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.
Still Got The Blues
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I had what he has, my blues would be gone
But, I've got the blues, nothing but the blues, for you
I could have been happy with fortune in vain
I have everything that a poor man could name
But, I still have the blues, nothing but the blues for you
Someone who'd even give me piece of mine
Talkin' the unknown, out of my head
I just can't remember I think that I've said
Give me chance and take me back
You'll see a change in the way I act
'Cause I got the blues, nothing but the blues for you
Sergeants all over think that I've found
Someone who'd even give me piece of mine
Talkin' the unknown, out of my head
I just can't remember I think that I've said
Give me chance and take me back
You'll see a change in the way I act
I won't have the blues, no, no blues for you
In Chuck Berry's "Still Got The Blues," the singer begins by acknowledging the ubiquity of the blues in music and expressing his own weariness with them. He notes that if he had what someone else has, his blues would be gone, but unfortunately, he still holds onto them because of his feelings for someone. The chorus repeats the refrain that he has nothing but the blues for this person, despite all of the possessions and wealth he could have had.
The second verse finds the singer referencing the opinions of "sergeants all over" who believe that he has found someone who will give him "piece of mine." He speaks about "talkin' the unknown" out of his head, suggesting that he is trying to clear his mind of false promises. Nevertheless, he still can't help but remember and long for the one he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you heard this song
I'm wondering if I'm the only one who's heard this song so many times, as if that's the reason for my blues.
If I had what he has, my blues would be gone
I envy someone who has something that I believe could cure my blues, but in reality, it's more complicated than that.
But, I've got the blues, nothing but the blues, for you
Despite any other factors, I'm still completely consumed by the blues when it comes to you and our relationship.
I could have been happy with fortune in vain
Even if I had wealth and material possessions, it wouldn't lift the weight of the blues off of me completely.
I have everything that a poor man could name
I have enough to get by and survive, but it doesn't make me immune to the blues.
Sergeants all over think that I've found
People around me assume that I've discovered something that has improved my mood and state of mind.
Someone who'd even give me piece of mine
They believe I've found someone who brings me peace of mind and relief from the blues.
Talkin' the unknown, out of my head
I'm struggling to sort through my thoughts and make sense of what's happening to me.
I just can't remember I think that I've said
I'm so overwhelmed and consumed by the blues that I can't even keep track of my own thoughts and actions.
Give me chance and take me back
I'm reaching out to you, asking for a second chance and hoping to make things right.
You'll see a change in the way I act
If you give me the chance to start fresh, I promise to behave differently and make things better.
'Cause I got the blues, nothing but the blues for you
Even with my plea and promise to change, I still can't escape the grip of the blues when it comes to you.
I won't have the blues, no, no blues for you
My hope is that if you take me back and our relationship improves, the blues will finally dissipate and no longer affect us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STANLEY JORDAN
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.