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.
Sue Answer
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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I done write her four wrotes now in a row and I ain't got nare a heard ye-ye-ye-yet
I write Sue an' told her if I don't see somethin' soon
I'm a-have ta start sneckin' in d-d-d-d-d-d-doors
She write back and sey, if you don't send somethin' soon
I'm a-have to sell somethin' of y-y-y-y-y-yours
She say the folks back home begin to t-t-t-t-talk
I got to get my reputation b-b-back again
And settle down and start walkin' the ch-ch-ch-ch-chalk
What be lookin' good to d'goose
Is gotta be groovy to d'g-g-g-g-gand
Two birdies in a bush ain't worth as much as one
Twitchin' right there in yo' h-h-hand
I sent Sue somethin' so I b-b-be safe
She write and sey I mighty nigh b-b-b-blew it
It won't matter which one wh-what you do
It b-be's in the way dat you d-d-d-d-d-do it
Chuck Berry's song "Sue Answer" is about a man named Sue who he has been corresponding with through letters. The first two lines of the song express Sue's importance to the singer. He is anxiously waiting for a letter from her and if he doesn't receive one, he is planning to leave town. He has written four letters to her but hasn't heard back from her yet. In the next two lines of the song, Chuck writes about sending Sue a letter telling her that if she doesn't respond soon, he will start sneaking into her house while she isn't around. Sue writes back and tells him that if he doesn't send her something soon, she will sell one of his belongings. We can tell that Sue is an important person to Chuck, and he will do anything to keep her attention.
In the following verse, Chuck talks more about Sue's impact on his life, and how he must maintain a good reputation since the people in his town are talking about him. He wants to settle down and start behaving more appropriately, as he believes this is what Sue wants for him. In the final verse, Chuck writes that what is important to him might not be important to others. It is all about perspective. He then talks about sending Sue something to ensure that he will be safe. She responds by telling him that he almost messed up, but regardless of what he does or sends, it matters how he does it.
Line by Line Meaning
If I don't get a letter from Sue tomorrow I'm a catch the next eastbound je-je-je-jet
If Sue doesn't reply with a letter, I'm going to catch the next eastbound jet as I'm desperate to hear from her.
I done write her four wrotes now in a row and I ain't got nare a heard ye-ye-ye-yet
I've written four letters to Sue consecutively, but I haven't received a single response from her yet.
I write Sue an' told her if I don't see somethin' soon I'm a-have ta start sneckin' in d-d-d-d-d-d-doors
I wrote to Sue and told her that if she doesn't respond soon, I'll have to resort to trespassing through doors.
She write back and sey, if you don't send somethin' soon I'm a-have to sell somethin' of y-y-y-y-y-yours
Sue responds saying that if I don't send something soon, she'll have to sell one of my possessions.
Sue don't allow me to m-m-mess around. She say the folks back home begin to t-t-t-t-talk
Sue doesn't let me mess around and tells me that people back in our hometown have started talking.
I got to get my reputation b-b-back again. And settle down and start walkin' the ch-ch-ch-ch-chalk
I need to get my reputation back and settle down by following a proper path of life.
What be lookin' good to d'goose. Is gotta be groovy to d'g-g-g-g-gand
What seems attractive to one person may not be the same for another.
Two birdies in a bush ain't worth as much as one. Twitchin' right there in yo' h-h-hand
Having one thing in possession is better than having two which can be lost. It's better to have a sure thing in your hand than two uncertain ones.
I sent Sue somethin' so I b-b-be safe. She write and sey I mighty nigh b-b-b-blew it
I sent something to Sue just to play it safe, and she responds saying that what I sent nearly destroyed everything.
It won't matter which one wh-what you do. It b-be's in the way dat you d-d-d-d-d-do it
It doesn't matter what you do, it's how you do it that defines the outcome.
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.