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.
La Juanda
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in Tijuana
La senorita come to me
She say "Mi nombre es La Jaunda"
I asked her would she care to dance
She looked at me and said "Como esta?"
I say "Hablo solo en Ingles
Why no comprendo Espanol"
I don't understand Espanol
For a moment I took a notion
Then I went into a dancing motion
She nodded her head
"Yo mucho gusto" she said
And she danced with more devotion
When her cheek came close to mine
I could hear her softly whisper
She said "Habla solo la langua de Ingles
Why no comprenda Espanol"
I speak only the language of English
I don't understand Espanol
She placed her hand before my heart
And she whispered "Yo te amora"
With half - closed eyes
She raised her lips
And she said "Besame ahora"
She hold me close and she squeeze me tight
And she whispered " Yo quiero ahora"
I say "Hablo solo la langua de Ingles
No comprendo Espanol"
I speak only the language of English
I don't understand Espanol
Chuck Berry's song "La Juanda" is a story of a man's encounter with a woman named La Jaunda in Tijuana, Mexico. The singer is approached by La Jaunda, who introduces herself in Spanish, but when he reveals that he doesn't understand the language and only speaks English, she agrees to dance with him. As the night progresses, La Jaunda becomes more affectionate towards the singer, whispering sweet nothings and even trying to kiss him, but he continues to resist, stating that he only speaks the language of English and doesn't understand Spanish.
On a deeper level, the song is symbolic of the communication barriers that exist between people from different cultures and backgrounds. The singer represents the inability of some individuals to connect with others who are different from them, even if they are attracted to them. The language divide between the two characters is seen as a major hindrance to their romantic relationship.
The song is also significant for its depiction of Latino culture and music, with Berry incorporating elements of Mexican and Spanish music into his signature rock and roll sound. The lyrics are delivered in a spoken-word style with a touch of Spanish, adding to the authenticity of the story being told.
Line by Line Meaning
In Baya California
I am in Baja California
Down in Tijuana
Specifically, I am in the city of Tijuana
La senorita come to me
A woman approached me
She say "Mi nombre es La Jaunda"
She introduced herself as La Juanda
I asked her would she care to dance
I asked her if she would like to dance
She looked at me and said "Como esta?"
She asked me how I was doing
I say "Hablo solo en Ingles
I told her that I only speak English
Why no comprendo Espanol"
And that I do not understand Spanish
For a moment I took a notion
At first, I hesitated
Then I went into a dancing motion
But then I began to dance
She nodded her head
She gave me a sign of approval
"Yo mucho gusto" she said
She said "Nice to meet you."
And she danced with more devotion
She danced with more enthusiasm
When her cheek came close to mine
When she leaned in close to me
I could hear her softly whisper
I heard her whisper softly
She said "Habla solo la langua de Ingles
She said "You speak only the language of English"
Why no comprenda Espanol"
And that you do not understand Spanish
She placed her hand before my heart
She put her hand on my chest
And she whispered "Yo te amora"
And she whispered "I love you"
With half - closed eyes
She had her eyes half-closed
She raised her lips
She lifted up her lips
And she said "Besame ahora"
And she said "Kiss me now"
She hold me close and she squeeze me tight
She held me close and hugged me tightly
And she whispered "Yo quiero ahora"
And she whispered "I want you now"
I say "Hablo solo la langua de Ingles
I told her that I only speak English
No comprendo Espanol"
And that I do not understand Spanish
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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.