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.
Bon Soir Cherie
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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It's time to go now
Arrivederci, tally-ho, au revoir, adio
You've been so wonderful, I don't wish to go
But this completes my show
Bonsoir, chrie, Je vous partir
Bonsoir, chrie, Je vous partir
Bonsoir, chrie, bonsoir
Be strong, Pierre, hang on chrie
Avec plaisir, as you know
It's been beautiful, it's been mellow
That is why I don't want to go, oh no!
Good night, sweetheart, I got to go now
Time won't permit me to play no more now
But I'll be back to do another show now
So good night, so long, bye, bye
In Chuck Berry's song Bon Soir Cherie, the singer bids farewell to his sweetheart and the audience after completing his show. He uses various phrases from different languages such as "Arrivederci", "tally-ho", "au revoir", and "adio" which mean goodbye in Italian, British English, French, and Spanish, respectively. He appreciates the wonderful time he had on stage but reveals his reluctance to part ways. He uses endearing terms like "chérie" which means dear and expresses his love for his sweetheart. He encourages Pierre to be strong and expresses his pleasure at being with his sweetheart.
The song is a blend of rock and roll with hints of jazz, blues, and swing music. It was released in November 1964 and was received positively by both fans and critics. It is a testament to Chuck Berry's musical prowess with his signature guitar riffs and catchy lyrics. Bon Soir Cherie is a classic example of Berry's ability to draw on various musical influences to create a unique sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Good night, sweethearts
Chuck Berry greets his fans politely as the show comes to an end.
It's time to go now
Chuck Berry tells his fans that the show is over, and it's time to leave.
Arrivederci, tally-ho, au revoir, adio
Chuck Berry says goodbye to the fans and wishes them farewell using different languages.
You've been so wonderful, I don't wish to go
Chuck Berry expresses gratitude and praises the audience for their energy and enthusiasm, making it hard for him to leave.
But this completes my show
Chuck Berry tells the audience that the show has indeed ended, and there is no further performance.
Bonsoir, chrie, Je vous partir
Chuck Berry bids farewell to the ladies in the crowd beautifully in French.
Bonsoir, chrie, Je vous partir
Chuck Berry repeats his goodbye in French as it sounds very amorous.
Je vous aime, beaucoup chrie
Chuck Berry tells the ladies how much he loves them in French elegantly.
Bonsoir, chrie, bonsoir
Chuck Berry bids adieu to the ladies one last time with a romantic French goodbye.
Be strong, Pierre, hang on chrie
Chuck Berry encourages Pierre(the drummer) to finish strong by using his nickname and saying hang on, my darling.
Avec plaisir, as you know
Chuck Berry thanks his drummer in French by saying with pleasure, as you already knew.
It's been beautiful, it's been mellow
Chuck Berry reflects on the show and how it was a beautiful and soulful experience.
That is why I don't want to go, oh no!
Chuck Berry finds it tough to leave the stage after having an awesome time with the crowd.
Good night, sweetheart, I got to go now
Chuck Berry informs the audience once again that he has to depart for the night.
Time won't permit me to play no more now
Chuck Berry explains that he cannot play for a longer time as he has other commitments to attend to.
But I'll be back to do another show now
Chuck Berry promises the audience that he will return for another show in the future.
So good night, so long, bye, bye
Chuck Berry bids a final farewell to the audience with a collection of friendly goodbyes.
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.