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.
Little Queenie
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I saw her comin' down the aisle
I got the wiggles in my knees
When she looked at me and sweetly smiled
Well there she is again
Standin' over by the record machine
Well she looks like a model
On the cover of a magazineBut she's too cute
To be a minute over seventeen
Meanwhile I was thinkin'
Well if she's in the mood
No need to break it
I got the chance and I oughta take it
If she can dance we can make it
C'mon queenie let's shake it
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
Won't someone tell me
Who's the queen standin over by the record machine
Well she looks like a model
On the cover of a magazine
But she's too cute
To be a minute over seventeen
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
Meanwhile, I was still thinkin', hmmmm,Well if it's a slow one
We'll omit it
If it's a rocker, then we'll get it
If it's a good one, she'll admit it
C'mon queenie, let's get with it
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie
Chuck Berry's song Little Queenie is a classic 1959 rock and roll song about a young woman who catches the eye of the singer. The lyrics describe how he is overwhelmed by her beauty and charms, and how he wants to dance with her. He is nervous, that's why he gets wiggles in his knees and lumps in his throat when she looks at him and smiles. Berry vividly paints the picture of Queenie's attractiveness and likens her to a model on the cover of a magazine. He also notes that she is too cute to be over seventeen.
Berry's thoughts turn towards his chances with Queenie. He considers that if she's in the mood, he ought to take the chance to ask her to dance. He expresses his desire to have a dance with her, and suggests they should shake it together. He encourages her to dance with him by chanting 'go, go, go, little queenie.'
Overall, the song is about the singers' attraction for Queenie and his attempt to get her to dance with him. The lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, reflecting the carefree nature of rock and roll music during that time.
Line by Line Meaning
I got lumps in my throat
I was struck with excitement and anticipation upon seeing Little Queenie approach me.
When I saw her comin' down the aisle
I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw Little Queenie walking towards me.
I got the wiggles in my knees
My legs were shaking with nervous energy when Little Queenie smiled at me.
When she looked at me and sweetly smiled
Little Queenie cast a charming, captivating smile in my direction.
There she is again
Once again, Little Queenie appeared by the record machine.
Standin' over by the record machine
Little Queenie was positioned alongside the disc player.
Looking like a model
Little Queenie was incredibly attractive and well put together, like a fashion model.
On the cover of a magazine
Little Queenie was so gorgeous that she could have easily graced the cover of any publication.
She's too cute to be a minute over seventeen
Little Queenie was so pretty that she couldn't possibly be any older than seventeen.
Meanwhile I was thinkin'
At this point, I was deep in thought about how I could woo Little Queenie.
If she's in the mood no need to break it
If Little Queenie is feeling playful, there's no reason to hold back.
I got the chance and I oughta take it
I might as well take advantage of this opportunity while I have it.
If she can dance we can make it
If Little Queenie is a good dancer, we'll have a great time together.
C'mon queenie let's shake it
Let's dance together, Little Queenie!
Tell me who's the queen
Little Queenie was clearly queen of the dance floor.
If it's a slow song, we'll omit it
If a slow song comes on, we'll skip it and wait for something more upbeat.
If it's a rocker, then we'll get it
If a fast, fun song comes on, we'll start dancing together.
And if it's good, she'll admit it
If Little Queenie enjoys the music, she'll let me know.
C'mon queenie, let's get with it
Let's dance together to this exciting tune, Little Queenie!
Go, go, go, little queenie
Let's dance, Little Queenie!
Go, go, go, little queenie
Don't stop dancing, Little Queenie!
Go, go, go, little queenie
Keep moving, Little Queenie!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidhope2506
He's brilliant. Songwriting, Guitar playing, Showmanship. Chuck Berry does everything.
@richardscally694
What a wordsmith Chuck Berry was the true messiah of Rock & Roll.
@captainu.s.a.7980
Chuck is the real king of Rock-N-Roll.If you want to learn how to play guitar.Learn everything by Mr.Berry.After you learned everything by Mr.Berry.Learn everything by Chuck Berry.Real king of Rock-N-Roll..It's just a fact.If you are a musician,then you know what I am talking about.Guitar wise,I mean.His riffs flow through every Rock n Roll riff (almost) ever played..I don't think E.V.H .Used Chuck's type of guitar style.It is possible E.V.H. bent two strings at once.I don't know.Always remember Chuck berry.Also E.V.H. always remember.Great musicians. . .
@antonionavarrete1788
Yes indeed But didn't have the charistma of Elvis
@wesleycook7687
@@antonionavarrete1788 Elvis,the pedophile had carisma? Chuck Berry is the true King of Rock and Roll.
@maggienorris7833
and kept on doing it for decades. The real King of rock n roll.
@qbarnes1893
Who would of thought, 10, 20,30,40,50,60+ years later chuck would be so loved...almost the originator of rock and roll, a legend, a true legend....
@texasblues46
At a junior High class party in the 50's somebody put this record on the record player and one of my female classmates started dancing and the guy standing next to me said, "Go, Queenie"! The nickname, Queenie, has stuck with her for over 60 years.
@texasblues46
It’s real. Up until a couple of years ago nobody could remember how she got the nickname, Queenie. The classmate that said, Go Queenie, committed suicide by cop over 30 years ago. We were 13 then. Today we are 74.
@texasblues46
@BathRo Master Of BathRooms The "Queenie" I mentioned in my original post died last month. RIP, Sharon.