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.
Sweet Little Rock And Roller
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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All dressed up like a downtown Christmas tree
Dancin' and hummin' a rock-roll melody
She's the daughter of a well respected man
Who taught her how to judge and understand
Since she became a rock-roll music fan
Her daddy don't have to scold her, her mother can't hardly hold her
She never gets any older, sweet little rock and roller
Should've seen her eyes when the band began to play
And the famous singers sang and barred away
When the stars performed, she screamed and yelled "hooray!"
Ten thousand eyes were watching them leave the floor
Five thousand tongues were screaming "more and more!"
And about 1500 waitin' outside the door
Sweet little rock and roller
Sweet little rock and roller
Sweet little rock and roller
Sweet little rock and roller
Sweet little rock and roller
Sweet little rock and roller
Sweet little rock and roller
Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Rock and Roller" is a tribute song to a young girl who loves rock and roll music. The song describes a 9-year-old girl who is dressed up in flashy clothing and dancing to the music. Her love for rock and roll is inherited from her well-respected father, who has trained her to understand and appreciate the genre.
The song highlights the girl's contagious energy and the effect she has on people around her. Her father doesn't have to discipline her because she is a good girl, and her mother is overwhelmed by her spunkiness. The girl's enthusiasm is also seen in her reaction to famous singer's performances when she would scream and yell "Hooray!".
The song also captures the essence of rock and roll concerts, with ten thousand people watching the performers leave the stage and five thousand screaming for an encore. The joy and excitement of rock and roll are perfectly represented in the song. "Sweet Little Rock and Roller" is a classic rock and roll song that celebrates the energy and spirit of the genre, and the love that a young girl has for the music.
Line by Line Meaning
She'd 9 years old and sweet as she can be
The little girl in question is just nine years old and exhibits extreme levels of sweetness.
All dressed up like a downtown Christmas tree
She is dressed up in a flashy manner like a Christmas tree in the downtown area.
Dancin' and hummin' a rock-roll melody
The little girl is dancing and humming along to a rock and roll tune.
She's the daughter of a well respected man
Her father is a respected member of society.
Who taught her how to judge and understand
He has educated her on how to judge and comprehend music.
Since she became a rock-roll music fan
Ever since she became a fan of rock and roll music.
Sweet little rock and roller, sweet little rock and roller
She is the sweet little girl who likes to rock and roll.
Her daddy don't have to scold her, her mother can't hardly hold her
Her father doesn't need to discipline her, and her mother struggles to control her.
She never gets any older, sweet little rock and roller
Even as time passes, she remains the same sweet little girl who loves rock and roll music.
Should've seen her eyes when the band began to play
Her excitement was evident when the band started playing.
And the famous singers sang and barred away
She was thrilled when the well-known singers began performing with great energy.
When the stars performed, she screamed and yelled "hooray!"
She cheered loudly and shouted "hooray!" in excitement when the celebrities took the stage.
Ten thousand eyes were watching them leave the floor
The performers left the stage to an audience of ten thousand watching eyes.
Five thousand tongues were screaming "more and more!"
The crowd of five thousand people were shouting "encore!"
And about 1500 waitin' outside the door
There were approximately 1500 people waiting outside the door.
Sweet little rock and roller
This sweet little girl loves to rock and roll.
Sweet little rock and roller
She is sweet little girl who enjoys rock and roll music.
Sweet little rock and roller
She is a sweet little girl who loves to rock and roll.
Sweet little rock and roller
She just remains the same sweet little girl who enjoys rock and roll music.
Sweet little rock and roller
She is a sweet little girl who loves to rock and roll.
Sweet little rock and roller
She is a sweet little girl who likes to rock and roll.
Sweet little rock and roller
This girl is as sweet as ever, and she still loves to rock and roll.
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.