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.
Rit It Up
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Chuck Berry's song "Rit It Up" is an exuberant tribute to the joys of being young, free and single on a Saturday night. The lyrics describe the singer's excitement at having just been paid and his determination to make the most of his hard-earned cash by hitting the town and having a good time. The line "My heart says go go, have a time" perfectly captures the carefree attitude of the song, suggesting that the singer is ready to let loose and enjoy himself without worrying about consequences.
The upbeat rock and roll rhythm of the song perfectly reflects the energy and vitality of the lyrics, with the chorus urging the listener to "rock it up, rip it up, shake it up and ball it up". The focus is on the simple pleasures of being out with friends, and the song paints a vivid picture of the excitement and anticipation that comes with the promise of a night out on the town.
Overall, "Rit It Up" is a classic Chuck Berry song that perfectly captures the spirit and zest for life that characterised his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's Saturday night and I just got paid
After just receiving his paycheck, the singer feels excited and free to have fun.
I'm a fool away my money, don't try to save
The singer knows he will spend all his money foolishly and not bother saving any of it.
My heart says, "Go go, have a time"
The singer feels a strong desire to let loose and enjoy himself.
'cause Saturday night bar and I'm feelin' fine
The excitement of a weekend night out has put the singer in a happy, carefree mood.
I'm gonna rock it up, I'll rip it up
The singer plans to have a high-energy, wild night full of dancing and fun.
I'm gonna shake it up, I'm gonna ball it up
The singer wants to let loose, dance and party as much as possible.
I'm gonna rock it, ball tonight
The singer will be dancing and having a good time all night long.
I got a date and I won't be late
The singer has arranged to meet someone and promises to be on time.
Pickin' her up in my '88
The singer will use his car, a 1988 model, to pick up his date.
Cruise on down 'bout the union hall
The singer and his date plan to go to a location near a union building.
John starts jumpin', we'll have a ball
When their favorite musician John starts playing, they will dance and have a great time.
'Long about ten and I'm swingin' high
Around 10pm, the singer is feeling great and having a lot of fun.
Me and my baby, rocking up in the sky
The singer and his date are dancing so much that it feels like they are flying.
Don't care if I spend my dollar
The singer is so happy in the moment that he doesn't care if he spends all his money.
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be one happy soul
All the dancing and fun is making the singer feel extremely content and fulfilled.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ROBERT BLACKWELL, JOHN MARASCALCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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