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.
Brenda Lee
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Glady as a butterfly
Bobby sock, ponytail
Snuffy to the flirty guys
T'was only one thing on her mind
And that was getting out of Central High
Brenda Lee, she's a sophomore
She's growing up so fast
Studied as the days went by
She's ranking third in our class, in her second year at Central High
Brenda Lee, she's a senior
And brighter than the summer sky
She didn't dance, didn't date
Always had an alibi
But she shook up everybody at the prom dance at Central High
Brenda Lee, she's a beauty
She came in with a handsome guy
She sang songs, she entertained
And waved her alma mater goodbye
And had reporters take some pictures on her walking out of Central High
The song "Brenda Lee" by Chuck Berry is a story of a girl named Brenda Lee, who goes through her high school years and comes out a beauty in the end. The opening lyrics describe Brenda as a cutie and as happy as a butterfly. She wears her bobby socks and ponytail and is flirtatious with the guys in her high school, while only having one thing on her mind - leaving Central High. Brenda Lee spends her sophomore year growing up quickly and studying hard. She ranks third among her classmates during her second year. The final verse fast-forwards to Brenda during her senior year, where she has transformed into an even brighter beauty than before, yet she still does not date or dance. Brenda's shining moment happens at the prom dance, where she entertains everyone in attendance and then waves goodbye to her alma mater. She then leaves Central High and has reporters take pictures of her departure.
Overall, the lyrics of "Brenda Lee" represent the coming-of-age story of a young girl. She starts off as a flirty and enthusiastic teenager, grows into a responsible student and then blossoms into a beautiful young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Chuck Berry's narration captures the essence of high school life in a lighthearted and playful manner, with catchy music and lyrics that still resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Brenda Lee, she's a cutie
Brenda Lee is a very attractive person
Glady as a butterfly
She is happy like a butterfly
Bobby sock, ponytail
She wears bobby socks and has a ponytail hairstyle
Snuffy to the flirty guys
She rejects advances from men who are trying to flirt with her
T'was only one thing on her mind
Her main focus was to leave Central High School
Brenda Lee, she's a sophomore
Brenda is in her second year at Central High School
I never saw her laugh or cry
Brenda does not publicly express her emotions
She's growing up so fast
Brenda is maturing quickly
Studied as the days went by
She is dedicated to her studies
She's ranking third in our class, in her second year at Central High
Brenda is currently ranked third in her class at Central High School in her second year
Brenda Lee, she's a senior
Brenda is now in her final year at Central High School
And brighter than the summer sky
She is very intelligent
She didn't dance, didn't date
Brenda did not participate in social activities like dancing or dating
Always had an alibi
She always had a reason for not participating in those activities
But she shook up everybody at the prom dance at Central High
Brenda surprised everyone by attending the prom dance and participating fully
She came in with a handsome guy
She arrived at the prom with an attractive male companion
She sang songs, she entertained
Brenda performed and provided entertainment at the event
And waved her alma mater goodbye
She said farewell to her school as she graduated
And had reporters take some pictures on her walking out of Central High
Reporters took photos of her leaving the school after graduation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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.