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.
Ramona Say Yes
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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The neckline's down south, the hemline's way out west
All in favour of Ramona's style, say yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Oh, Ramona, dancing in her brand new dress
Ramona, you know, Ramona, you can do the monkey best
All in favour of Ramona's monkey, say yes
Ramona started shaking in her brand new short tight dress
The band keep blasting, but Ramona, she never rest
All in favour of Ramona, keep hollering yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Ramona looking good in her brand new short tight dress
Wow, Ramona, Ramona, how'd you learn that mess ?
All in favour of Ramona, just say yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
In Chuck Berry's "Ramona Say Yes," the singer praises a woman named Ramona for her style and dance moves. He admires her brand new dress, which has a low neckline and a short hemline. The lyrics suggest that Ramona is the center of attention at a party, and the band can't keep up with her dancing. The singer urges the crowd to celebrate Ramona's style and monkey dance moves by saying "yes" repeatedly.
The lyrics convey a sense of admiration and appreciation for Ramona's confidence and individuality. She stands out with her unique dress and dance style, and the singer encourages others to recognize and celebrate her. The repetition of the word "yes" emphasizes the enthusiasm and energy of the moment, as the crowd cheers for Ramona. Overall, the song celebrates the joy and freedom of self-expression and offers a fun, upbeat tribute to a woman who knows how to have a good time.
One interesting fact about "Ramona Say Yes" is that it was not originally released as a single. The song appeared on Chuck Berry's 1964 album St. Louis to Liverpool, but it was not marketed as a hit until later. In 1971, the song was re-released as a single and became a modest hit in the UK, reaching #35 on the charts.
Another interesting fact is that the song's playful lyrics and upbeat tempo were reminiscent of Chuck Berry's early rock and roll hits, like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene." Despite the similarities, "Ramona Say Yes" did not perform as well as Berry's earlier classics.
Line by Line Meaning
Ramona, Ramona, Ramona, where'd you get that dress ?
Chuck Berry is inquiring about the origin of Ramona's dress in a playful manner
The neckline's down south, the hemline's way out west
Chuck Berry is describing the revealing nature of Ramona's dress
All in favour of Ramona's style, say yes
Chuck Berry is praising Ramona's fashion sense and asking for agreement from the crowd
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
The crowd responds enthusiastically in agreement with Chuck Berry's praise of Ramona's style
Oh, Ramona, dancing in her brand new dress
Chuck Berry shifts the focus to Ramona's dancing in her new dress
Ramona, you know, Ramona, you can do the monkey best
Chuck Berry is complimenting Ramona's excellent monkey dance moves
All in favour of Ramona's monkey, say yes
Chuck Berry is again asking for agreement and approval from the crowd for Ramona's dance skills
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
The crowd responds with even greater enthusiasm to Chuck Berry's praise of Ramona's dancing
Ramona started shaking in her brand new short tight dress
Chuck Berry describes Ramona's energetic dancing in her tight new dress
The band keep blasting, but Ramona, she never rest
Chuck Berry highlights Ramona's stamina and the band's continuous playing as she dances
All in favour of Ramona, keep hollering yes
Chuck Berry asks the crowd to keep showing their support and admiration for Ramona's performance
Wow, Ramona, Ramona, how'd you learn that mess ?
Chuck Berry expresses amazement at Ramona's dancing skills, and asks how she became so good at it
Ramona looking good in her brand new short tight dress
Chuck Berry compliments Ramona's appearance once again
All in favour of Ramona, just say yes
Chuck Berry concludes the song by reiterating his admiration for Ramona and asking for the crowd's agreement one last time
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
The crowd responds with enthusiastic agreement to Chuck Berry's final request
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.