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 Want To Be Your Driver
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would love to ride you, I would love to ride you around
We'll be ready when you want me to drive you on downtown
Yeah I want to drive your, your long and beautiful
Your rounded-body, wheel-to-roll limousine
I've never had the thrill of riding such a wonderful machine
I would drive it all over, I would ride you home with ease
You will enjoy every journey, it will be my aim to please
So let me be your driver, let me be your driver
I would love to ride you, I would love to ride you downtown
Drive you so slow and easy you won't want to put me down
Chuck Berry's song "I Want To Be Your Driver" is a playful and flirtatious love letter to a woman he desires. The opening lines show his eagerness to serve her and be her personal chauffeur, saying "I want to be your driver, I want to be your driver, I would love to ride you, I would love to ride you around." He anticipates the pleasure of driving her "long and beautiful, your rounded-body, wheel-to-roll limousine," never having had the privilege of driving such an impressive machine before.
Throughout the song, Berry promises to be reliable and accommodating, willing to take her anywhere she wants to go. He describes their journey as one of ease and enjoyment, asserting that he will drive her so smoothly that she won't even want to get out of the car. The overall tone is playful and seductive, suggesting that Berry is eager to fulfill her desires and anticipating the pleasure that comes from spending time with her.
The song has been interpreted as both a literal desire for driving her around town and as a metaphor for a sexual relationship. Whichever interpretation you believe, there's no denying that the song has a catchy rhythm and playful lyrics that make it a classic of rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be your driver, I want to be your driver
I desire to be your chauffeur and take you wherever you want to go.
I would love to ride you, I would love to ride you around
I am eager to drive your vehicle and take you on a joyride.
We'll be ready when you want me to drive you on downtown
I am willing to take you to the city whenever you desire.
Yeah I want to drive your, your long and beautiful
I want to drive your car, which is long and beautiful.
Your rounded-body, wheel-to-roll limousine
I want to drive your luxurious limousine, which has a rounded body and wheels that roll.
I've never had the thrill of riding such a wonderful machine
I've never experienced the excitement of driving such an amazing car before.
We'll roll 'round the mountain, drive down in the valley
I'll take you on a scenic drive around the mountain and down through the valley.
I would drive it all over, I would ride you home with ease
I am capable of driving your car anywhere and would easily take you home afterwards.
You will enjoy every journey, it will be my aim to please
You will enjoy every trip we take together, as my goal is to make you happy.
So let me be your driver, let me be your driver
Please allow me to be your driver and provide you with transportation.
I would love to ride you, I would love to ride you downtown
I'm eager to drive you to the city and give you a ride wherever you want to go.
Drive you so slow and easy you won't want to put me down
I'll drive you at a leisurely pace that will make you never want to end your ride with me.
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.