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.
California
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Much has been told me about your beautiful sunshine
Mountains and snow tops, valleys and rich crops
California, home so far from mine
San Francisco, Sacramento
Will I ever go to Los Angeles or San Diego ?
To Reading or Fresno
Someday I will be in California
And go to places movie stars have been
Hollywood and trolley cars and oranges
And see the palm trees bending in the wind
California, California
Soon I'll be with you watching your sunset in the evening
Movies and show plays, beaches and free ways
California, from my home I'll be leaving
California, California
Soon I'll be with you watching your sunset in the evening
Movies and show plays, beaches and free ways
California, for my home I'm leaving
In Chuck Berry's iconic song "California," the singer expresses his desire and longing to visit the beautiful state and discover all of its wonders. He has heard much about California's sunny weather, beautiful mountains, snow tops, valleys, and rich crop fields. The lyrics take the listener on a journey through the different cities and locations of California, imagining what they would look like, and expressing the singer's curiosity about these different places. He mentions San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles or San Diego, Reading or Fresno, Needs, or Borstow, and Hollywood where the movie stars reside. The chorus of the song repeats the line "California, California, Soon I'll be with you watching your sunset in the evening, Movies and show plays, beaches and freeways, California, from my home I'll be leaving" expressing the singer's eagerness to visit the state and also his sadness to leave his home to do so.
The lyrics of "California" are essentially a love letter to the state of California. By romanticizing the different cities in California, Chuck Berry was able to convey his fondness for the state and its natural beauty. While the repeated chorus underlines that he is still far from the place he imagines, the different cities and locations that he describes allow the listener to visualize these places too. The song was part of a wave in the 1960s, known as "West Coast sound" through which the region became associated with rock and roll and innovative music.
Line by Line Meaning
California, California
Chuck Berry is speaking directly to the state of California, expressing excitement and anticipation for his eventual arrival there.
Much has been told me about your beautiful sunshine
Chuck Berry has heard many things about California's sunny and warm climate and is looking forward to experiencing it for himself.
Mountains and snow tops, valleys and rich crops
Chuck Berry has heard about California's diverse geography, which includes both snow-capped mountains and fruitful valleys.
California, home so far from mine
Chuck Berry is acknowledging the distance between his current home and California, but is still eager to make the journey.
Will I ever go to Los Angeles or San Diego ?
Chuck Berry is pondering whether he will ever get the chance to visit some of California's most iconic cities.
To Reading or Fresno
Chuck Berry is considering some of the lesser-known cities in California that he may want to visit.
Needles or Borstow, California I have so far to go
Chuck Berry understands that there are many different cities and regions in California that he has yet to explore.
Someday I will be in California
Chuck Berry is confident in his eventual arrival in California and is eagerly anticipating the experience.
And go to places movie stars have been
Chuck Berry is excited to visit some of the famous locations frequented by Hollywood celebrities.
Hollywood and trolley cars and oranges
Chuck Berry is specifically referring to some of the iconic symbols and locations associated with California, such as Hollywood, trolley cars, and oranges.
And see the palm trees bending in the wind
Chuck Berry is looking forward to experiencing the natural beauty of California, specifically mentioning the swaying palm trees.
Soon I'll be with you watching your sunset in the evening
Chuck Berry is confident that he will soon be in California to witness the beautiful sunsets that the state is known for.
Movies and show plays, beaches and free ways
Chuck Berry is excited about the many different activities and attractions that California offers, including movies, shows, beaches, and highways.
California, from my home I'll be leaving
Chuck Berry is acknowledging that he will be leaving his current home in order to travel to California.
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
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.