Written by Berry in 1955, the song is a rock and roll version of the American dream — a poor country boy becomes a star by hard work and inspired guitar playing. This image of unknowns with no future achieving fame and fortune through music became a paradigm for countless songs and even careers to follow.
The opening guitar riff on "Johnny B. Goode" may be the most famous single riff in rock and roll history. It is essentially a note-for-note copy of the opening single-note solo on Louis Jordan's "Ain't That Just Like a Woman" (1946), played by guitarist Carl Hogan.
Although partly autobiographical, the inspiration for the song is said to have been Johnnie Johnson who played the piano and composed several songs with Berry, and is considered a major contributor to the unmistakable Berry sound. On earlier unreleased takes Chuck sang "colored boy" instead of "country boy", but it was changed for fear of it not being played on the radio. As a possible source for the last name, it has been noted that Berry was born on Goode Avenue in St. Louis.
Aware of the importance of the song to his fame and his image, Berry has written two more songs about Johnny, "Bye Bye Johnny" and "Go Go Go", and also titled an instrumental album as "Concerto in B. Goode".
Berry's recording of the song was included on the Voyager Golden Record, attached to the Voyager spacecraft as representing rock and roll, one of three American songs included among many cultural achievements of humanity.
Even though Johnny Johnson played piano on many other Chuck Berry songs, it was actually Lafayette Leake who played the instrument on this song.
Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as the seventh greatest song ever on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and the best guitar song on their list of the 100 greatest guitar songs of all time.
Johnny B. Good
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 engineerswould 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
Chuck Berry's song Johnny B. Goode tells the story of a young boy from the backwoods of Louisiana named Johnny B. Goode. The song describes the log cabin made of earth and wood where Johnny lived, and how he learned to play guitar so well, despite not being able to read or write very well. The song goes on to describe Johnny carrying his guitar in a gunny sack, sitting under a tree by the railroad tracks, and playing his music for passers-by. The lyrics also allude to the fact that Johnny's talent would eventually take him far in life, as his mother tells him that someday he will be a man and a leader of a big old band, with people coming from miles around to hear him play.
Overall, the song is a celebration of rock and roll music and the people who create it. It tells a story of how music can come from anywhere, even from a small town in Louisiana. The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy chorus make it a classic rock and roll anthem that has been covered by countless artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Goode is from Louisiana, in close proximity to New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Johnny B. Goode lives in the forest among the tall trees.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Johnny B. Goode's house is a small, simple cabin made of earth and wood.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode is a simple, humble country boy living in the forest.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny B. Goode is not well educated in literature.
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
Johnny B. Goode is very skilled at playing the guitar and has a unique style.
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
The chorus repeats the title of the song, encouraging Johnny B. Goode to keep playing music and entertaining people with his talent.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny B. Goode used to carry his guitar with him in a bag.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Johnny B. Goode liked to sit under the tree by the railroad tracks and play his guitar.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Train engineers would see Johnny B. Goode relaxing in the shade.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny B. Goode would play his guitar to the rhythm of the passing trains.
People passing by they would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play
People who passed by would stop and listen to Johnny B. Goode play his guitar and compliment his talent.
His mother told him "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big old band.
Johnny B. Goode's mother had high hopes for him and believed that he would become a successful musician.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Johnny B. Goode's mother envisioned him playing for large crowds who come from far and wide to listen to him.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.
His mother hoped that someday Johnny B. Goode's name would be emblazoned in lights for all to see, announcing his performance that evening.
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 chorus repeats once again, urging Johnny B. Goode to continue pursuing his passion for music, and celebrating his skill and talent.
Contributed by Bailey H. 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.