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.
Go Bobby Soxer
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the bobby soxer's doing the twist
It's a bobby soxer beat
And you can rock it any way you wish
Work out, bobby soxer, you can
Wiggle like a whimsical fish
Go, go, bobby soxer
Go, go, bobby soxer
Go, go, bobby soxer
When the weekend comes
You'll be right back rockin' some more
Bobby soxer dancin'
But she keeps peepin' on the stand
Bobby soxer's got a crush
On a beatle in the bobby band
Love bug sure gonna bite her
If the beatle even wave his hand
Twist on, bobby soxer
But don't forget the bobby rule
It's getting late, bobby soxer
And the teacher teachin' you in school
And tomorrow morning, bobby soxer
You'll be back in school
The song "Go Bobby Soxer" by Chuck Berry is an upbeat track that celebrates the rock and roll culture of the 1950s. It highlights the bobby soxer, a nickname for young teenage girls who were fond of wearing white ankle socks with their saddle shoes, and who were heavily influenced by the sounds of rock and roll music. The song encourages the bobby soxers to dance and move their bodies to the beat of the music. The lyrics exemplify the fun and joy of the youth during the time, with lines that suggest the bobby soxer's movements being compared to a whimsical fish, and the anticipation of the weekends where the bobby soxer can dance some more.
However, the song also acknowledges the school culture, with lyrics that remind the bobby soxer that she needs to go back to school the next day. It also highlights the bobby rule, implying that the young teenage girls must follow certain societal norms and values that dictate their behavior. The song is a reflection of the cultural shift that was happening during the 1950s where rock and roll music was becoming more popular among young Americans, and the song's message served as an encouragement for young people to enjoy life and have some fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Bobby band a-rockin'
The band is playing music that Bobby is enjoying.
And the bobby soxer's doing the twist
The girl with bobby socks is dancing by performing a popular dance move.
It's a bobby soxer beat
The music is specifically made for dancers who are wearing bobby socks.
And you can rock it any way you wish
You can dance to the beat in any way that you are comfortable with.
Work out, bobby soxer, you can
She should continue dancing and improving her dance moves.
Wiggle like a whimsical fish
She should move her body in a playful and carefree manner, like a fish in the water.
Go, go, bobby soxer
Encouraging her to keep dancing and enjoying the music.
When the weekend comes
You'll be right back rockin' some more
She will spend her weekend enjoying the same rock music and dance moves that she does now.
Bobby soxer dancin'
The girl is enjoying herself dancing to the music.
But she keeps peepin' on the stand
The girl is looking at a boy who is part of the band.
Bobby soxer's got a crush
She has romantic feelings for the boy in the band.
On a beatle in the bobby band
The boy she has a crush on plays the guitar in the band.
Love bug sure gonna bite her
If the beatle even wave his hand
She may fall more deeply in love with the boy if he acknowledges her existence.
Twist on, bobby soxer
Continue dancing and enjoying the music.
But don't forget the bobby rule
Remember to follow popular dance moves and the style guide correctly.
It's getting late, bobby soxer
It's getting late at night, and the time for dancing is coming to an end.
And the teacher teachin' you in school
Tomorrow, she will have to return to school and the teacher will guide her.
And tomorrow morning, bobby soxer
You'll be back in school
She will have to go back to school and study regularly like any other day.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
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.