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.
Jamaica Farewell
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sun shines brightly on the mountaintop,
I took a trip on a sailing ship,
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop.
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, my head is turning around,
I miss all my friends in Kingston town.
Down at the market you can hear,
All the ladies cry out while on their heads they bear,
Akie rice, salt fish are nice,
And the sun is fine any time of the year.
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, my head is turning around,
I miss all my friends in Kingston town.
Sounds of laughter everywhere,
And the children sway to and fro,
I must declare that my heart is there,
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico.
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, my head is turning around,
I miss all my friends in Kingston town.
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, my head is turning around,
I miss all my friends in Kingston town.
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, my head is turning around,
I miss all my friends in Kingston town.
Chuck Berry's song Jamaica Farewell tells the story of a man who takes a trip to Jamaica and falls in love with the vibrant culture, beautiful scenery, and the warmth of the people. He describes the nights as being gay, meaning happy and lively, and the sun shining brightly on the mountaintop. He takes a trip on a sailing ship and reaches Jamaica where he stops to enjoy the local markets where the ladies cry out while carrying Akie rice and salt fish on their heads. The man describes the sun being fine any time of the year in Jamaica.
However, the man is sad to say that he's on his way and won't be back for many days. His heart is heavy and his head is turning around as he misses all his friends in Kingston town. The sound of laughter is everywhere, and the children sway to and fro, and he declares that his heart is in Jamaica even though he's been from Maine to Mexico. He's on his way and won't be back for many days, but his heart remains in Jamaica, where he made unforgettable memories with his friends.
The song reflects the sense of nostalgia and bittersweet feelings of leaving behind a place that has captured your heart. It beautifully highlights the vibrant and welcoming culture of Jamaica, and the warmth of its people. This song is a tribute to his trip to the island and has been a beloved classic that has inspired many other musicians over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the way where the nights are gay,
I traveled to a place where the nights are lively and joyful.
And the sun shines brightly on the mountaintop,
The sun is shining brightly at the top of the mountain.
I took a trip on a sailing ship,
I traveled on a sailing ship to reach my destination.
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop.
I made a pit stop in Jamaica after reaching there.
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way,
Unfortunately, I have to leave now.
Won't be back for many a day,
I won't be back for a long time.
My heart is down, my head is turning around,
I feel sad and disoriented in my mind and heart.
I miss all my friends in Kingston town.
I miss my friends in Kingston town dearly.
Down at the market you can hear,
At the market, you can hear the sounds of vendors selling.
All the ladies cry out while on their heads they bear,
The women vendors shout out while carrying items on top of their heads.
Akie rice, salt fish are nice,
They are selling delicious food items such as ackee rice and salted fish.
And the sun is fine any time of the year.
The sun is always pleasant throughout the year in this location.
Sounds of laughter everywhere,
There is a lot of laughter and happiness all around.
And the children sway to and fro,
Children are dancing and swaying to the rhythm of the music.
I must declare that my heart is there,
I have to say that my heart belongs in this place.
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico.
Even though I've traveled to many different places.
Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.