Back in the USA
Chuck Berry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 cafe
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a jukebox 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




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: CHUCK BERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

The Quiet Revolution

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:

Scott Dunkirk

This song ALWAYS popped into my mind after deployments.

Richard Scally

Yes, I bet it does no place like home.

J J Rey

100% brother!

CohenGamerTV

Well invadinga. Country for no reason

Scott Dunkirk

@CohenGamerTV where the hell did that come from?

MadMan731

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

GIOVANNIELLO

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

Shadow the Hedgehog

Rest in peace, Chuck Berry. You were one of the Founding Fathers of Rock n' Roll. You paved the roads for many great artists after you.

Kenneth Brown, Jr.

Rock n Roll in it’s FINAST form raw and from the heart! Chuck Berry really had a way of connecting with the ordinary person and everyday life!

Handsome Package

Chuck Berry is “The Heart And Soul Of Rock N Roll”

More Comments

More Versions