Idolator Premiere

Rock and roll legend Buddy Holly would have turned 75 on September 7 had his life not been taken in a plane crash in 1959, on the infamous “Day The Music Died.” Fortunately, the pioneering Lubbock, Texas rocker’s legacy lives on, as is evidenced by the upcoming compilation Rave On Buddy Holly (out June 28 via Fantasy/Concord), which features covers of his songs by an eclectic array of artists that includes The Voice coach Cee Lo Green (“(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care”), Paul McCartney (“It’s So Easy”), Florence + The Machine (“Not Fade Away”), Kid Rock (“Well All Right”) and Fiona Apple (“Everyday”).

Today we’re honored to premiere Grammy winner Cee Lo’s raucous, rockabilly take on the Jerry Leiber- and Mike Stoller-penned “Baby I Don’t Care.” Hear it below!

American Idol viewers and Lady Gaga fans alike will know Leiber and Stoller’s timeless work from Season 10 contestants Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart and James Durbin performing the pair’s material last month, in an episode that featured Gaga as a mentor.

“(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care” was originally recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957 for his Jailhouse Rock EP. Buddy Holly’s version appeared on his self-titled album that was released the following year.

Both Holly and Green’s versions of the tune come in at under two minutes long, but the giddy punch packed by the classic tale of a guy and his squeaky-clean object of affection is undeniable.

P.S. Who knew that hearing Cee Lo’s soulful croon and yelp rendered with old-school rock reverb would provide so much joy?

[wpaudio url=”//static.idolator.com/uploads/2011/06/05-Youre-So-Square-Baby-I-Dont.mp3″ text=”Cee Lo Green – (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care” dl=”0″] From current radio staples and quirky collaborations to covers of time-honored material, there doesn’t seem to be any vocal limit to what Cee Lo Green has to offer.

Are you digging his take on Buddy Holly’s “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care”? Let us know below or on Facebook or Twitter!