Silvestri grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and attended Teaneck High School. He went to Berklee College of Music for 2 years and is of Italian descent.
Silvestri started his film/television composing career in 1972 at age 21, composing the score for the low-budget action film The Doberman Gang.
From 1977 to 1983, Silvestri served as the main composer for the TV show CHiPs, writing music for 109 of the show's 139 episodes.
Silvestri met director Robert Zemeckis when the two worked together on Zemeckis's 1984 film Romancing the Stone. Since then, Silvestri has composed the music for all of Zemeckis's movies, including the Back to the Future trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Death Becomes Her (1992), Forrest Gump (1994), Contact (1997), Cast Away (2000), The Polar Express (2004), Beowulf (2007), A Christmas Carol (2009), and Flight (2012).
Silvestri is also known for his work on Predator (1987) and Predator 2 (1990), both of which are considered preeminent examples of action/science fiction film scores. Since 2001, Silvestri has also collaborated regularly with director Stephen Sommers, scoring the films The Mummy Returns in 2001, Van Helsing in 2004, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra in 2009. His most recent work includes Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011, The Avengers in 2012 and The Croods in 2013.
Silvestri has also composed music for television shows, including T.J. Hooker (one episode), Starsky & Hutch (three episodes), Tales From The Crypt (seven episodes) and Manimal (five episodes).
In 2013, the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps used portions of the theme from The Abyss as the ballad in their 2013 Drum Corps International World Championship-winning show "E=MC2".
On 31 January 2014, it was announced that a stage musical adaptation of Back to the Future was in production. The show, which is being co-written by original writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, is expected to be performed in 2015, on the 30th anniversary year of the film. Silvestri will team up with Glen Ballard to compose a new score, with the addition of original songs from the film, including "The Power of Love", "Johnny B. Goode", "Earth Angel" and "Mr. Sandman".
Silvestri owns a vineyard, Silvestri Vineyards, located in Carmel Valley, California.
Silvestri has received two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Original Score for Forrest Gump (1994) and one for Best Original Song for "Believe" on The Polar Express soundtrack. He also received two Golden Globe nominations: Best Score for Forrest Gump and Best Song for The Polar Express.
He has also received four Grammy Award nominations, winning two awards – Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, for "Believe" from The Polar Express in 2004 and Best Instrumental Composition, for "Cast Away End Credits" from Cast Away in 2002. His other nomination was for Best Soundtrack Album, for Back to the Future. During the 2005 Grammys, Josh Groban performed "Believe."
He has won the Saturn Award for Best Music three times, for his scores for Predator (1987), Back to the Future Part III (1989/90) and Van Helsing (2004).
On September 23, 2011, he was awarded with the Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award by the City of Vienna at the yearly film music gala concert Hollywood in Vienna.
Johnny B. Goode
Alan Silvestri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods among the evergreen
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well,
But he could play the guitar like ringing a bell.
Go Go
Go Go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
Playing to the rhythm that the drivers made.
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play
His mama told him someday he would be a man,
And he would be the leader of a big old band.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear him play his music when the sun go down
Maybe someday his name would be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.
The lyrics of Johnny B. Goode, a classic rock and roll song by Alan Silvestri, tell the story of a young man from Louisiana named Johnny B. Goode who lived in a log cabin in the woods. Johnny was a talented guitarist, despite never learning how to read or write well. He would carry his guitar in a gunny sack and sit under the trees by the railroad track, playing to the rhythm of the drivers. His mother told him that someday he would be a man and the leader of a big old band, and many people from miles around would come to hear him play. Perhaps one day his name would be in lights, saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight."
The song is not only a tribute to the power of music, but it also reflects the aspirations of many young people from rural areas who dream of making it big. Despite lacking formal education or connections, Johnny B. Goode is able to transcend his circumstances through his immense talent and hard work. The song's catchy chorus, "Go Johnny Go," emphasizes the idea that success is achieved through persistence and dedication.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down Louisiana close to New Orleans,
In the southern part of Louisiana, near New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreen
Deep in the forest among the pine trees.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
A simple but sturdy house built from natural materials.
Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode
This is the home of a young man named Johnny B. Goode, who comes from a rural area.
He never ever learned to read or write so well,
Johnny did not receive a strong education in reading or writing.
But he could play the guitar like ringing a bell.
Despite his lack of formal education, Johnny had a natural talent for playing the guitar.
Go Go
An exclamation urging Johnny to start playing his music.
Go Johnny Go
Encouraging Johnny to continue playing his music with passion and energy.
Go Go
Repeating the call to action for Johnny to play music.
Johnny B. Goode
Referring to Johnny himself, acknowledging his talent and celebrating his name.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny carried his guitar in a large, rough bag.
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
He would go out into nature and play his music near a train track.
Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
The people who worked on the trains would notice Johnny sitting nearby, in a peaceful spot to play his music.
Playing to the rhythm that the drivers made.
Johnny's music would often create a rhythm that complemented the train sounds, or even inspired the engineers to work harder and faster.
People passing by would stop and say
Johnny's music would attract the attention of anyone who walked by, causing them to pause and listen.
Oh my that little country boy could play
There was amazement and admiration expressed towards Johnny's ability to make such great music, despite his rural, unassuming background.
His mama told him someday he would be a man,
Johnny's mother had faith in him and believed that he could grow up to be someone great.
And he would be the leader of a big old band.
Johnny had the potential to lead a large group of musicians and create even greater music together.
Many people coming from miles around
Over time, Johnny's reputation as a talented musician grew, and people would travel from far away to hear him play.
To hear him play his music when the sun go down
When the sun started to set, Johnny's music would often attract a large crowd and create a special energy.
Maybe someday his name would be in lights
Johnny's talent could potentially become so renowned that his name would be featured on a glowing sign that would be visible from far away.
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.
Recognizing Johnny's artistry and celebrating his music, as if it were a special event that should be experienced by everyone in attendance.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
#antonfaster
Johnny B. Goode
Way down Louisiana close to New Orleans,
Way back up in the woods among the evergreen
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well,
But he could play the guitar like ringing a bell.
Go Go
Go Johnny Go
Go Go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
Playing to the rhythm that the drivers made.
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play
His mama told him someday he would be a man,
And he would be the leader of a big old band.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear him play his music when the sun go down
Maybe someday his name would be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.
#antonfaster
Johnny B. Goode
Way down Louisiana close to New Orleans,
Way back up in the woods among the evergreen
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well,
But he could play the guitar like ringing a bell.
Go Go
Go Johnny Go
Go Go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
Playing to the rhythm that the drivers made.
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play
His mama told him someday he would be a man,
And he would be the leader of a big old band.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear him play his music when the sun go down
Maybe someday his name would be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.
EightNickel151
One person wasn’t ready for this yet, but their kids will love it.
Bryan Liguori
I'd phrase it a bit differently but yeah
The Plague Doctor
I wasn’t ready for this yet but my kids are gonna love it. P.s like if you get the reference.
Bryan Liguori
I was about to like until you asked me to 😑
Japie
Awesome for studying
Bryan Liguori
Not even my kids are ready for this yet.
TheRedLizard7780
My dad was not ready for this yet, but I was gonna love it
Diego Alexandre
Eu gostaria muito dessas versão porem sem ter 10 horas seguidas
Respire - Médite - Laisse aller
Epic ;) !!