Back in the USA
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today,
We touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from over the seas to the U. S. A.

New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St. Lou.
Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
From the coast of California to the shores of Delaware Bay
You can bet your life I did, till I got back to the U. S. A.

Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner cafÚFFFFE9
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a juke-box jumping with records like in the U.S.A.

Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.

Yes. I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Anything you want, we got right here in the U.S.A.

Overall Meaning

Chuck Berry's song Back in the USA is an upbeat celebration of American culture and life. The chorus, "Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A./Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A./Anything you want, we got right here in the U.S.A.," expresses the sentiment of the song, that there's no place like home. Berry highlights some of America's great cities, from New York to Los Angeles, as well as smaller towns, like Chattanooga and Baton Rouge. The song is a testament to the American dream and the idea that you can find anything you need in the U.S.A, from the iconic drive-in to the corner café.


The verses of the song describe the singer's journey back home to America. The first verse references an international runway, implying that the singer has just arrived from a foreign country. The second verse mentions the singer's longing for cities he missed while he was away, such as New York and Los Angeles. He also mentions smaller towns, like Chattanooga and Baton Rouge, as well as his hometown of St. Louis. In the final verse, the singer is searching for classic American attractions, like drive-ins and diners, that he missed while he was away.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today
I am feeling absolutely ecstatic today


We touched ground on an international runway
The plane landed on a runway that's used by international flights


Jet propelled back home, from over the seas to the U.S.A.
The plane's engines thrust it back towards the US, across the ocean


New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
I longed to be in these cities so much


Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
As well as these other cities


Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St. Lou
Not to mention just being back in St. Louis, my original home


Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
Did I ever miss those tall buildings and those endless highways?


From the coast of California to the shores of Delaware Bay
From the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean


You can bet your life I did, till I got back to the U.S.A.
I absolutely did, until I finally made it back to America


Looking hard for a drive in, searching for a corner cafe
I'm on the hunt for a classic American drive-in or a corner cafe


Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Where they are always cooking hamburgers on an open grill, 24/7


Yeah, and a jukebox jumping with records like in the U.S.A.
And there are jukeboxes playing great music, just like in the USA


Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
I'm thrilled to be living in America


Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Yes, I'm really happy to be living here


Anything you want, we got right here in the U.S.A.
Anything you could want is available right here in the United States




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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@thequietrevolution7390

Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today
We just touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from overseas to the U. S. A.

New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St. Lou

Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
From the coast of California to the shores of the Delaware Bay
You can bet your life I did, till I got back in the U. S. A.

Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner café
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a juke-box jumping with records like in the U.S.A.

Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Anything you want, we got it right here in the U.S.A.

I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.



@DouglasUrantia

This should be the USA National Anthem.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today
We just touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from overseas to the U. S. A.

New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St. Lou

Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
From the coast of California to the shores of the Delaware Bay
You can bet your life I did, till I got back in the U. S. A.

Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner café
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a juke-box jumping with records like in the U.S.A.

Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Anything you want, we got it right here in the U.S.A.

I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.



All comments from YouTube:

@scottdunkirk6710

This song ALWAYS popped into my mind after deployments.

@richardscally694

Yes, I bet it does no place like home.

@joquinr447

100% brother!

@cohengamertv6548

Well invadinga. Country for no reason

@scottdunkirk6710

@@cohengamertv6548 where the hell did that come from?

@RichRogerson-o4w

I understand. I'm a navy vet. I've been more places than over half of the United States population.

@MadMan731

If this song doesn't make you want to dance you may be dead.

@JeffGiovanniello

I"m dead, but I'm dancing. We need more of this

@ndogg20

Some idiot blasting this song from a car radio by a graveyard is what started the Zombie Apocalypse.

@dekusquad2384

Still listening to Chuck in 2024

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