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.
Rock´n Roll Music
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Any old way you choose it
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock - roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And change the beauty of the melody
Until it sounds just like a symphony
That's why I go for that rock'n'roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock - roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
I took my loved one over 'cross the tracks
So she could her my man a - whalin' sax
I must admit they have a rockin' band
Man they were goin' like a hurricane
That's why I go for that rock'n'roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock - roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Way down South they gave a jubilee
Them country folks they had a jamboree
They're drinkin' home - brew from a wooden cup
The folks dancin' got all shook up
And started playin' that rock'n'roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock - roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Don't care to hear 'em play the tango
I'm in no mood to dig a mambo
It's way too early for the congo
So keep a - rockin' that piano
So I can hear some of that rock'n'roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock - roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Chuck Berry's "Rock'n'Roll Music" is an ode to the genre that defined his era. The lyrics speak to the power and appeal of rock and roll, with its irresistible backbeat and flexibility. Berry acknowledges the varied styles of music that exist, including modern jazz and symphonies, but he is resolute in his preference for rock and roll. The song’s chorus, “Any old way you choose it, It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it, Any old time you use it, it's gotta be rock and roll music” is a declaration of the strength and universality of rock and roll.
The verses are a series of vignettes that pay homage to different regions of the U.S. and the ways in which people celebrated rock and roll. Berry describes hearing a saxophone player across the tracks, taking his loved one to hear a great band, and attending a jubilee in the South where country folks were drinking from wooden cups and dancing to rock and roll. Berry also dismisses other dance forms like the tango and mambo, urging the piano player to keep rocking out with rock and roll music.
Overall, "Rock'n'Roll Music" is a celebration of the power of rock and roll to bring people together and inspire joy and excitement. It is also a reminder of the influence that rock and roll had on American culture and music during the mid-twentieth century.
Line by Line Meaning
Just let me hear some of that rock'n'roll music
I want to listen to rock'n'roll music.
Any old way you choose it
It can be played in any style.
It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
It has a strong rhythm that makes it easy to dance to.
Any old time you use it
It can be played at any time.
It's gotta be rock - roll music
It has to be rock'n'roll music to satisfy me.
If you wanna dance with me
If you want to dance with me, play rock'n'roll music.
I have no kick against modern jazz
I don't mind modern jazz.
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
Unless they try to play it at an overly fast pace.
And change the beauty of the melody
If they change the melody and make it sound different.
Until it sounds just like a symphony
Until it sounds like classical music.
I took my loved one over 'cross the tracks
I went with my partner to another part of the city.
So she could her my man a - whalin' sax
So she could hear the saxophone player perform.
I must admit they have a rockin' band
I must admit they have a great band that plays rock'n'roll music.
Man they were goin' like a hurricane
They were playing with a lot of energy, like a storm.
Way down South they gave a jubilee
In the South, they had a festival or celebration.
Them country folks they had a jamboree
The people from rural areas had a party with music and dancing.
They're drinkin' home - brew from a wooden cup
They are drinking homemade alcohol from a wooden cup.
The folks dancin' got all shook up
The people dancing got really excited and energetic.
And started playin' that rock'n'roll music
They started playing rock'n'roll music and dancing to it.
Don't care to hear 'em play the tango
I don't want to listen to tango music.
I'm in no mood to dig a mambo
I don't feel like listening to or dancing to mambo music.
It's way too early for the congo
It's too early in the day to be listening to congo music.
So keep a - rockin' that piano
So keep playing the piano with a rock'n'roll style.
So I can hear some of that rock'n'roll music
I want to hear more rock'n'roll music.
If you wanna dance with me
If you want to dance with me, play rock'n'roll music.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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.