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.
His Daughter Caroline
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Snugged the blanket around her feet to help and keep 'em warm
When he kissed her tender cheek, oh, how her eyes would shine
His ev'ry dream was built around his daughter Caroline
He remembered ev'ry time she'd turn another year
And, at the birthday parties, when he'd shed a happy tear
Thinking of the wedding dress that she would wear someday
He thought of what he saw the night they called her from the roll
A silver graduation ring and engagement ring of gold
It seems as tho' twas yesterday he met her valentine
And now she's grown and here to wed his daughter Caroline
Maarching on his arm she whispered, "Pa, I still love you"
Those words remained within his ears when she vowed, "I do"
Cheer was sparkling from his eyes, but tears were in behind
When he gave his heart away, his daughter Caroline
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's song, "His Daughter Caroline" tells a story of a father reflecting on the growth of his daughter from a young girl to a bride. The first verse of the song talks about how the father held his daughter in his arms when she was a baby, snugging a blanket around her feet for warmth, and how her innocent eyes would shine while he kissed her tender cheek. The father's dreams were completely built around his daughter Caroline.
The second verse of the song references the memories of Caroline's birthday parties, and how the father shed happy tears when thinking of the wedding dress she would wear someday, a reminder of the future day when he'd have to give his daughter away. The bridge talks about the night Caroline earned her graduation ring and the engagement ring from her lover. Finally, the last verse paints a picture of Caroline on her wedding day, marching on her father's arm, whispering that she still loves him. The father's eyes are sparkling with cheer, but tears are also in his eyes as he gives his heart away to his daughter Caroline.
Overall, the song beautifully captures the emotions of a father watching his daughter grow and eventually leave to start her own life with someone else. The lyrics deliver a powerful message that love is not about possession but allowing those we love the freedom to pursue their own dreams and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
So few years ago her daddy held her in his arms
A few years back, the singer held his daughter in his arms and wrapped a blanket over her feet to keep her warm. He remembers how her eyes would sparkle whenever he kissed her cheek.
When he kissed her tender cheek, oh, how her eyes would shine
The singer's daughter's eyes shone every time he kissed her on her cheek with affection.
Thinking of the wedding dress that she would wear someday
The father used to shed happy tears whenever he thought of his daughter's future wedding and the dress she would wear.
A silver graduation ring and engagement ring of gold
The father still remembers the night when his daughter received her silver graduation ring and a golden engagement ring.
It seems as tho' twas yesterday he met her valentine
The father remembers the day his daughter introduced her boyfriend to him as if it was yesterday.
Maarching on his arm she whispered, 'Pa, I still love you'
On the wedding day, the daughter whispered to her father that she still loves him while walking down the aisle with him.
When he gave his heart away, his daughter Caroline
The father gave his heart away to his daughter Caroline on her wedding day, which brought tears to his eyes even though he was happy.
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.