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.
No Particular Place To Go
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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My baby beside me at the wheel
I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile
My curiosity runnin' wild
Crusin' and playin' the radio
With no particular place to go
Ridin' along in my automobile
So I told her softly and sincere
And she leaned and whispered in my ear
Cuddlin' more and drivin' slow
With no particular place to go
No particular place to go
So we parked way out on the Kokomo
The night was young and the moon was gold
So we both decided to take a stroll
Can you image the way I felt
I couldn't unfasten her safety belt
Ridin' along in my calaboose
Still tryna get her belt a-loose
All the way home I held a grudge
For the safety belt that wouldn't budge
Crusin' and playin' the radio
With no particular place to go
Chuck Berry's No Particular Place to Go is a vivid portrayal of a young couple enjoying a car ride with no particular destination in mind. The song features hard-hitting guitar riffs and Chuck's signature raspy vocals, creating a lively and fun atmosphere. The song begins with the couple riding in an automobile, with the singer stealing a kiss from his girlfriend at the turn of a mile. They are cruising, playing the radio, and enjoying each other's company with no particular destination in mind.
As the couple continues their journey, the singer becomes anxious to tell his girlfriend how he feels about her. He shares his feelings with her, and she leans in and whispers in his ear. They continue to cuddle and drive slowly with no particular destination in mind. The song's chorus emphasizes the fact that they have "no particular place to go," highlighting the carefree nature of their ride.
Towards the end of the song, the couple decides to park their car way out on the Kokomo and go for a walk. However, the singer becomes frustrated when he is unable to unfasten his girlfriend's safety belt. As they continue driving home, the singer holds a grudge against the safety belt that wouldn't budge.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint a picture of young love and the freedom that comes with being carefree and aimlessly driving around. The upbeat tempo and catchy guitar riffs make it a fun and memorable track, while the storytelling quality of the lyrics adds depth to the song's appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
Ridin' along in my automobile
Driving in a car
My baby beside me at the wheel
My significant other is driving the car
I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile
I kissed my significant other while driving
My curiosity runnin' wild
I was excited and curious about what was going to happen
Crusin' and playin' the radio
Driving around and listening to music
With no particular place to go
Without a specific destination in mind
I's anxious to tell her the way I feel
I was eager to express my emotions to my significant other
So I told her softly and sincere
I shared my feelings with her in a gentle and honest way
And she leaned and whispered in my ear
My significant other responded by whispering in my ear
Cuddlin' more and drivin' slow
We drove slowly and cuddled
No particular place to go
Still without a specific destination
So we parked way out on the Kokomo
We parked far away from other people
The night was young and the moon was gold
It was late at night and the moon was bright
So we both decided to take a stroll
We walked around together
Can you image the way I felt
I was feeling very happy and excited
I couldn't unfasten her safety belt
I had difficulty removing her seat belt
Ridin' along in my calaboose
Driving a car that feels like a prison (due to the seat belt)
Still tryna get her belt a-loose
Still struggling to remove her seat belt
All the way home I held a grudge
I was annoyed and upset about the seat belt
For the safety belt that wouldn't budge
Because I couldn't get the seat belt off
Crusin' and playin' the radio
Still driving around and listening to music
With no particular place to go
Still without a specific destination
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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.