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.
Lonely School Days
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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All chummy with somebody new
And I was all alone this morning
In sorrrow still loving you
I know it shows, I'm broken hearted
This feelin' just won't go away
I've been so lonesome since we parted
Lonely school days do I have when you
Come to school with someone new
In my deepest sorrow over losing you
Lonely school days keep me blue
I saw you eating in the lunch room
Right where we used to sit and dine
With someone snugged up close beside you
Enjoying pleasures that were mine
You talk to them along the hallways
You walk with them to classes too
You leave and go with them of evenings
And I go home alone and blue
Chuck Berry's "Lonely School Days" is a song about the heartache and loneliness of a teenager who has been left by their partner. The lyrics perfectly capture the desperation of the singer as he sees his beloved with someone new at school. The singer is resentful of his ex being happy with someone new after all that they had shared. As he sees them talking in the hallways and walking to classes, he is reminded of the happiness that they once shared.
The lyrics of the song reveal the internal turmoil of the singer, which is portrayed with great skill by Berry's heartfelt delivery. The song is a poignant reminder of the ups and downs of teenage romance and how it affects the emotions of teenagers. The theme of loneliness is pervasive throughout the song, with the singer feeling abandoned and alone following his separation from his partner. He is forced to watch as his ex moves on with someone new and, in the process, experiences a sense of regret and sorrow.
Overall, "Lonely School Days" is a timeless classic that showcases Chuck Berry's exceptional songwriting skills. The song is a testament to the power of music to convey strong emotions and is a reflection of the struggles and joys of teenage love.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you when you came in this morning
I noticed you walking in this morning
All chummy with somebody new
Getting along well with someone new
And I was all alone this morning
I was lonely when I saw you
In sorrow still loving you
Despite feeling sad, I still love you
I know it shows, I'm broken-hearted
My heartbreak is evident
This feeling just won't go away
I can't shake this feeling
I've been so lonesome since we parted
I've been lonely since we broke up
And I'll be blue again in school today
I'll be sad again at school today
Lonely school days do I have when you
I have lonely school days when you
Come to school with someone new
You come to school with someone new
In my deepest sorrow over losing you
I am incredibly sad about losing you
Lonely school days keep me blue
My loneliness at school makes me sad
I saw you eating in the lunchroom
I saw you having lunch
Right where we used to sit and dine
In the same spot we used to eat together
With someone snugged up close beside you
Someone is sitting close to you
Enjoying pleasures that were mine
Experiencing things we used to do together
You talk to them along the hallways
You chat with them in the hallways
You walk with them to classes too
You walk with them to classes
You leave and go with them of evenings
You go out with them in the evenings
And I go home alone and blue
I go home alone and sad
Lyrics © 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.