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 and Roll Music
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
I've have no kick against modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And change the beauty of the melody
Until they sound just like a symphony
That's why I go for that
Rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
I took my loved one over cross the tracks
So she can hear my man awailin' sax
I must admit the have a rockin' band
Man they were blowing like a hurricane
That's why I go for that
Rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
Way down South they gave a jubilee
The jokey folks they had a jamboree
They're drinkin' homebrew from a wooden cup
The folks dancin' got all shook up
And started playin' that
Rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
Don't care to hear 'em play a tango
I'm in the mood to dig a mambo
It's way to early for the congo
So keep a rockin' that piano
So I can hear some of that
Rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music" is a classic ode to the genre that takes its name from the song's title. In the song, Berry praises rock and roll as the ultimate dance music, and notes that it's far superior to modern jazz, which he feels is often played too fast and deviates from melody, making it sound like a symphony. Berry also praises the ability of rock and roll to make the listener want to dance, citing a number of examples where the music has had that effect. In the song's verses and chorus, Berry repeats the phrase "rock and roll music" over and over, emphasizing the key message of the song.
One interesting aspect of the song is its structure. The verses are all fairly similar, repeating the same melody and chords, while the chorus provides a contrast, featuring a different melody and chord progression. This creates a sense of tension and release, which mirrors the energy and excitement of the music that Berry is praising. Another notable aspect of the song is its reference to cross-cultural musical influences. Berry mentions the "jubilee" and "jamboree" down South where people were drinking "homebrew" and dancing to rock and roll music, suggesting that the genre has its roots in African American and Southern folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
Just let me hear some of that
I want to listen to rock and roll music
Rock and roll music
A genre of music characterized by a strong back beat and simple, catchy melodies
Any old way you choose it
Rock and roll music can be played in any style or fashion
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
The strong emphasis on beats 2 and 4 in rock and roll music makes it impossible not to dance to
Any old time you use it
Rock and roll music is appropriate for any time or occasion
It's gotta be rock and roll music
Only rock and roll music will suffice for dancing purposes
If you want to dance with me
My partner must enjoy dancing to rock and roll music
I've have no kick against modern jazz
I do not dislike modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
As long as modern jazz music is not played at a too fast tempo
And change the beauty of the melody
Modifying the melody to make it faster ruins the beauty of jazz music
Until they sound just like a symphony
Fast jazz music sounds like classical music
I took my loved one over cross the tracks
I brought my sweetheart across the train tracks
So she can hear my man awailin' sax
She is there to enjoy the sound of a great saxophonist
I must admit the have a rockin' band
The band is very talented and performs rock music very well
Man they were blowing like a hurricane
The band is playing very energetically and passionately
Way down South they gave a jubilee
A music celebration is happening in the South
The jokey folks they had a jamboree
People are having a fun and lively party
They're drinkin' homebrew from a wooden cup
People are drinking homemade beer from wooden cups
The folks dancin' got all shook up
People are dancing with great excitement and energy
And started playin' that
The people start dancing to rock and roll music
Don't care to hear 'em play a tango
I don't want to listen to a tango
I'm in the mood to dig a mambo
I feel like listening to a mambo
It's way to early for the congo
It's too early to start dancing to the rhythms of the Congo
So keep a rockin' that piano
Keep playing that piano with great enthusiasm
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, 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.