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.
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Chuck Berry Lyrics
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If you can't come around a least please telephone
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Baby if I made you mad for somethin' I might have said
Please let's forget the past the future looks bright ahead
Don't be cruel I got a heart so true
I don't want no other love honey it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Then you gonna have me baby I got a little bitty your love too
And don't don't don't don't be cruel
I don't want no other love honey it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Hey don't stop thinkin' about me and don't make me feel this way
Come on over here and love me you know what I want you to say
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Well I don't want no other love honey it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Why should we be apart I really love you baby cross my heart
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's song "Don't Be Cruel" express a plea to a loved one not to be cruel to a heart that is true. The singer reveals that they have been sitting at home alone and asks the person not to be cruel by not coming around and at least giving them a phone call. The singer acknowledges that they may have made the other person mad with something they said, but they ask to forget the past and instead focus on the bright future ahead. They express their sincere love, stating that they don't want any other love, but only think of the person they are singing to. The singer suggests taking their love to the next level by getting married, emphasizing their commitment to the person and expressing their eagerness to have them. The song concludes with the plea to not stop thinking about the singer and not to make them feel this way. The singer wants the person to come over, express their love, and confirm their desire for a relationship. They ask the person not to be cruel to a heart that is true and questions why they should be apart when the singer genuinely loves them.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I can be found sittin' home all alone
I'm often alone at home and easily accessible
If you can't come around a least please telephone
If you can't visit, at least call me
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Please be kind to someone who genuinely loves you
Baby if I made you mad for somethin' I might have said
If something I said made you angry, baby, forgive me
Please let's forget the past the future looks bright ahead
Let's leave the past behind, as our future holds promise
Don't be cruel I got a heart so true
Be kind, I have a loyal and sincere heart
I don't want no other love honey it's just you I'm thinkin' of
I don't desire anyone else's love, honey, you're on my mind
Let's walk up to the preacher and let us say I do
Let's get married and declare our commitment
Then you gonna have me baby I got a little bitty your love too
You'll have all of me, baby, and I have a small portion of your love as well
And don't don't don't don't be cruel
Please, please, please, don't be unkind
Hey don't stop thinkin' about me and don't make me feel this way
Hey, keep me in your thoughts and don't make me feel neglected
Come on over here and love me you know what I want you to say
Come closer and express your love, you know what I desire to hear
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Please don't be unkind to a loyal heart
Well I don't want no other love honey it's just you I'm thinkin' of
I don't want anyone else's love, honey, you're my only focus
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Please, don't be unkind to a loyal heart, don't be unkind to a loyal heart
Why should we be apart I really love you baby cross my heart
Why should we be separated? I truly love you, baby, I promise
Lyrics © DistroKid, BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Presley, Otis Blackwell
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.