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.
Introduction / Instrumental
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
Go go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by they would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
His mother told him "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big old band.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight."
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
The song "Johnny B. Goode" is a classic rock and roll tune that tells the story of a young, talented guitar player from a rural area named Johnny B. Goode. He may not have been well-educated, but he has a great ability to play the guitar so well that people from far away would come to hear him play whenever the sun goes down. The song also highlights that Johnny B. Goode's mother had always encouraged him to believe in himself and his ability to play the guitar, which helped him to become a talented guitar player.
The song's lyrics also mention Johnny's simplicity in carrying his guitar in a gunny sack to play music under a tree beside a railroad track. This illustrates how Johnny's music was so natural that even the engineers driving the trains would stop and listen to his soulful melodies. The chorus of "Go Johnny go" is an invitation to Johnny to keep playing his guitar and to keep pursuing his dreams. The song is a tribute to the phenomenon of young rock and roll musicians who become overnight sensations using their natural talents, as opposed to formal music education.
"Johnny B. Goode" is one of Berry's most famous and recognized songs that has endured over time due to its infectious melody and memorable lyrics. Chuck Berry wrote the song in 1955 and it was released later that same year. The song has been covered countless times by various artists, and it also inspired many musicians and bands in the subsequent decades of rock and roll history. The song has been used in numerous films, television programs, and commercials, making it one of the most recognizable rock songs of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans
In a less frequented region of Louisiana, near the city of New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
In a forest far from the urban areas.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
There was a simple cabin built from the natural resources present in the area.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Where a young rural man called Johnny B. Goode resided.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Although he had difficulty with reading and writing, that did not stop him.
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
He was skilled at playing guitar, making tunes that were pleasant to the ear.
Go go
Let's get started!
Go Johnny go
Keep playing, Johnny!
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
He carried his guitar in an improvised bag.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
He would go and sit beneath a tree close to the nearby railroad.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
The train conductors would notice him seated in the cool spot.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Playing along with the rhythm generated by the motion of the train.
People passing by they would stop and say
Passersby were amazed by his skill.
Oh my that little country boy could play
They would exclaim how astonishingly good this rural youth was.
His mother told him "Someday you will be a man,
Johnny's mother told him that one day he would grow up to be a responsible adult.
And you will be the leader of a big old band.
She also encouraged him to lead a group of musical performers.
Many people coming from miles around
Numerous people would come from faraway places to listen to him.
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
They would be delighted to hear him play as the sun sets.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Perhaps one day he would be so famous as to be featured prominently in advertisements.
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight."
Promoting his named performances as a must-see event.
Go go go Johnny go
Keep the music going Johnny!
Go go go Johnny go
You're doing great Johnny!
Go go go Johnny go
Don't stop playing Johnny!
Go Johnny B. Goode
Play on Johnny B. Goode!
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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.