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.
Around And Around
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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A goin' 'round and round
Yeah reelin' and a rockin' what a crazy sound
Well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down
Oh it sounds so sweet I gotta take me a chance
Rose out of my seat just had to dance
Started movin' my feet well a clappin' my hands
Rockin' going 'round and around
Yeah reelin' and a rockin' what a crazy sound
A well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down
Twelve o'clock
Well the place as packed
Front doors was locked
Well the place was packed
When the police knocked
Both doors flew back
But they kept on a
Rockin' going 'round and around
Yeah reelin' and a rockin' what a crazy sound
A well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down
Well they kept on rockin' going 'round and around
Yeah reelin' and a rockin' what a crazy sound
A well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down
Chuck Berry's "Around and Around" tells the story of a wild night out, possibly at a club or a concert, where the party-goers were dancing and singing continuously without any break. The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song by stating that the joint was rocking, indicating an atmosphere of fun, excitement, and frenzy. The lyrics emphasize movement and sound, highlighting the music's frenzied quality, by using phrases such as "going 'round and round," "reeling and a rocking," and "what a crazy sound."
Chuck Berry himself often played at the Gaslight Square entertainment district in St. Louis, where he lived, and "Around and Around" was written during this period. The song represents the classic Rock n Roll sound of the 1950s, with its repetitive lyrics, fast-paced beat, and guitar riffs. The song's chorus, "Well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down," creates a sense of urgency and pure pleasure, leading the listener to picture a night of endless dancing and wildness.
In the third verse, the music is so rocking that the police show up to shut it down, but even with the front door locked, the party continues on. This lyric is indicative of the societal tensions of the time, as Rock n Roll music was often criticized as being inciting to reckless behavior, leading to the police shutting down clubs and performances. However, this song shows that the spirit of rock and roll could not be suppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the joint was rockin'
It is said that the place where the music was played was lively and dynamic.
A goin' 'round and round
The music was repetitive and continuous in its rhythm.
Yeah reelin' and a rockin' what a crazy sound
The musical tune was intense and chaotic with a lot of energy.
Well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down
The musical performance continued non-stop for a long time and did not end until morning.
Oh it sounds so sweet I gotta take me a chance
The sound of the music was so enticing that it made the listener want to participate and dance.
Rose out of my seat just had to dance
The rhythm of the music was so captivating that the listener had to stand up and dance.
Started movin' my feet well a clappin' my hands
The listener started to dance and clap along with the music.
Well the joint started
The place where the music was played became more exciting and lively.
Twelve o'clock
It was midnight.
Well the place as packed
The location where the music was played was crowded and full of people.
Front doors was locked
The entrance to the place was closed and locked, indicating that the musical performance had reached its capacity.
When the police knocked
The police arrived and attempted to stop the musical performance.
Both doors flew back
The doors were forcefully opened by the police.
But they kept on a
Despite the police intervention, the music and dance continued.
Well they kept on rockin' going 'round and around
The continuous and energetic rhythm of the music continued, despite the police disrupting the event.
Yeah reelin' and a rockin' what a crazy sound
The music continued to be vibrant and energetic, despite the police intervention.
A well they never stopped rockin' till the moon went down
The musical performance continued until the early morning, when the moon had set.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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.