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 Got A Booking
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Pack up and going to go
I'm gonna leave here by plane, darling
Because railway is much too slow
I'm goin' back to my hometown
Where I'm better known
'Cause you haven't done nothing, darling
Now, when the sun sinks in the hillside
The one you love will be gone
And I know I will be blue darling
But somehow I'll just travel on
Now, would you rather care to kiss me
Or would you prefer to just say goodbye
'Cause I will turn and leave you darling
I don't want to see you cry
In the song "I Got A Booking" by Chuck Berry, the singer expresses their desire to leave their current location and travel back to their hometown. They have secured a booking with the airlines and plan to leave by plane because the railway is too slow. The reason for their departure is that their lover has ruined their happy home, and they have done nothing to fix it. The singer is going back to where they are better known.
The song paints a vivid picture of heartbreak and highlights the singer's determination to move on with their life. They acknowledge that they will be sad to leave their lover behind when the sun goes down, but they have to travel on. The singer then gives their lover a choice between kissing them or saying goodbye because they will turn and leave them either way. The song represents a classic theme in blues and rock and roll, which is heartbreak and the desire for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a booking with the airlines
I have made reservations with the airlines for a flight.
Pack up and going to go
I am packing my bags and ready to leave.
I'm gonna leave here by plane, darling
I will be departing by airplane, my dear.
Because railway is much too slow
Traveling by rail is not an option because it is too slow.
I'm goin' back to my hometown
I am heading back to my place of birth.
Where I'm better known
My hometown is where I have a reputation and am well known.
'Cause you haven't done nothing, darling
I am leaving you because you have done nothing but ruin our happy home.
But ruin a happy home
Your actions have caused the happiness in our home to disappear.
Now, when the sun sinks in the hillside
As the sun sets below the hillside.
The one you love will be gone
The person you love will no longer be there for you.
And I know I will be blue darling
I will feel sad, my darling.
But somehow I'll just travel on
I will find a way to continue on this journey forward.
Now, would you rather care to kiss me
Would you prefer to show affection towards me?
Or would you prefer to just say goodbye
Or would you rather just say farewell?
'Cause I will turn and leave you darling
I will walk away, my dear.
I don't want to see you cry
I do not want to witness you in tears.
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.