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 Really Do Love You
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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It's not what you are
It's not how you treat me
Or your fancy car
But there's something about you
I keep yearning for
I, I do really love you
Gives me such a thrill
Let alone to be with you or know that I will
And know that I'll tremble
When I should be still
Um, um, I, I do really love you
Give me what I live for
Your sweet lips pressed to me
And transform this yearning into ecstasy
And send me, oh, send me - most humbly
Um, um, I, I do really love you
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's song "I Really Do Love You" express a sentiment of pure and selfless love. Berry sings about his love for a person, not for their possessions or their treatment of him, but simply for who they are as a person. He reveals that there is something about this person that he constantly yearns for, something that he cannot put into words. The very thought of this person fills him with excitement and joy.
Berry's passion for this person is so intense that he is unable to remain still in their presence. He trembles with excitement, even when he should be composed. He longs for their sweet lips pressed against his own, to be absorbed in the pleasure of their company. Berry acknowledges his deep love for this person and humbly asks them to give him what he lives for - the ecstasy of their love.
The lyrics to "I Really Do Love You" are a classic example of Berry's unique musical style. His ability to weave simple yet powerful words into a beautiful melody is what made him one of the most prolific songwriters of his time. It is a testament to the timeless nature of his music that his songs continue to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds today.
Line by Line Meaning
It's you I'm in love with
I am only in love with you
It's not what you are
Your qualities aren't what I am in love with
It's not how you treat me
Your behavior towards me is not the reason for my love
Or your fancy car
Even your possessions don't matter to me
But there's something about you
There's something special about you that I can't resist
I keep yearning for
I am constantly desiring your presence
I, I do really love you
I truly, deeply love you
Just thinking about you
Merely thoughts of you give me joy
Gives me such a thrill
Thinking of you makes me incredibly excited
Let alone to be with you or know that I will
Just the idea of being with you is enough for me
And know that I'll tremble
I will be overwhelmed with emotion
When I should be still
Even when I should remain calm
Um, um, I, I do really love you
I cannot stress enough how deeply in love I am with you
Give me what I live for
My only desire is
Your sweet lips pressed to me
To feel your lips against mine
And transform this yearning into ecstasy
To have my longings fulfilled and experience pure bliss
And send me, oh, send me - most humbly
Please fulfill my desires humbly
Um, um, I, I do really love you
Once again, I deeply love you
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.