Chuck Berry remains an influential figure and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music who first began performing in 1953. Cub Koda wrote, "Of all the early breakthrough rock & roll artists, none is more important to the development of the music than Chuck Berry. He is its greatest songwriter, the main shaper of its instrumental voice, one of its greatest guitarists, and one of its greatest performers." John Lennon was more succinct: "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."
Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986. He received Kennedy Center Honors in 2000 in a "class" with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Plácido Domingo, Angela Lansbury, and Clint Eastwood. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Chuck Berry #5 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. He was also ranked 6th on Rolling Stone's Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of All Time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included three of Chuck Berry's songs (Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Rock & Roll Music), of the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll.
Chuck Berry held a special place, in terms of sound development, in the formation of, Mersey-Beat at Liverpool.
The finest exponent of Chuck Berry, guitar, sound at Liverpool during 1959 to 1963, was Vincent Tow/Ismail, who in turn passed on many of the learned skills to Lennon & McCartney, his friends and colleagues during that period--1959 to 1962/3.
Chuck Berry also influenced many of the great rock 'n' roll bands that we know today including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
School Day
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
American history and practical math
You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
And the guy behind you won't leave you alone
Ring, ring goes the bell
The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
You're lucky if you can find a seat
You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Back in the classroom, open your books
Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks
Soon as three o'clock rolls around
You finally lay your burden down
Close up your books, get outta your seat
Down the halls and into the street
Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Right to the juke joint, you go in
Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go
Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go
Hail, hail rock and roll
Deliver me from the days of old
Long live rock and roll
The beat of the drums, loud and bold
Rock, rock, rock and roll
The feelin' is there, body and soul
Chuck Berry's song School Days tells the story of a typical day in the life of a student in the 1950s. The lyrics paint a picture of a structured day, starting with waking up early to attend school and ending with a trip to the juke joint to unwind with friends and dance to rock and roll music. Throughout the song, the student is faced with challenges, such as a difficult teacher and a crowded lunchroom, but ultimately finds solace in the liberating and energizing power of rock and roll.
The first verse of the song highlights the academic focus of the student's day, with references to American history and practical math. The student is portrayed as hardworking and determined to pass their classes, but is also bothered by an annoying classmate who won't give them space. The ringing of the bell signals a shift in focus to lunchtime, where finding a seat and having time to eat is seen as a stroke of luck. In the third verse, the dismissal bell signals the end of the school day and the start of the student's social life. The student heads to the juke joint, where they drop a coin into the slot and dance with the one they love to the beat of rock and roll. The song ends with a triumphant declaration of the power of rock and roll to lift the spirit and energize the body.
Overall, School Days captures the spirit of the 1950s youth culture, where rock and roll represented a break from the conformity and restraint of mainstream society. The song paints a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs of daily life as a student, and the transformative power of music to elevate our spirits and bring us together.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the mornin' and out to school
Starting the day and heading to school
The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
The teacher is imparting the principles of fair play and honest behavior
American history and practical math
Subjects being taught in school
You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Working hard to pass the classes
Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
Working very hard
And the guy behind you won't leave you alone
Being disturbed by the person behind you
Ring, ring goes the bell
The school bell rings to mark the end of class
The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
Lunch is ready to be served by the cook in the cafeteria
You're lucky if you can find a seat
Finding a place to sit for lunch can be challenging
You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Many students may not have enough time to eat during the lunch break
Back in the classroom, open your books
Returning to class and opening textbooks
Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks
The teacher may seem strict or unapproachable
Soon as three o'clock rolls around
The school day is over at three o'clock
You finally lay your burden down
Feeling relieved to be done with schoolwork for the day
Close up your books, get outta your seat
Packing up and leaving the classroom
Down the halls and into the street
Walking through the halls and out of the school
Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Heading towards the street corner and turning the corner
Right to the juke joint, you go in
Going to the music venue, known as a juke joint or nightclub
Drop the coin right into the slot
Inserting coins in the jukebox to play music
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
Wanting to hear some good music
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
Dancing and spending time with a romantic partner
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the urge to dance all day long
Feeling the music from head to toe
Feeling immersed in the music
Round and round and round we go
Dancing to the music and feeling carefree
Hail, hail rock and roll
Celebrating the greatness of rock and roll music
Deliver me from the days of old
Expressing desire to leave behind the past and embrace new music
Long live rock and roll
Long live the enduring power of rock and roll music
The beat of the drums, loud and bold
The loud and exciting rhythm of the drums
Rock, rock, rock and roll
Continuing to celebrate rock and roll music
The feelin' is there, body and soul
Feeling fully absorbed and enjoying the music body and soul
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack
on Little Marie (Alternate)
Yes, oh yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge, I'll pay
Which love one is calling me, I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my hearth, her Mom and my Marie
It so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee
Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know,
Surely, you have not forgot how much I love you so
If you would remember, Dear, and sometimes talk to me
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.
Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave
You did not want to see me off and promised not to grieve,
My hearth was tore apart as I looked back at my Marie
And there the peace is still remain with you in Tennessee.
I guess I should stop talking, after all you placed the call
But anyway that I can help, you know I'll help you all
Then she spoke and asked me to come back and see Marie
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.