Rip It Up
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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Well it's Saturday night and I just got paid
I'm a fool away my money, don't try to save
My heart says, "Go go, have a time"
'cause Saturday night bar and I'm feelin' fine

I'm gonna rock it up, I'll rip it up
I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
I'm gonna rock it, ball tonight

I got a date and I won't be late
Pickin' her up in my '88
Cruise on down 'bout the union hall
John starts jumpin', we'll have a ball

Gonna rock it up, yes, I'm gonna rip it up
I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
I'm gonna rock it and ball tonight

'Long about ten and I'm swingin' high
Me and my baby, rocking up in the sky
Don't care if I spend my dollar
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be one happy soul

I'm gonna rock it up, I'll rip it up




I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
I'm gonna rock it and ball tonight

Overall Meaning

The song "Rip It Up" by Chuck Berry is an upbeat, feel-good track that celebrates the joy of Saturday nights and living in the moment. The lyrics describe the singer's attitude towards his money, which he spends carelessly without any regard for saving. The singer's heart implores him to not waste any time and to enjoy himself on this particular Saturday night. The song's chorus establishes that he is going to "rock it up" and "rip it up" which is a reference to partying and having a good time. The singer is ready to shake things up and enjoy a wild night out.


The second verse of the song emphasizes the singer's eagerness to go out and have a good time. He has a date lined up, and he is going to pick her up in his '88 car. The lyrics describe the couple cruising down to the "union hall" where they plan on letting loose and having fun. The singer uses the phrase "rock it up" and "rip it up" again, confirming that they are going to party hard that night. The third and final verse reveals that the singer and his baby are "rocking up to the sky" and are "one happy soul" because they have just had the time of their lives.


Overall, "Rip It Up" is a fun, enthusiastic song that encourages listeners to live in the moment and enjoy themselves without worrying about what tomorrow holds. The song is a testament to Chuck Berry's rock and roll legacy and his ability to pen catchy, relatable tunes.


Line by Line Meaning

Well it's Saturday night and I just got paid
It's the weekend and I have money to spend


I'm a fool away my money, don't try to save
I tend to spend my money carelessly without saving anything


My heart says, "Go go, have a time"
My inner voice tells me to have fun and enjoy myself


'cause Saturday night bar and I'm feelin' fine
It's Saturday night and I'm in a good mood, ready to go out


I'm gonna rock it up, I'll rip it up
I'm going to party hard and have a great time


I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
I'm going to dance and have a lot of fun


I'm gonna rock it, ball tonight
I'm going to have a wild and exciting night


I got a date and I won't be late
I have plans with someone and I won't keep them waiting


Pickin' her up in my '88
I will be driving my 1988 car to pick up my date


Cruise on down 'bout the union hall
We will be going to the union hall and enjoying ourselves


John starts jumpin', we'll have a ball
The music starts, and we will dance and have a great time


Gonna rock it up, yes, I'm gonna rip it up
I'm going to party and have a lot of fun


I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
I'm going to have a great time dancing and having fun


I'm gonna rock it and ball tonight
I'm going to have a wild and memorable night


'Long about ten and I'm swingin' high
It's around 10 PM and I'm in the swing of things, really enjoying myself


Me and my baby, rocking up in the sky
My date and I are really dancing and having a great time


Don't care if I spend my dollar
I'm not too worried about spending my money tonight


'Cause tonight I'm gonna be one happy soul
Tonight is going to be a lot of fun and I will be truly happy


I'm gonna rock it up, I'll rip it up
I'm going to party hard and have a great time


I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
I'm going to dance and have a lot of fun


I'm gonna rock it and ball tonight
I'm going to have a wild and exciting night




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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.

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