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.
Hello Little Girl Goodbye
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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About something you led me to believe you'd do
But I know now you had no intentions to
It has come to me that we been together too long
I been holding out, I believe I'll be gone
'Cause I don't have to hang around while you do me wrong
You don't really need me, you'd do better on your own
So go find somebody else and leave me alone
I'm leaving you now although I love you still
I loved you then and I guess I always will
So, goodbye, little girl, I'm gone this time for real
Your heart's full of rock and you reel like a rolling stone
You don't really need me, you'd do better on your own
So go find somebody else and leave me alone
Honey, I'm leaving you although I love you still
You I loved you then and I guess I always will
So, goodbye, little girl, I'm gone this time for real
Bye. bye, little girl, bye, bye, little girl
Bye. bye, little girl, bye, bye, little girl
Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, little girl
Chuck Berry's song "Hello Little Girl Goodbye" tells the story of a man who realizes that he has been led on by his partner, who never had any real intentions of committing to him. He confronts her, declaring that he has been holding out and that he no longer needs to stay with her while she continues to do him wrong. He acknowledges her restless heart, comparing it to a rolling stone, and encourages her to leave him alone and find someone else.
Throughout the song, Berry's lyrics present a narrative of a relationship that has run its course. While the singer still loves his partner, he can no longer continue to endure being misled and mistreated. Despite his love, he acknowledges that he and his partner may be better off on their own. Ultimately, he decides to leave, bidding his partner farewell for real, and repeating the phrase "bye, bye, little girl" as he departs.
One interpretation of this song suggests that it serves as a warning about the dangers of codependency in relationships. The singer has been with his partner for too long, and he has allowed himself to become too attached, even when he knows that she is not good for him. The lyrics, therefore, may be seen as a call to action, urging listeners to recognize the signs of unhealthy love and take care of themselves by choosing to leave, even if it hurts.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, little girl, I got a little talk for you
I have something to discuss with you
About something you led me to believe you'd do
You gave me the impression that you would do something
But I know now you had no intentions to
But now I realize you never intended to do it
It has come to me that we been together too long
I've realized that we've been together for too long
I been holding out, I believe I'll be gone
I've been waiting for something to change, but I think I need to leave
'Cause I don't have to hang around while you do me wrong
I don't have to stay with you while you treat me badly
Your heart's full of rock and you reel like a rolling stone
You are cold and unfeeling, and you change direction frequently
You don't really need me, you'd do better on your own
You don't actually require my presence, you'd be better off by yourself
So go find somebody else and leave me alone
You should find another person to be with and let me go
I'm leaving you now although I love you still
I'm leaving you even though I still love you
I loved you then and I guess I always will
I loved you before and I think I always will
So, goodbye, little girl, I'm gone this time for real
So, I'm truly leaving this time, goodbye
Bye. bye, little girl, bye, bye, little girl
Goodbye, little girl
Bye. bye, little girl, bye, bye, little girl
Goodbye, little girl
Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, little girl
Goodbye, little girl
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, 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.