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.
Almost Grown
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah 'n' I'm doin' all right in school
They ain't said I broke no rule
I ain't never been in Dutch
I don't browse around too much
Don't bother me, leave me alone
Anyway I'm almost grown
I don't run around with no mob
Got myself a little job
I'm gonna buy me a little car
Drive my girl in the park
Don't bother just leave us alone
Anyway we're almost grown
Got my eye on a little girl
Ah, she's really out of this world
When I take her to the dance
She's got to talk about romance
Don't bother just leave us alone
Anyway we're almost grown
You know I'm still livin' in town
But I done married and settled down
Now I really have a ball
So I don't browse around at all
Don't bother just leave us alone
Anyway we're almost grown
Chuck Berry's song "Almost Grown" is a upbeat, catchy tune in which Berry sings about being almost grown up and navigating his way through life. He sings about being a good student who hasn't broken any rules and doesn't get into trouble, about having a job and wanting to buy a car to take his girl to the park. He also talks about wanting to talk about romance with his girl, and being married and settled down, and not browsing around anymore.
Throughout the song, Berry uses the refrain "Don't bother just leave us alone, anyway we're almost grown" as a way to assert his independence and show that he's capable of handling his own life. The song is an upbeat, fun track that showcases Berry's ability to write clever lyrics and catchy hooks.
One of the interesting facts about the song is that it was released in 1959 as the B-side to the single "Little Queenie," which would go on to be a huge hit for Berry. Despite being the B-side, "Almost Grown" still managed to reach number 32 on the pop charts. Another interesting fact is that the song was later covered by the band Steppenwolf in 1968, who recorded a more rock-oriented version of the track.
Line by Line Meaning
(Wow wow) You know I'm almost grown (wow wow)
I am almost an adult now and I am ready to take on the responsibilities of the world.
Yeah 'n' I'm doin' all right in school
I am doing well in school and I am proud of my progress.
They ain't said I broke no rule
I have not done anything wrong that would get me in trouble with the authorities.
I ain't never been in Dutch
I have never been in trouble or faced any serious consequences for my actions.
I don't browse around too much
I don't waste my time on unnecessary things and I am focused on achieving my goals.
Don't bother me, leave me alone
I do not want any interruptions or distractions from anyone. I prefer to be left alone.
Anyway I'm almost grown
Despite my young age, I am almost a mature adult who can handle life's challenges.
I don't run around with no mob
I do not associate myself with any unruly or disreputable groups or individuals.
Got myself a little job
I have a small job that allows me to earn some money and become more independent.
I'm gonna buy me a little car
I am saving up to buy a car, which will give me even more freedom and mobility.
Drive my girl in the park
I want to take my girlfriend to the park and spend quality time with her that is away from everyone else.
Got my eye on a little girl
I have a crush on a girl who I find attractive and interesting.
Ah, she's really out of this world
I think this girl is amazing and special, like no one else I have ever met before.
When I take her to the dance
I want to take her to a dance so we can dance together and have fun.
She's got to talk about romance
I hope that when we go to the dance, she will want to talk about and explore romantic feelings with me.
You know I'm still livin' in town
Even though I have grown up and become more responsible, I am still living in the same place and around the same people.
But I done married and settled down
Despite being young, I have found someone to marry and start a life with. I am no longer just a carefree adolescent.
Now I really have a ball
Now that I am married and settled down, I am having a great time enjoying my life with my partner.
So I don't browse around at all
I am happy and content with my life, so I do not feel the need to seek out new experiences or opportunities.
Don't bother just leave us alone
I want to be left alone with my partner and not be bothered by anyone else.
Anyway we're almost grown
Despite being young and in love, my partner and I are almost mature adults who are building a life together.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgegustavson9663
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH Mark !!!!! I'm 54 yrs old and for whatever reason I've ALWAYS loved Chuck and his music. Ive noodled with guitar since I was about 18 but now decided to try and take it a little further. Learning these beautiful Chuck songs is sooo fun and enlightening. I'd rather be able to play a good Chuck song right, than EVH's "Eruption" etc. Please post more Chuck. Theres a million "Johnny b. Goods" and "Roll Over Bethovens" out there but to see other Chuck songs is soooo AWESOME !!!! I would love to see a "Carol". Again thank you so much for sharing so others can enjoy the guitar and Chuck !!!
@MarkZabel
Sounds great! "Carol" is a good one!
@budandbean1
Really like everything in this lesson, thank you Mark!
@MarkZabel
Thanks Buddy. I quite enjoyed this one, so I'll certainly do another. Any suggestions for another from Chuck Berry?
@budandbean1
I really enjoy most everything Chuck did, the real issue is so many get played a lot like the others, except a few off the wall ones like Ding-a-ling 😉. My all time favorite, sorry Johnny B, is Maybellene. It's simple to play but it'll make your arms fall off after three or four minutes. I didn't know how to do the walk down part of this one until you taught it today. I like the up and downs on the top two or three strings like that. I've learned several by watching you play them in different videos.
@caicharles-classicalguitar8194
Great tutorial Mark and a tribute to the true King of Rock 'n' Roll! RIP Chuck 🎸
@MarkZabel
Thanks! He was a truly great pioneer of Rock and Roll!
@caicharles-classicalguitar8194
Mark Zabel Another Chuck Berry suggestion for you Mark is Maybelene
@0372mr335
Mark. Another great lesson. For some reason I like saying, "you rock". Your lessons are a great learning tool.
@MarkZabel
Thanks!