Down The Road Apiece
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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Now if you wanna hear some boogie like I'm gonna play
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
It's open every night about twelve to six
Now if you wanna 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 wanna 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

Overall Meaning

Chuck Berry's song "Down The Road Apiece" is a celebratory ode to a local juke joint that he frequents. He starts by inviting listeners to come and hear some boogie, which is a playful and infectious style of piano-based rhythm and blues. Berry notes that the piano and bass are the only instruments needed, and that the drummer's nickname is "Kickin' McCoy." Berry also mentions a dancer he calls the "rubber-legged boy" who shows off impressive moves on the dance floor.


The lyrics then transition into a description of the establishment itself, which is open every night from midnight until six in the morning. Here, patrons can listen to boogie music and dance wildly, losing themselves in the energy and excitement of the place. Berry describes it as a spot where one can "get your fill" and physically embody the push and pull of an "old steam drill." Overall, the song paints a vivid picture of a lively and unpretentious local club where people can come to let loose and have fun.


Line by Line Meaning

Now if you wanna hear some boogie like I'm gonna play
If you desire to hear some music that sounds like the boogie-woogie I am about to perform


It's just an old piano and a knockout bass
The musical instruments being used consist only of an outdated piano and a bass that can captivate the listeners


The drummer man's a cat they call Kickin' McCoy
The drummer is a cool cat named Kickin' McCoy


You know, remember that rubber-legged boy?
Do you recall the boy who could move his legs like rubber?


Mama's cookin' chicken fried and bacon grease
Mama's preparing a meal consisting of chicken that's fried in bacon grease


Come on along boys it's just down the road apiece
Boys, please come with me, it's just a short distance away from us


Well, there's a place you really get your kicks
There's a venue where you can really enjoy yourself


It's open every night about twelve to six
It's open every night from 12 am to 6 am


Now if you wanna hear some boogie you can get your fill
If you're craving boogie-woogie music, you can listen to it in abundance


And shove and sting like an old steam drill
And the music can be as powerful as a steam drill, pushing and penetrating everything around


Come on along you can lose your lead
Come along with me, you can forget all your worries


Down the road, down the road, down the road apiece
Let's go down the road for a bit, just a bit further




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AMOS MILBURN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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.

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