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 Apiece
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 kicksIt'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
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
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.