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.
Oh Baby Doll
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When bells ring out the summer free
Oh baby doll
Will it end for you and me?
We'll sing our old Alma Mater
And think of things that used to be
I remember it so well
We used to have so much fun
When we were walking to school
If we stopped off to hear
The latest songs they sing
And we just make it in
Before the bells would ring
Oh baby doll!
When bells ring out the summer free
Oh baby doll
Will it end for you and me?
We'll sing our old Alma Mater
And think of things that used to be
Oh baby doll!
When bells ring out the summer free
Oh baby doll
Will it end for you and me?
We'll sing our old Alma Mater
And think of things that used to be
When the teacher was gone
That's when we'd had a ball
We use to dance and play
All up and down the hall
We had a portable radio
We was ballin' the jack
We'd be all back in order
When the teacher got back
Oh baby doll!
When bells ring out the summer free
Oh baby doll
Oh will it end for you and me?
We'll sing our old Alma Mater
And think of things that used to be
Chuck Berry's song "Oh Baby Doll" is a nostalgic and wistful tune that reminisces about the simple joys and pleasures of youth, school days, and the past. The song's lyrics revolve around the memories of a man and his "baby doll" spending time together during their school days. The song's beginning lines imagine a time when their youth was free, and they could enjoy themselves without the pressures of adulthood. As they walk to school and listen to their favorite songs, they live for the moment before the bells ring, and they have to be in class.
The song's chorus of "Oh baby doll! When bells ring out the summer free, will it end for you and me? We'll sing our old Alma Mater and think of things that used to be" speaks to the bittersweet feeling at the heart of the song. The singer knows that their idyllic time together will end eventually, but they're holding on to the memories and the hope that something will survive. Through the lyrics, the song expresses the desire to hold onto youth and to make the most of it.
Overall, "Oh Baby Doll" is an ode to the past, a song that captures the joy and excitement of youth and the way it shapes our adult lives, as well as the nostalgia that we feel in looking back at those times.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baby doll!
Chuck Berry is addressing his lover or significant other and starting the song with a sweet term of endearment.
When bells ring out the summer free
This line refers to the end of the school year when summer break begins and the bells ring signifying the start of the season of freedom and adventure.
Oh baby doll
The repetition of this line serves as a refrain and emphasizes Chuck Berry's affection for his lover who he's reminiscing with.
Will it end for you and me?
Berry is asking if their relationship will survive the end of the school year and summer break as they face a new chapter in their lives.
We'll sing our old Alma Mater
The Alma Mater is the school song or anthem that students often sing at graduation or other school-related events. They plan to sing it and remember the good times they had in school.
And think of things that used to be
By singing the Alma Mater, they will remember the past and reflect on memories of their time together in school.
I remember it so well
Berry is reminiscing about his past and describing how vividly he remembers their happy moments.
Back when the weather was cool
Berry is recalling a time when the weather was conducive and agreeable and they were able to enjoy their time in school.
We used to have so much fun
Berry is expressing how much they enjoyed their time in school and how they had many happy moments together.
When we were walking to school
This line emphasizes that Berry and his lover walked to school together and further emphasizes their connection even in mundane activities.
If we stopped off to hear
Berry is referring to times when they stopped to listen to the latest songs in town while walking to school.
The latest songs they sing
Berry is emphasizing that they enjoyed listening to the music, and it served as a happy distraction for them while on their way to school.
And we just make it in
Berry is conveying that sometimes, the time it took to listen to the music caused them to run short of time in getting to school on time for classes.
Before the bells would ring
They made sure they got to school before the bells rang to avoid getting into trouble with the teachers.
When the teacher was gone
Berry is describing moments when their teacher was absent, and they had the chance to have fun in the classroom.
That's when we'd had a ball
When the teacher was absent, they had a great time together and enjoyed each other's company.
We use to dance and play
Berry is describing the fun activities they engaged in when the teacher was not around, often dancing and playing games together.
All up and down the hall
They used the classroom and even the hallways as their playground, wherever and whenever they found space and freedom.
We had a portable radio
Berry is describing the tool they used to play music and have more fun in class when the teacher was absent.
We was ballin' the jack
This line refers to the popular dance move at the time, also known as the Jitterbug, that they enjoyed doing to the music on the radio.
We'd be all back in order
Once they heard the teacher coming back, they quickly put everything back in its place, sat in their seats and became quiet.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Momo Giraf
Thanks for putting this up. Chuck put many strands of cool American music, the wittiest and coolest lyrics EVER, and total mastery of his medium, all together in such a dynamite package, that blew us kids away. And it still does, all these years later. Just three chords and a ton of talent. He wrote and sang his own songs, and his blazing guitar playing came out of nowhere, ready-made. AWESOME is the word. HAIL HAIL ROCK AND ROLL!!
MGB
Pure Rock n Roll, got this on my 1955 Jukebox, Chuck Berry the king of Rock.
EmilyARTS
Dude his dancing is wicked! So original. I mean, that's seriously brill!!!
allaboard70
Awesome song and footage. This wasn't a very big hit at the 50's, but the track is out on a lot of collection albums recent years. I think more people listen today than back in years!
Joe studly
One of my favourates
bigbirdandsnuffyfan
Without a doubt - The King of Rock 'n' Roll, great clip! one of his lesser known songs but a real gem.
Paul Last
The true king of Rock & Roll.
50sRockabilly
This is pure Rockabilly, like many songs Chuck recorded in the 50s. He mixed Rhythm & Blues with Hillbilly Music.
Patrick Murphy
Chuck Berry really can move, sings and play the guitar all at the same time which is truly amazing to this date.
MrEvaSoBad
RIP, the Real King of Rock n Roll!!!