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.
Eyes of Man
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shown to convey his grace and skill
Having red domes, pillars and arches
All fashioned to fit his will
When over men observe it′s beauty
They stand and see and sigh and say
Great is your work, oh yes, oh builder
Those who do not know and do not know
That they do not know, are foolish, avoid them
Then there is woman, a builder of nations
Laden with labour, love and care
They place each pillar with pride and patience
Pops every plan she'll pose to a prayer
Those who do not know that know
That they do not know, are children, a dark girl
But few men will praise her cause and omen
Some may not even understand
Most of the struggle borne by woman
Is seldomly held in the eyes of man
Those who know and do not know
That they know, they′re asleep, awake them
So be the temples men have cherished
Crumbled in ruins to rot and rust
No lies each pillar and arch to perish
Doomed to decay and rot to dust
Oh but those who know and know that they know
Are of wisdom, appreciate them
Oh but the temples created in woman
Never have failed in statue and goal
Deep in her heart she fills her temple
In her own child her mortal soul
Chuck Berry's song "Eyes of Man" touches on the idea of human pride and the inevitable decay and insignificance of man-made structures. The lyrics explore the notion that many men have built their own temples, showcasing their grace and skill. These structures are meticulously crafted with red domes, pillars, and arches, all fashioned to fit the builder's will. When others observe the beauty of these temples, they stand in awe and admire the builder's work. However, despite the grandeur of these man-made structures, they are doomed to decay and rust over time.
The song also acknowledges women as builders of nations. Women, laden with the labor of love and care, place each pillar with pride and patience, pouring every plan into a prayer. However, most of the struggle borne by women is seldomly held in high esteem in the eyes of man. The song urges individuals to appreciate and acknowledge the wisdom of those who know that they know and to awaken those who are asleep.
Overall, the song speaks to the transience of human pride and achievement and the eternal beauty and significance of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah many a man has built his own temple
Many men have built impressive structures to showcase their skills.
Shown to convey his grace and skill
These structures are intended to impress others and demonstrate the builder's abilities.
Having red domes, pillars and arches
Builders use a variety of architectural elements to create impressive structures.
All fashioned to fit his will
The builder exercises complete control over the design and construction of the structure.
When over men observe it's beauty
When others see the structure, they are often impressed by its beauty.
They stand and see and sigh and say
People may stop to admire the structure and express their admiration.
Great is your work, oh yes, oh builder
Those who see the structure may compliment the builder on their impressive work.
Your fame shall never fade away
The builder's reputation will endure based on their past accomplishments.
Those who do not know and do not know
People who are ignorant and unaware of their ignorance are foolish.
That they do not know, are foolish, avoid them
It is wise to avoid people who are foolish and unaware of their own ignorance.
Then there is woman, a builder of nations
Women are important contributors to the building and maintenance of societies.
Laden with labour, love and care
Women often take on significant responsibilities and work hard to care for others.
They place each pillar with pride and patience
Women take pride in their work and are patient in carrying out their responsibilities.
Pops every plan she'll pose to a prayer
Women often pray for guidance as they make plans and decisions.
Those who do not know that know
People who are unaware of their own knowledge and abilities are naive and inexperienced.
That they do not know, are children, a dark girl
These people are like children who are still learning about the world and have much to experience.
But few men will praise her cause and omen
Women's efforts and achievements are often overlooked or not given due credit by men.
Some may not even understand
Some men may not be capable of understanding or appreciating women's contributions.
Most of the struggle borne by woman
Women often face significant challenges and hardships in their lives.
Is seldomly held in the eyes of man
Men often fail to see or acknowledge the hardships that women face.
Those who know and do not know
People who are aware of their own knowledge and abilities, but also recognize that there is much they don't know, are wise.
That they know, they're asleep, awake them
It is important to help others become more aware of what they know, and what they still have to learn.
So be the temples men have cherished
Even though these structures are impressive, they are ultimately temporary and will decay over time.
Crumbled in ruins to rot and rust
Structures that were once impressive will eventually deteriorate and fall apart.
No lies each pillar and arch to perish
All of the elements of the structure will eventually disappear or decay.
Doomed to decay and rot to dust
The fate of all structures is to eventually decay and be forgotten.
Oh but those who know and know that they know
Those who are aware of their own knowledge and abilities, and seek to build upon that knowledge, are wise.
Are of wisdom, appreciate them
We should recognize and appreciate those who have wisdom and knowledge.
Oh but the temples created in woman
Women create lasting structures in the form of their families and communities.
Never have failed in statue and goal
These structures endure and continue to achieve their intended purpose.
Deep in her heart she fills her temple
A woman's love and devotion to her family and community are like a temple that she builds in her own heart.
In her own child her mortal soul
A woman's love and devotion to her children are an essential part of her being and identity.
Writer(s): Chuck Berry
Contributed by Muhammad F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
n00se
A many a man has built his own temple
Shown to convey his grace and skill
Having red domes and pillars and arches
All fashioned to fit his will
When other men observe its beauty
They stand and see and sigh and say
Great is your work, oh yes, oh builder
Your fame shall never fade away
Those who do not know
And do not know that they do not know
Are foolish, avoid them
Then there is woman, a builder of nations
Laden with labor, love and care
They place each pillar with pride and patience
Pops every plan she'll pose to a prayer
Those who do not know
And know that they do not know
Are children, adopt them
But few men will praise her cause and omen
Some may not even understand
Most of the struggle borne by woman
Is seldomly held in the eyes of man
Those who know
And do not know that they know
They're asleep, awake them
So be the temples men have cherished
Crumbled in ruins to rot and rust
No lies each pillar and arch to perish
Doomed to decay and rot to dust
Oh but those who know
And know that they know
Are of wisdom, appreciate them
Oh but the temples created in woman
Never have failed in statue and goal
Deep in her heart she fills her temple
In her own child's immortal soul
David Joyner
This is a very fine piece of writing from a master craftsman
PG AR
love this song
musicmanmikee
greatest player writer poet ever in my world shame they don't play anything on 102.9 philly . I wonder if chuck would have played at president Trump inaugural ceremony I think he would have he had a great life in this country in fact the song could have been living in the USA I think he would have accepted .think about it .rest in piece CHUCK
Green_Daddy
Nah bro, you're dead wrong. Metallica is better than Chuck Berry in every aspect. Take that, boomer
Green_Daddy
Jongenburger You're right. I've grown up. Early Genesis shits on Chuck Berry fucking hard!!
Tim Johnson
Far out