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.
San Francisco Dues
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They tell me ev'rything out there is really all right
All the boys are coolin' on the corner
The little girls out there are really out of sight
You know I'm gonna dig all the latest hap'nin's
And keep my dues paid ev'ry night
Went on a little trip last night
And ev'ry head was right on in there diggin'
Beautiful vibrations, had some heavy grooves
My chick was right on in there with me in heaven
Yes, we were payin' our San Francisco dues
Come on over to me, baby
I want you to satisfy my blues
I want you to let me know how much you really love me
You can tell me any old way you choose
While we lay back and dig the music
And pay our San Francisco dues
In Chuck Berry's song San Francisco Dues, he sings about going to San Francisco and how everything out there is really all right. He mentions how all the boys are coolin' on the corner and the little girls out there are really out of sight. He's excited to dig all the latest happenings and wants to keep his dues paid every night. Later on, he recalls going on a little trip and listening to some old Fillmore Blues. The music was so good that everyone was completely absorbed and had some heavy grooves. During this experience, Chuck's chick was right there with him and they were paying their San Francisco dues.
The song's lyrics describe the excitement of being in San Francisco during the 1960s. It was a time of a cultural revolution in America and San Francisco was at the center of it all. The city was filled with artists, musicians, and people seeking freedom and new experiences. Chuck Berry's lyrics capture the essence of this experience.
The song was released in 1967 and was composed by Chuck Berry himself. The song was included in his album San Francisco Dues. The album was his 25th studio album and was released under Mercury Records. The album was produced by Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, and Chuck Berry himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm goin' out to San Francisco
I am traveling to San Francisco
They tell me ev'rything out there is really all right
People have told me that everything in San Francisco is going well
All the boys are coolin' on the corner
The men are relaxing on the street corner
The little girls out there are really out of sight
The women in San Francisco are very attractive
You know I'm gonna dig all the latest hap'nin's
I am going to enjoy all of the latest events and trends
And keep my dues paid ev'ry night
I will make sure to pay for my entertainment expenses every night
Went on a little trip last night
I went on a trip last night
And the boys was playin' some of them old Fillmore Blues
The men were playing some traditional Fillmore Blues music
And ev'ry head was right on in there diggin'
Everyone was deeply enjoying the music
Beautiful vibrations, had some heavy grooves
The music was full of positive emotions and energy
My chick was right on in there with me in heaven
My partner was also enjoying the music with me
Yes, we were payin' our San Francisco dues
We were paying for our entertainment in San Francisco
Come on over to me, baby
Come closer to me
I want you to satisfy my blues
I want you to help make me feel better
I want you to let me know how much you really love me
I want to feel loved by you
You can tell me any old way you choose
You can express your love in any way you like
While we lay back and dig the music
While we relax and enjoy the music
And pay our San Francisco dues
And pay for our entertainment in San Francisco
Lyrics © 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.