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.
Down The Road A Piece
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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It's just an old piano and a knockout bass
The drummer man's a cat they call Kickin' McCoy
You know, remember that rubber-legged boy?
Mama's cookin' chicken fried and bacon grease
Come on along boys it's just down the road apiece
Well, there's a place you really get your kicks
Now if you want to hear some boogie you can get your fill
And shove and sting like an old steam drill
Come on along you can lose your lead
Down the road, down the road, down the road apiece
There's a place you really get your kicks
It's open every night about twelve to six
Now if you want to hear some boogie you can get your fill
And shove and sting like an old steam drill
Come on along you can lose your lead
Down the road, down the road, down the road apiece
Chuck Berry’s song "Down the Road a Piece" is a classic rock and roll tune that captures the spirit of the late 1950s. The song is about a place where people go to have fun and let loose. Berry invites listeners to come along with him down the road to this place where the music is always playing and the good times never end.
The verses describe the types of musical instruments being used, including an old piano, knockout bass, and the drummer, Kickin' McCoy. The imagery of Mama's cooking, with chicken fried in bacon grease, adds to the idea of a good time with friends. The chorus repeats, inviting listeners to come along to the place "down the road apiece" where they can "get their kicks" and "lose their lead." The lyrics emphasize the idea of leaving behind stress and worries, and just enjoying the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if you want to hear some boogie like I'm gonna play
If you're in the mood for some upbeat, lively music that I'm about to play
It's just an old piano and a knockout bass
All we need to create this great music is an old piano and a really good bass player
The drummer man's a cat they call Kickin' McCoy
Our drummer is a talented and skilled musician that goes by the name 'Kickin' McCoy'
You know, remember that rubber-legged boy?
Do you recall that guy who was really flexible and could dance like nobody's business?
Mama's cookin' chicken fried and bacon grease
Our hostess is preparing a delicious meal of fried chicken and bacon grease
Come on along boys it's just down the road apiece
Join us, my friends, it's just a short distance away
Well, there's a place you really get your kicks
There's a really great spot where you can have a lot of fun
It's open every night about twelve to six
The place is open nightly from midnight until six in the morning
Now if you want to hear some boogie you can get your fill
If you're looking for some energetic music, this is the place to be
And shove and sting like an old steam drill
The music is so good that you'll want to dance and move around like an old-fashioned steam drill
Come on along you can lose your lead
Join us and you can let loose, forget your worries and just have fun
Down the road, down the road, down the road apiece
The place is just a short distance down the road, so let's go!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE
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.