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.
Got It And Gone
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He wanted to play rock music and sing some songs of joy
When he started school, he just could pat his feet
The first song he ever learned had a strong boogie beat
Come on now
Rock it, rock it, rock it along
Roll it, roll it, roll it on
Got it, got it, got it and gone
Then one day it happened, they hauled him off to war
Way over there in no man's land, just him and his guitar
Nobody near to love him, nobody ever sent him news
What could a poor boy do at night, but to sit down and sing them blues
Early one morning they called him, oh, what a beautiful day
They packed him in an old army plane and flew him back home to stay
He landed in Clark Air base, but didn't have no place to go
So he sit down with his guitar in the middle of the street and gave everybody a free show.
The song "Got It and Gone" by Chuck Berry tells the story of a boy who wanted to play rock music and sing songs of joy from a young age. When he started school, he had a natural inclination for music and was able to tap his feet to the strong boogie beat. However, the young boy was called off to war one day, and he found himself way over there in no man's land with nothing but his guitar for company. He felt lonely and unloved in a foreign land, and he had no choice but to sit down and sing the blues at night.
One bright day, he was called back home and landed in Clark Air Base with no place to go. The boy sat down with his guitar in the middle of the street and started singing, giving everyone a free show. The chorus of the song includes the repeated phrase "rock it, roll it, git it, got it, and gone," which is a catchy way of describing how the boy made his music and disappeared into the night, much like a rock and roll musician on tour.
The powerful narrative in "Got It and Gone" highlights the transformative power of music and how it can sustain us through the most challenging times. The song also serves as a tribute to the soldiers who served in wars abroad and highlights the important role that music played in lifting their spirits and providing comfort during their lonely moments.
Interesting facts about "Got It and Gone" by Chuck Berry:
Line by Line Meaning
When he was a child, just a baby boy
Chuck Berry wanted to play music from a very young age
He wanted to play rock music and sing some songs of joy
Chuck Berry was specifically interested in playing rock music and singing joyful songs
When he started school, he just could pat his feet
From a very early age, Chuck Berry had a natural rhythm and ability to keep time
The first song he ever learned had a strong boogie beat
The first song Chuck Berry learned to play had a strong boogie rhythm
Come on now
A call to action, inviting listeners to participate in the music
Rock it, rock it, rock it along
Encouraging listeners to rock and dance to the music
Roll it, roll it, roll it on
Inviting listeners to keep the music going and not stop
Git it, git it, git it on
A slang term meaning 'get it', urging listeners to fully embrace the music
Got it, got it, got it and gone
Chuck Berry has the music and is ready to move on to the next song
Then one day it happened, they hauled him off to war
Chuck Berry was drafted into the military to fight in a war
Way over there in no man's land, just him and his guitar
Chuck Berry was sent to a dangerous and isolated area to fight, but still had his guitar with him
Nobody near to love him, nobody ever sent him news
Chuck Berry was far away from his loved ones and didn't receive any updates from home
What could a poor boy do at night, but to sit down and sing them blues
To cope with his loneliness and fear, Chuck Berry turned to playing and singing the blues
Early one morning they called him, oh, what a beautiful day
Chuck Berry was called to serve in the military early one morning
They packed him in an old army plane and flew him back home to stay
Chuck Berry was eventually discharged and flown back home
He landed in Clark Air base, but didn't have no place to go
Chuck Berry returned home, but did not have a place to stay
So he sit down with his guitar in the middle of the street and gave everybody a free show
To make some money and entertain others, Chuck Berry played his guitar in a public place for free
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.