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.
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
Can I go home with you?
Won't you let me go home with you,
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze?
If you let me I can tease you baby.
Hey, hey hey hey.
Hey hey hey hey.
Let's dance, little schoolgirl.
Let's dance, little schoolgirl.
Won't you let me take you to the hop, hop,
Have a party at the soda shop
So we can do the twist, do the stroll
To the music of the rock 'n' roll.
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah.
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
Can I go home with you?
Won't you let me go home with you,
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze?
If you let me I can tease you baby.
Hey, hey hey hey.
Hey hey hey hey.
Hey, yeah.
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
Can I go home with you?
Won't you let me go home with you?
Tell your mama and your papa that I love you.
Tell your sisters and your brother that I love you.
Hey, hey hey hey.
Hey, hey hey hey.
Hey, hey hey hey.
Hey, hey hey hey.
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's song "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" depict a playful and flirtatious interaction between the singer and a young schoolgirl. The repeated phrase "Good morning, little schoolgirl" serves as a greeting, expressing the singer's interest in the girl. He asks if he can go home with her, suggesting a desire to spend time together outside of school. He hopes that she will allow him to physically embrace and tease her, indicating a romantic or sexual interest.
In the next verse, the singer suggests taking the girl to a social event, such as a dance or party at a soda shop. He wants to engage in popular dances of the time, like the twist and the stroll, enjoying the music of rock 'n' roll. This indicates a desire for a fun and lively atmosphere where they can enjoy each other's company.
The third and fourth verses repeat the same lines from the first two verses, expressing the singer's persisting interest in the girl. He reiterates his desire to go home with her, hug, squeeze, and tease her. By asking the girl to tell her family about him and expressing his love for her to them, he demonstrates a desire for a deeper connection with her and potentially gaining their approval.
Overall, the lyrics portray a light-hearted and flirtatious interaction between the singer and the schoolgirl, expressing his interest in her both physically and emotionally. The playful tone reflects the spirit of rock 'n' roll music and the carefree nature of youthful infatuation.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
A greeting to a young girl attending school, perhaps indicating the beginning of a new day or a new interaction.
Can I go home with you?
Requesting permission to accompany the girl to her residence, potentially with romantic intentions.
Won't you let me go home with you,
Expressing the desire for the girl to grant permission for him to accompany her to her home.
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze?
Hinting at physical affection and closeness, suggesting a desire for intimate contact.
If you let me I can tease you baby.
Implying a playful, flirtatious nature, with the possibility of engaging in teasing or playful behavior.
Hey, hey hey hey.
An exclamation reflecting excitement or enthusiasm.
Let's dance, little schoolgirl.
Inviting the girl to dance together, potentially at a social event or gathering.
Won't you let me take you to the hop, hop,
Asking for permission to escort the girl to a dance or a popular event.
Have a party at the soda shop
Proposing the idea of having a social gathering or celebration at a venue like a soda shop.
So we can do the twist, do the stroll
Suggesting the enjoyment of particular dance styles and emphasizing the shared experience of dancing together.
To the music of the rock 'n' roll.
Highlighting the genre of music that accompanies the dancing, emphasizing its energetic and rhythmic nature.
Good morning, little schoolgirl.
Reiterating the greeting to the young girl attending school, potentially indicating a continuation of their interaction.
Tell your mama and your papa that I love you.
Asking the girl to inform her parents of his affection towards her, suggesting a serious romantic interest.
Tell your sisters and your brother that I love you.
Requesting the girl to share his feelings with her siblings, possibly indicating a desire for their approval or support.
Hey, hey hey hey.
An exclamation reflecting enthusiasm or eagerness, potentially emphasizing the intensity of his feelings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sonny Boy Williamson
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.