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.
Swanee River
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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River keep on rollin' up far
You know I didn't roam million miles away
From where my mama let me run and play
That's where my heart is cryin', Johnny
I'll be good to keep on rockin' up
That's where my grandma and my grandpa stayed
All the whole world today, so mixed up
People want to hassle me
Everywhere I go, every place I roam
I'm going back
Where I've been up on the swanee and picked up
My mammy's little sharny
'Cause that's where I belong
That's my grandma and my grandpa's home
If I would've done this like the old folks told me
Instead I like I wanted till
I believe I'd be in better shape today
At least I would not have no house and
But I took off on a double
And caused my, self a lot of trouble
And now I got to boogie like my grandma and my grandpa say
I am better tryna fool with these phoney
People I've been known are now far
A far, too far for my own good
I don't wanna to get myself together and go back
When I'm up on the swanee
Walk up to the river and stand there
Where my grandma and my grandpa stood
All, the whole world today, so mixed up
People want to hassle you
Everywhere you go, everywhere you stay
I'm going back
Where I've been up on the swanee and picked up
My mammy's little sharny
'Cause that's where I belong
That's my grandma and my grandpa's home
The song "Swanee River" by Chuck Berry is a heartfelt tribute to his family's roots in the south. Throughout the song, Berry expresses his longing to return to the place where he grew up and where his grandparents lived. The lyrics speak of the confusion and misunderstandings that exist in the world today and the desire to escape them by returning to a simpler time and place.
The opening lines of the song refer to two people, John and Georgia, who have never been to the Swanee River. This sets up the theme of the song, which is Berry's personal connection to the river and his family's history. Berry reflects on how far he has wandered from his roots and expresses his regret for not following the wisdom of his elders.
The chorus of the song is a statement of purpose, with Berry declaring his intention to return to the Swanee River and to the home of his grandparents. The use of the term "sharny" in the chorus is a colloquial term that refers to a cherished possession or memento, emphasizing the importance of family ties and memories.
The song's straightforward lyrics have a nostalgic quality that resonates with many people. The simple chords and bluesy rhythm provide a fitting backdrop to the theme of returning home to a place of comfort and belonging. Overall, "Swanee River" is a touching tribute to family and tradition that speaks to the universal desire for roots and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, John & Georgia never swanee
John and Georgia never went to Swanee River.
River keep on rollin' up far
Swanee River keeps rolling far.
You know I didn't roam million miles away
Chuck Berry did not wander far away from his childhood home.
From where my mama let me run and play
He loves the place where he grew up playing and where his mother allowed him to enjoy his childhood.
That's where my heart is cryin', Johnny
The place where he grew up is very dear to his heart and he misses it a lot, therefore he addresses Johnny as if he is listening to him.
I'll be good to keep on rockin' up
He promises to keep his musical career going strong.
That's where my grandma and my grandpa stayed
His grandparents lived there, which makes the place even more special to him.
All the whole world today, so mixed up
In the present day, the world is too complicated and confusing.
People want to hassle me
People bother him wherever he goes.
Everywhere I go, every place I roam
Wherever he goes, he faces people who bother him.
I'm going back
He is going back to the place where he grew up.
Where I've been up on the swanee and picked up
He went to Swanee and picked up his mother's sharny, a valuable family possession.
My mammy's little sharny
His mother's little possession has immense emotional value to him.
'Cause that's where I belong
He feels that he belongs in Swanee where he spent his childhood.
That's my grandma and my grandpa's home
His grandparents lived there and made him feel at home whenever he visited.
If I would've done this like the old folks told me
He regrets not doing things the way his elders had advised him to.
Instead I like I wanted till
Instead, he always did things his own way.
I believe I'd be in better shape today
He believes he would have been in a better place if he had followed the advice of his elders.
At least I would not have no house and
At least he would not have been homeless.
But I took off on a double
He made a hasty decision without thinking about the consequences.
And caused my, self a lot of trouble
His hasty decision led to a lot of trouble for him.
And now I got to boogie like my grandma and my grandpa say
He has to move fast to fix the situation, as his grandparents advised him to do so.
I am better tryna fool with these phoney
He would rather not waste his time dealing with fake people anymore.
People I've been known are now far
People who knew him before are no longer around him.
A far, too far for my own good
He feels that they are too far for him to reconnect with them, which is not good for him.
I don't wanna to get myself together and go back
He doesn't want to pull himself together and go back to the past.
When I'm up on the swanee
When he is in Swanee where he was raised.
Walk up to the river and stand there
He wants to go and stand by the river, reminiscent of his happy childhood.
Where my grandma and my grandpa stood
His grandparents stood there with him, creating fond memories of the place.
Writer(s): Chuck E. Berry, And Adapt.
Contributed by Jordyn D. 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.