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.
C.C. Rider
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Oh see, what you have done
(Yea yea yea)
I said C. (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
Oh see, (C. C. Rider) what you have done
(Yea yea yea)
Now, now, now, now your loving man has gone
(C. C. Rider) Girl what'd I say (C. C. Rider)
Well, I'm going away, baby
And I won't be back 'til fall
(Yea, yea, yea)
And I'm going away baby
And I won't be back 'til fall
(Yea, yea, yea)
If I find me a good girl
I won't, I won't, I won't be back at all
Girl what'd I say, I said C., (C. C. Rider)
C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
Oh see (C. C. Rider) what you have done
Yea, yea, yea
I said C. (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
Oh see, (C. C. Rider) what you have done
(Yea yea yea)
Oh girl, you made me love you
Now, now, now, now your loving man has gone
Play it JB,
(C. C. Rider)
(C. C. Rider)
(Yea yea yea)
(Yea yea yea)
Who, hear what I say
I said C. (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I-Oh see, (C. C. Rider) what you have done (Yea yea yea)
I said C. (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
Oh see, (C. C. Rider) what you have done (Yea yea yea)
Oh girl, you made me love you
Now, now, now, now your loving man has gone
Well what I say
Now I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C. (C. C. Rider)
Chuck Berry's "C.C. Rider" is a blues song that expresses the despair of a man whose loved one has left him. The singer addresses the woman who has caused his grief, telling her to "see what you have done." He repeats the chorus "C.C. Rider" several times, which is a reference to a prostitute who roamed the streets of New Orleans in the early 20th century. The man is devastated by the fact that he has fallen in love with her, but she has left him.
The lyrics convey the deep pain and longing that the man experiences, and he declares that he will not return until fall, indicating that he needs time to heal. He hints that he may find another woman, but it is clear that his heart remains with the one who left him. The bridge of the song features a guitar solo by Berry, a testament to his formidable skills as a musician.
Overall, "C.C. Rider" is a classic blues song that showcases Berry's talent as both a songwriter and guitarist. It is a poignant reminder of the complexities of love and the pain that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I said C., C. C. Rider
The singer is addressing a person named C. C. Rider, repeating their name to get their attention
Oh see, what you have done (Yea yea yea)
The singer is calling out C. C. Rider for causing something to happen, possibly of a negative nature
Oh girl, you made me love you
Now, now, now, now your loving man has gone
(C. C. Rider) Girl what'd I say (C. C. Rider)
The singer is blaming C. C. Rider for causing their lover to leave them, possibly due to C. C. Rider's interference or involvement with the relationship
Well, I'm going away, baby
And I won't be back 'til fall
(Yea, yea, yea)
And I'm going away baby
And I won't be back 'til fall
(Yea, yea, yea)
If I find me a good girl
I won't, I won't, I won't be back at all
Girl what'd I say, I said C., (C. C. Rider)
C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
Oh see (C. C. Rider) what you have done
Yea, yea, yea
The artist is leaving town and implies that they will only return if they find someone better than C. C. Rider, insinuating that they are not satisfied with the attention and love they received from C. C. Rider. They again call out C. C. Rider for causing their troubles
Play it JB,
(C. C. Rider)
(C. C. Rider)
(Yea yea yea)
(Yea yea yea)
The artist addresses someone named JB, possibly a band member or musician, and instructs them to play music. C. C. Rider is mentioned again, possibly as a command to play a musical riff or chord that corresponds to the name
Who, hear what I say
I said C. (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I-Oh see, (C. C. Rider) what you have done (Yea yea yea)
The singer is asking if anyone is listening and repeats the name C. C. Rider to emphasize their point. They once again mention the idea that C. C. Rider has caused something to happen
Now, now, now, now your loving man has gone
Well what I say
Now I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C., (C. C. Rider) C. C. Rider (C. C. Rider)
I said C. (C. C. Rider)
The singer repeats the same lines from earlier in the song, reminiscing on the outcome of their relationship with C. C. Rider and pointing out once again how they have caused the singer's lover to leave them
Lyrics © WYNWOOD MUSIC CO. INC.
Written by: JOHN S HURT
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.