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, Plรกcido 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.
Don't You Lie to Me
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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You know I heard about the way that you do your part
Don't lie to me - don't you lie to me
'cause it makes me mad and I get shook up as a man can be
You know there's two kinds of people that I just can't stand
That's a lying woman and a cheating man
Don't lie to me - don't you lie to me
Yeah
Well I can love you baby till the cows come home
But I'm so sick & tired of you treating me wrong
Don't lie to me - don't you lie to me
'cause it makes me mad and I get evil as a man can be
Well if you love me baby and it ain't no lie
I'll be with you baby till the well runs dry
Don't lie to me - don't you lie to me
'cause it makes me mad and I get shook up as a man can be
The lyrics of Chuck Berry's Don't You Lie to Me address the theme of lies and deception within a romantic relationship. The song begins with the lead singer asking their partner to talk things over before they start anything. The singer confesses that they have heard about their partner's dishonest ways, and cannot tolerate being lied to anymore. The repetition of the phrase "Don't lie to me" emphasizes the singer's frustration and anger towards the situation.
The second verse takes a more general approach to the theme, as the lead singer mentions the two types of people they despise: a lying woman and a cheating man. This makes it clear that the singer feels that their partner has fallen into one of these categories, and they are not willing to accept it any longer. The chorus repeats and concludes the song, with the singer making it clear that they are tired of being treated poorly and are willing to move on if their partner cannot be truthful.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's talk it over baby before we start
Before we begin, let's have a discussion about what's going on between us, baby.
You know I heard about the way that you do your part
I've heard rumors about how you behave, baby.
Don't lie to me - don't you lie to me
I can't handle you being dishonest with me, baby.
'cause it makes me mad and I get shook up as a man can be
The thought of you lying to me makes me very angry and upset, baby.
You know there's two kinds of people that I just can't stand
I have a strong dislike for two types of people, baby.
That's a lying woman and a cheating man
I don't like women who lie or men who cheat, baby.
Well I can love you baby till the cows come home
My love for you will never end, baby.
But I'm so sick & tired of you treating me wrong
I'm exhausted and fed up with the way you've been treating me, baby.
'cause it makes me mad and I get evil as a man can be
Being mistreated by you can cause me to become very angry and even vengeful, baby.
Well if you love me baby and it ain't no lie
If you truly love me, baby, and it's not just empty words.
I'll be with you baby till the well runs dry
I'll stay with you until there's nothing left, baby.
Don't lie to me - don't you lie to me
Once again, I can't tolerate you being dishonest, baby.
'cause it makes me mad and I get shook up as a man can be
Lying to me causes me to become incredibly angry and upset as a man, baby.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gerardo PerezCampos
La letra es genial, Los Stones le hicieron una gran version, mas rocknroll, mas energรฉtica, grande Chuck. Saludos desde Mรฉxico City.
TheChitown5
Best rendition of this blues classic imo, funky rhythm interplay between drumming, guitar and sax. Makes you move!! Later white rock bands take the soul and funk out of it.
Callum Roberts
Rolling Stones 1972 live version still has the soul and groove I can assure u that brother
David Arthur
Verdad plus the piano playing is superb.
Tattyshoes Shigure
Really nice rhythm riff!
Light On lights
One of the best songs ever
MrOldskoolmusiclvr62
A Great classic Chuck Berry song to learn on Guitar!
Builderphill
It's actually a Tampa red song, covered by many greats, including Chuck berry and Albert king
Gabriel Rosenberger
Yeah, the best version for guitar or bass IMO is Albert's.
juha vesanen
@Builderphill But this Chuck Berry cover is the absolute one, I think, full of credibility...! ๐ต๐ผโโ๏ธ๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ