Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
Go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by they would stop and say
"Oh my what that little country boy could play"
Go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Go Johnny go go
Johnny B. Goode
His mother told him "someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
The lyrics to Chuck Berry’s hit song “Johnny B. Goode” describe the life of a talented young musician who grows up in Louisiana in a log cabin deep in the woods. Although Johnny is not well-educated, he has a natural talent for playing the guitar that is unmatched. The song describes Johnny playing his guitar by the railroad track, and people stopping to listen to him play. Johnny’s mother has faith in his musical abilities, telling him that one day he will be the leader of a big band and his name will be in lights. The song ends with calls for Johnny to keep on playing and reaching for his dreams.
The lyrics to “Johnny B. Goode” are autobiographical, describing aspects of Chuck Berry’s own life growing up in Missouri. Berry was a skilled guitar player and a charismatic performer, and his musical legacy helped shape the future of rock and roll. This song was widely popular when it was released in the 1950s and has been covered by many other artists over the years. Its enduring popularity has made it a classic rock and roll song.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Goode, the singer of the song, hails from Louisiana and more specifically, he belongs to an area that's in proximity to New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Johnny's abode is situated in a woody region among tall, evergreen trees located far from the city.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Johnny's home is depicted as a basic log cabin built from earthen material and crude wooden logs.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny is introduced as a simple, rustic boy from rural America.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny was not educationally advanced and did not possess good reading or writing skills.
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
Despite his lack of formal education, Johnny was incredibly talented in playing his guitar, comparable to the sound of a ringing bell.
Go go
The song's rhythm is about to speed up and Johnny is about to be encouraged to perform.
Go Johnny go go
Johnny is being cheered and prodded to play his guitar even better and more energetically.
Go Johnny go go
This line is repeated to reinforce the encouragement for Johnny to keep up his spirited playing and to urge him to continue playing well.
Go Johnny go go
There is a tremendous energy generated by the crowd demanding that Johnny continue to play the guitar feverishly.
Go Johnny go go
The crowd is in complete rapture with Johnny's guitar-playing abilities and they want him to continue performing.
Johnny B. Goode
This is Johnny's full name- the artist of the song.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny would carry his guitar in a coarse cloth sack, also known as a gunny sack, as he traveled around town.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Johnny would sit beneath a tree right next to a set of railroad tracks to play his guitar and attract attention.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
The engineers who travel on trains frequently would notice Johnny sitting beneath the tree in the shade.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny would strum his guitar in rhythm with the drivers of the nearby trains and capture their attention with his music.
The people passing by they would stop and say
Johnny's guitar playing was so impressive that passerby’s would stop to listen and pay him compliments.
"Oh my what that little country boy could play"
A common response from those who heard him play was to exclaim about Johnny's immense musical talent despite his humble beginnings as a country boy.
His mother told him "someday you will be a man
Johnny's mother always held great aspirations for her son and frequently reminded him that someday he will grow up to become a fine man.
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Johnny's mother envisioned her son as the frontman of a large musical group that would bring joy and entertainment to people for miles around.
Many people coming from miles around
People travel great distances to hear Johnny perform live, and his music has a broad appeal.
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Audiences particularly enjoy listening to Johnny play his music once the day is over and the sun begins to set.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Johnny's mom predicts that someday her son's name will show up in big, bright lights that announce Johnny B. Goode's musical performance.
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
The sign advertising Johnny’s musical performance literally reads, 'Johnny B. Goode (Tonight)' which draws great crowds and inspires people to come and see him play.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind