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.
Roly Poly
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Poly, Roly Poly. If she were thin and without a double chin, there wouldn't be
So much for me to love. Roly Poly, Roly Poly
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's "Roly Poly" seem to be about a woman who is overweight but whom the singer loves anyway. Berry seems to be playing on the concept that society views thinness as desirable, but he is attracted to this woman despite her size. The line "If she were thin and without a double chin, there wouldn't be so much for me to love" suggests that he is specifically drawn to her appearance as an overweight woman, reminding listeners that beauty comes in many forms.
However, some may argue that the lyrics reinforce negative stereotypes about larger-bodied individuals. The repeated use of the term "Roly Poly" could be viewed as mocking or derogatory, and the idea that the singer "loves her anyway" despite her size perpetuates the idea that being overweight is a flaw that needs forgiving. Alternatively, some may interpret the lyrics as being accepting of different body types and celebrating the uniqueness of this particular woman.
Line by Line Meaning
220 pounds is a lot to carry round.
This woman is overweight, and her weight makes it difficult for her to move around quickly or easily.
You could even say that she is fat.
This woman is not just overweight, but likely considered obese according to societal standards.
Roly Poly, Roly Poly.
The repetitive phrase here emphasizes the woman's round, plump physique that the singer finds attractive.
If she were thin and without a double chin, there wouldn't be so much for me to love.
The singer is attracted to this woman precisely because of her size and the features associated with it, such as a double chin. If she were thinner, he believes he wouldn't have the same level of attraction to her.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Busted Cookout
This is pure genius
Son of JoJoGunne
Magic! Chuck and Johnnie Johnson!
Mike Lucyszyn
Discovered this from the tv series Crime story, soon as I heard it play I knew it was Chuck!!!
Roosevelt Davis
man that's beautiful. wow what a guitarist chuck were! the king of rock and roll himself Mr Chuck Berry.
PJ Riverdale
Chuck's earlier more tape echo laden studio sound displayed here.
Jefferson Stoiani
WoW
jaclestrat
mr r n r
Hugo AQ
Roly
Hugo AQ
Nick DeCastro Pues a volver a escuchar este gran tema ;)
Nick DeCastro
Hugo AQ Bienvenido de nuevo