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.
Run Around
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Lord knows that I love you, why can't we get along ?
You don't have to run around, doin' things you know is wrong
I'll do anything in this world to please you, but I won't let you run around
I'll do anything to please you darlin', but I won't let you run around
Last time I held on to you, this time I might put you down
So long pretty baby, no future for me and you
I love you too much to let you run around the way you do
The main idea behind Chuck Berry's song "Run Around" is heartbreak and the struggle of trying to keep a relationship together. In the opening lines, Berry expresses his love for his partner and asks why they can't get along. He also acknowledges his partner's behavior of running around and doing things that are not right, which causes tension in their relationship. Berry conveys his willingness to do anything to please his partner, as he wants to make things work out between them. However, he won't tolerate his partner running around anymore.
Berry's frustration comes out in the second verse, as he warns his partner that he won't let them run around anymore. In the past, he held on to his partner, but this time he might put them down. The chorus repeats the same line that Berry won't let his partner run around anymore. Finally, the song concludes with Berry stating that there is no future for him and his partner. He loves them too much to let them keep hurting him by running around.
Overall, Chuck Berry's "Run Around" is an emotional tale of love, heartbreak, and frustration. Berry does not want to give up on his love for his partner, but he also won't tolerate their harmful behavior. The lyrics communicate a message of not allowing someone to walk all over you and standing up for what you believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord knows that I love you, why can't we get along ?
I really love you and I wish we could work through our problems and find a way to get along.
You don't have to run around, doin' things you know is wrong
You don't need to go around doing things you know are wrong. You can choose to do the right thing.
I'll do anything to please you darlin', but I won't let you run around
I'll do everything I can to make you happy, but I can't let you keep making bad decisions.
Last time I held on to you, this time I might put you down
The last time we went through this, I let it go, but this time I might have to end things if you can't make positive changes in your life.
So long pretty baby, no future for me and you
It's time to end things between us because our relationship has no future.
I love you too much to let you run around the way you do
My love for you is so strong that I can't stand to see you continue down the wrong path.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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.