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.
Reelin' And Rockin'
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I will then again I think I won't
Sometimes I do then again I think I don't
Well I looked at my watch, it was 9:21
We was at a rock 'n' roll dance having nothin' but fun
And we rolled, reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 9:32
There's nothin' I would rather do than dance with you
And we rolled, reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Well till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 9:43
And every time I spinned she spinned with me
And we reelin', reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 9:54
I said, " Dance ballerina girl, go go go!
And we rolled, reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 10:05
Man, I didn't know if I was dead or alive
And I was rollin', reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 10:26
But I'm keep on dancing till I get my kicks
And we reeled, reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 10:28
I gotta get my kicks before it get too late
And we was reelin', reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch, it was 10:29
I had to hold her hand, she's still holdin' mine
And we reeled, reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch and to my surprise
I was dancin' with a woman that was twice my size
I was reelin', reelin' and a rockin'
I was reelin' and a rockin'
Rollin' till the break of dawn
Well I looked at my watch and it was time to go
The band leader said " We ain't playing no more"
And we reelin', reelin' and a rockin'
We was reelin' and a rockin'
Well till the break of dawn
Chuck Berry's song "Reelin' and Rockin'" is about the joy of dancing and having fun. The repeating lyrics of "Sometimes I will then again I think I won't, sometimes I do then again I think I don't" suggest the hesitation and uncertainty that comes with deciding whether or not to dance, particularly with someone else. However, as the song progresses, the singer becomes more and more confident in his decision to keep dancing, even as the night wears on.
The specific times mentioned in the song, such as 9:21 and 10:05, add to the feeling of being caught up in the moment and losing track of time. The singer and his dance partner are described as "reelin' and a rockin'" and "rolling till the break of dawn," emphasizing the physicality and energy of their dancing.
Overall, "Reelin' and Rockin'" is a celebration of youthful exuberance and the freedom of dancing. It captures the joy and excitement that comes from letting loose and having a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I will then again I think I won't
My desires change from moment to moment - I can't make up my mind
Sometimes I do then again I think I don't
Even when I initially decide to do something, I may change my mind and decide not to
Well I looked at my watch, it was 9:21
The singer is keeping track of the time
We was at a rock 'n' roll dance having nothin' but fun
The artist is enjoying himself at a dance
And we rolled, reelin' and a rockin'
The artist and their dancing partner are moving energetically to the music
Rollin' till the break of dawn
The dancing will continue nonstop until daylight
There's nothin' I would rather do than dance with you
The singer is deeply enjoying their partner's company
Every time I spinned she spinned with me
The artist and their partner are in perfect sync while dancing
I said, "Dance ballerina girl, go go go!
The artist is encouraging their partner to keep moving energetically to the music
Man, I didn't know if I was dead or alive
The artist is so caught up in the dancing that they are no longer aware of anything else
But I'm keep on dancing till I get my kicks
The singer is determined to keep dancing until they feel satisfied
I gotta get my kicks before it get too late
The artist isn't sure how much longer the fun will last, so they want to enjoy it while they can
I had to hold her hand, she's still holdin' mine
The singer feels a strong connection to their dancing partner
I was dancin' with a woman that was twice my size
The singer is surprised by their partner's appearance, but still enjoys dancing with them
The band leader said "We ain't playing no more"
The fun is over - the music has stopped
Well till the break of dawn
The dancing continued all night until morning
Lyrics © 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.