Johnny B. Goode
7. Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
People passing by, they would stop and say
"Oh my 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
"Johnny B. Goode," a song written by Chuck Berry and released in 1958, tells the story of a young, poor, and illiterate boy living in rural Louisiana who becomes the best guitar player in the land. Despite his limited education, Johnny has a natural talent for music, and he spends his days sitting under a tree by the railroad track, playing his guitar and entertaining the passersby. Through time, he gains a reputation for his incredible skills, and people start to come from miles away to hear him play.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
In Louisiana, near New Orleans, situated far away from the city amongst the greenery and trees, there was a wooden home where Johnny B. Goode, a country boy, lived.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
The wooden home was built deep inside the woods surrounded by evergreen trees.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
The home he lived in was a log cabin made with earth and wood.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
The home was inhabited by a boy named Johnny B. Goode who was a country boy at heart.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Despite not having had much education, Johnny B. Goode was an exceptional guitar player with natural talent.
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
Though Johnny may not have had an education, he could still play the guitar exceptionally well, perfectly in tune and with rhythm.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny B. Goode would carry his guitar wherever he went, usually within a sack made of a rough fabric known as gunny.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
He would find an appropriate spot under a tree by the railroad track and sit to play his guitar there.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
The train drivers and engineers would glimpse Johnny sitting under the trees.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
He would play along with the rhythm that the drivers created with the sounds of their train.
People passing by, they would stop and say
Tourists and other travelers who came across this sight would stop and watch him play and then share their appreciation with Johnny.
"Oh my that little country boy could play"
People used to appreciate Johnny's performance and continuously compliment him.
His mother told him "Someday you will be a man
Johnny's mother always encourages him that he will grow up to become an adult, full of knowledge and abilities.
And you will be the leader of a big old band
She further tells him that he will lead a big band with many musicians, and everyone will enjoy his music.
Many people coming from miles around
People from various locations beyond where Johnny lives will travel and come to hear him play his music.
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
People will come to hear him play his music in the evening as the sun sets.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Johnny's mother dreamed of seeing him become famous and have his name in bright lights.
Saying 'Johnny B. Goode tonight'
She wished to see a sign outside the theater with Johnny's name on it stating that he will perform that night because he would become such a famous musician.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind