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.
I Can't Believe
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you are gone and we are through
Oh, but I miss those happy hours
Cuddle all alone with you
Snuggled tightly in your arms, darling
And doing things that lovers do
Oh, if I only knew where to write you
To let you know how much I need you
And miss your love since you been gone
I want to tell you you were right, doll
And I see now that I was wrong
I want you back, won't somebody help me
I need your love, honest I do
To relive those happy hours
I used to spend alone with you
Snuggled tightly in your arms, darling
And doing things that lovers do
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's song "I Can't Believe" depict a person who is overcome with regret and loss after a recent break-up with their lover. The singer is consumed with thoughts of what they had with their lover, feeling that they had a truly happy and fulfilling relationship. The longing is deep and intense, to the point where the singer feels they cannot function without the other person. The lyrics convey a sense of wanting to make amends and to reconnect, but not knowing how to do so. The song ends with the singer pleading for someone to help them find their lost love, as they cannot bear to be without them.
One interesting interpretation of this song is that it was inspired by Chuck Berry's own marital troubles. Despite being married, Berry had multiple affairs throughout his career and was known for a notoriously difficult personality. This could explain why the singer in the song is so consumed with regret and a longing to reconnect with their lost love. Additionally, the lyrics convey a sense of urgency and desperation, which could be interpreted as Berry's own fear of losing his wife.
Another interesting aspect of the song is the structure of the lyrics. The verses are all similar in structure, with the first two lines repeating each other, and the third line adding additional commentary. This creates a sense of repetition and of being stuck in a loop, which could be reflective of the singer's own emotional state.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe, I can't believe
I am unable to believe that you and I are no longer together
That you are gone and we are through
I am shocked that you left me and we are no longer in a relationship
Oh, but I miss those happy hours
I feel sad now that I miss the good times we had together
Cuddle all alone with you
I miss snuggling with you and I feel lonely without you beside me
Snuggled tightly in your arms, darling
I remember how it felt to be nestled warmly in your embrace
And doing things that lovers do
I miss the special activities we used to share as a couple
Oh, if I only knew where to write you
I wish I had a way to contact you, but I don't know where you are
Or where to call you on the phone
I don't have your phone number so I'm unable to reach out to you
To let you know how much I need you
I long to tell you how much I still miss you and want you back in my life
And miss your love since you been gone
I feel empty without your affection since you left me
I want to tell you you were right, doll
I realize now that you were correct about something and I want to apologize for doubting you
And I see now that I was wrong
I understand that I made a mistake and I regret it now
I want you back, won't somebody help me
I desire for you to return, can someone assist me?
I need your love, honest I do
I'm being truthful when I say I require your love and affection
To relive those happy hours
I yearn to revisit the joyful moments we experienced together
I used to spend alone with you
I miss our one-on-one time together, just you and I
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT 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.