Read Full Bio ↴Johnny B. Goode is a seminal 1958 rock and roll song by Chuck Berry.
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. Goode
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 a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
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
The people passing by they would stop and say
"Oh my what 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 opening lines of Chuck Berry's song "Johnny B. Goode" set the scene for a country boy who lives in a log cabin among the evergreens in Louisiana somewhere near New Orleans. Despite his limited academic ability, Johnny has mastered the guitar and plays it like a pro. Berry describes his guitar playing as being similar to that of a ringing bell. The chorus repeatedly urges Johnny to "go" and the song is full of a sense of momentum fueled by Johnny's guitar playing.
Johnny's preferred playing spot is beneath a tree by the railroad tracks, where he can be seen by the passing train drivers. Johnny draws the attention of people who stop and listen to him play. Even though he was not educated, Johnny's limitless talent on the guitar meant that people recognized his greatness, and he was on his way to stardom. The final verse talks about Johnny's ambition to lead a big old band and become a household name in the music world. In summary, the song focuses on a young man's rise to fame via his extraordinary talent and dedication to playing the guitar.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Describing the setting of the log cabin where Johnny B. Goode lived.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Further describes the location of the log cabin, which was surrounded by trees.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Continuing to describe the rustic nature of the log cabin.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Introducing the artist of the song, Johnny B. Goode.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Explaining that Johnny B. Goode had limited formal education.
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
Highlighting Johnny B. Goode's musical talent and ability to play the guitar.
Go, go
Encouraging Johnny B. Goode to keep playing his music and follow his dreams.
Go Johnny, go, go
Continuing to encourage Johnny B. Goode and cheer him on.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Describing the simplicity of Johnny B. Goode's lifestyle and how he carried his guitar with him.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Indicating that Johnny B. Goode would often play his guitar while sitting under a tree by the railroad tracks.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
People passing by while on the train would catch a glance of Johnny playing.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny B. Goode played his guitar to the rhythm of the train drivers' movements.
The people passing by they would stop and say
Describing how people who passed by Johnny B. Goode would stop and listen to him play his guitar.
"Oh my what that little country boy could play"
A quote describing how impressed people were by Johnny B. Goode's musical talent.
His mother told him "someday you will be a man
Describing the words of wisdom that Johnny B. Goode's mother would give him in regards to his future.
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Foreseeing a promising future for Johnny B. Goode, where he would lead and perform with a band.
Many people coming from miles around
Explaining how Johnny B. Goode's music would draw in crowds from all over.
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Describing how Johnny B. Goode's music would be most enjoyed during sunset.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Encouraging Johnny B. Goode to aspire towards fame and success.
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Describing how Johnny B. Goode could potentially become a household name if he pursues music success.
Go
An additional, encouraging word of support for Johnny B. Goode.
Johnny B. Goode
Repeating the title and protagonist of the song as a closing statement.
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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.