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.
It Don't Take But a Few Minutes
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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It don't take me but a few minutes to get a message through
I talked to you, and you talked to me and we talked to one another
It don't take us but a few minutes to understand each other
If I was twenty-three years old and you were twenty-two
I bet no one would try to run our lives the way they do
We take a chance and try romance, be true to one another
If I was in San Diego and you were in Portland, Maine
I'd fly to you lock, stock and bone in hail and pouring rain
Over the mountains, through the valleys, coming home to each other
It don't take us but a few minutes to get to one another
You would write a love song and play on my guitar
And if you should, in Hollywood, become a movie star
Would you let your heart forget, I loved you and you only
It don't take but a few minutes, when you're feeling lonely
The song It Don't Take But a Few Minutes by Chuck Berry is a testament to how effortlessly connections can be made between two people. The lyrics are simple yet deeply meaningful, conveying the message that love and understanding can be found in just a few moments. In the first verse, the singer talks about how quickly he can communicate his feelings to his lover, remarking that their eyes lock in and in just a few minutes, they understand each other perfectly. The second verse explores the idea that if they were younger, they could enjoy their relationship without interference from others. The third verse describes how the singer would travel any distance just to be reunited with his soulmate. In the final verse, he asks whether she would forget him if she became a famous movie star.
Line by Line Meaning
When I see those big brown eyes is when I take my queue
Chuck starts seducing his girl when he sees her big brown eyes.
It don't take me but a few minutes to get a message through
Chuck is a smooth talker and it only takes him a few moments to communicate with her.
I talked to you, and you talked to me and we talked to one another
They are communicating with each other smoothly, understanding what they say and listening to each other.
It don't take us but a few minutes to understand each other
They understand each other well from the beginning and it doesn't take them long to connect.
If I was twenty-three years old and you were twenty-two
Chuck is confessing their ages where he's a year older than his girl.
I bet no one would try to run our lives the way they do
If they were a year or two older then they would be free to live their lives as they see fit, without interference.
We take a chance and try romance, be true to one another
They take a chance on love and promise to be faithful in their relationship.
It don't take us but a few minutes, when we want each other
They can't resist each other's company, so it doesn't take them long to decide to be together.
If I was in San Diego and you were in Portland, Maine
They are far away from each other with opposite ends of the coasts, yet their love persists.
I'd fly to you lock, stock and bone in hail and pouring rain
Chuck would go to any length to be with his girl, even if it means enduring difficult weather conditions.
Over the mountains, through the valleys, coming home to each other
Chuck would go through any obstacle to be with her, so they can comfort and love each other.
It don't take us but a few minutes to get to one another
They'd easily overcome distance to be with each other right away.
You would write a love song and play on my guitar
She has a passion for music so she composes and sings of what she feels for Chuck.
And if you should, in Hollywood, become a movie star
If she becomes famous he still wants her to remember that he loved her before she became famous.
Would you let your heart forget, I loved you and you only
Chuck is worried that she would forget about him when she becomes famous, and he wants her to remember his love.
It don't take but a few minutes, when you're feeling lonely
When she's feeling down and without him, the thought of their love brings her comfort in just a few minutes.
Contributed by Gabriella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MoBench25
One of the best videos I've seen on Youtube.....Clapton is up there with Chuck....
Greg Jones
MoBench25
Chuck is the man. Can never get past Clapton’s outburst.
Alhawari Talbi
Epic, love this. EC on top form. CB unusually relaxed.
Rob Andrews
oh, that groove... Steve Jordan is amazing!
Berk Ç.
Man this is gold.
Steve Cœur
Priceless, my goodness <3
pedersenist
Eric Clapton is really a leader on the stage. Even when he is going to play with a legend he make sure, that things will be done the right way. No wonder people are following him.
babycharliebrown
Eric has truly done everything…
Pablo Pérez
When Chuck Berry does harmony for you...It means you have reach somewhere
Alhawari Talbi
Love this! Epic