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 Star
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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My only wish is depending on you.
Although you are so very far,
Please, help me, help me, Little Star.
There is something about her that I cannot explain,
And to be without her, it would drive me insane.
Little star above, my wish is of
If she only knew the pain in my heart,
And what I went through since we've been apart.
Little star aglow, if she should know
My only, my only, only love.
In this song, Chuck Berry is expressing his complicated emotions towards a woman he loves, Little Star. He acknowledges that he experiences both happiness and sadness, and that his happiness depends solely on her. He is aware that Little Star is physically far away, but he begs for her help in making him feel better. The singer's dependence on Little Star is clearly evident in this verse, as he repeats "please, help me" several times.
The second verse reveals that the singer cannot fully explain his intense attraction towards Little Star, but he knows that he cannot bear to be without her. He addresses Little Star directly, confessing that his only wish is to be with her forever. The phrase "my only, my only, only love" is repeated, emphasizing the depth of his feelings towards her.
The final verse is full of pathos, as the singer laments the pain he feels in his heart due to their separation. He wishes that Little Star could understand his emotions, and he implores her to take notice of his love for her. The imagery of the "little star aglow" suggests that the singer sees Little Star as a shining light in his life, something beautiful and untouchable. In conclusion, Chuck Berry's Little Star is a heartfelt plea for love and connection that resonates with anyone who has ever yearned for someone far away.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I'm happy and sometimes I'm blue;
I have moments of happiness and moments of sadness;
My only wish is depending on you.
My desire for happiness depends entirely on you;
Although you are so very far,
Despite the distance between us,
Please, help me, help me, Little Star.
I plead for your assistance, Little Star.
There is something about her that I cannot explain,
There is a mysterious quality about her that I cannot put into words,
And to be without her, it would drive me insane.
Without her, I would become mentally unstable.
Little star above, my wish is of
Oh, Little Star above, my heart's desire is
My only, my only, only love.
My one and only love.
If she only knew the pain in my heart,
If she only knew how much emotional pain I am experiencing,
And what I went through since we've been apart.
And the struggles I have faced since we have been separated.
Little star aglow, if she should know
Oh, shining Little Star, if only she were aware
My only, my only, only love.
That she is my one and only love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
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.