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, Plรกcido 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.
Thirty Days
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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I done call up to the gypsy woman on the telephone
She gonna send out a world wide hoodoo
That'll be the very thing that'll suit you
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
Oh thirty days (thirty days!)
Oh thirty days (thirty days!)
Well, she's gonna send out a world wide hoodoo
That'll be the very thing that'll suit ya
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
I done talked to the judge in private early this morning
And he took me to the sheriff's office to sign a warrant
They gon' put a false charge again' ya (against ya)
That'll be the very thing that'll send ya
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
Oh thirty days (thirty days)
Oh thirty days (thirty days)
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
Yeah, we're gonna put a false charge again' ya
That'll be the very thing that'll send ya
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
If I don't get no satisfaction from the judge
I'm gonna take it to the FBI and voice my grudge
If they don't give me no consolation
I'm gonna take it to the United Nations
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
Oh thirty days! (thirty days)
Oh thirty days! (thirty days)
Baby, I'mma see that you be back home in thirty days
Well if you don't give me no consolation
I'm gonna take it to the United Nations
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days!
The song "Thirty Days" by Chuck Berry is about a man who is giving his woman thirty days to come back home. He calls up a gypsy woman who will send out a world wide hoodoo to help bring her back. He claims that he has talked to the judge in private and will put a false charge against her if she does not return in thirty days. Towards the end of the song, he mentions that if he doesn't get any satisfaction from the judge, he will take it to the FBI and eventually to the United Nations.
The lyrics of this song are cleverly written in a way that tells a story. The repetition of "thirty days" emphasizes the urgency and importance of the woman's return. The gypsy woman represents the mystical and unknown, adding an element of fascination to the song. The false charge that he threatens to enact demonstrates the desperation that the man feels towards getting his woman back.
In addition, the song employs a unique and catchy melody that has made it a classic hit. The chorus is sung with gusto and enthusiasm, making it an extremely memorable part of the song. The guitar riffs and drum beats add to the overall energy of the song, making it a lively and upbeat tune.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna give you thirty days to get back home
I'm giving you thirty days to return home
I done call up to the gypsy woman on the telephone
I called a gypsy woman on the phone
She gonna send out a world wide hoodoo
The woman will perform a worldwide hoodoo
That'll be the very thing that'll suit you
The hoodoo will benefit you
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days
I will ensure that you return home in thirty days
I done talked to the judge in private early this morning
I spoke to the judge privately this morning
And he took me to the sheriff's office to sign a warrant
He took me to sign a warrant at the sheriff's office
They gon' put a false charge again' ya (against ya)
They will falsely accuse you
That'll be the very thing that'll send ya
This accusation will cause you to be sent away
If I don't get no satisfaction from the judge
If I am not satisfied with the judge's decision
I'm gonna take it to the FBI and voice my grudge
I'll take the case to the FBI and complain
If they don't give me no consolation
If they don't provide me with any help or support
I'm gonna take it to the United Nations
I'll take it to the United Nations
Oh thirty days! (thirty days)
Oh thirty days!
Baby, I'mma see that you be back home in thirty days
I'll make sure you're back home in thirty days
Well if you don't give me no consolation
If you don't help me
I'm gonna see that you be back home in thirty days!
I'll still make sure you're back in thirty days
Lyrics ยฉ Kanjian Music, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Brazilian Atlantis
Other good guitar rock and roll from before 1956:
Junior Parker "Love My Baby"
Junior Parker "Sittin' At The Bar"
Pee Wee Crayton "Do Unto Others"
Pee Wee Crayton "Poppa Stoppa"
Johnny Watson "Space Guitar"
Jackson Brothers "We're Gonna Rock This Joint"
Earl King "Funny Face"
Guitar Slim "Guitar Slim"
Bill Haley "Rock Around The Clock"
Baby Face Lewis "Cherry Wine"
Earl Hooker "Move On Down The Line"
Elmore James "Strange Kinda Feeling"
Jimmy McCracklin "Rockin' All Day"
Jose Ermina
Joseph Scott thanks for your post, I didnยดt know anything of some of those guys...I repost it for more people to see it, thanks.ย
Junior Parker "Love My Baby"
Junior Parker "Sittin' At The Bar"
Pee Wee Crayton "Do Unto Others"
Pee Wee Crayton "Poppa Stoppa"
Johnny Watson "Space Guitar"
Jackson Brothers "We're Gonna Rock This Joint"
Earl King "Funny Face"
Guitar Slim "Guitar Slim"
Bill Haley "Rock Around The Clock"
Baby Face Lewis "Cherry Wine"
Earl Hooker "Move On Down The Line"
Elmore James "Strange Kinda Feeling"
Jimmy McCracklin "Rockin' All Day"
Erik Killmonger
Every time I discover a new song by this guy I'm knocked out by his lyrics. He's such a wordsmith.The first genius of Rock and Roll. And his guitar playing is fucking amazing.
Paul Neighbors
There was no rock and roll before Chuck Berry, he was the the best.
fshoaps
John Lennon's favorite lyricist!
Tattyshoes Shigure
Another amazing gem from Chuck Berry, surely one of the greatest, most prolific songwriters ever!
wrotenwasp
Havent listened to "regular"radio since I got XM in 2002 but wouldn't it be awesome to turn on the "radio" AM or FM and hear stuff like this? Either as an oldie or what's current. How could ANYONE not dig this kind of early rock and roll. Chuck is rock and roll.
โฆ๏ธ_Gabriel_โณ
There's ABC 50s I Guess.
RickGibbonsOfficial
That could be the hardest snare hit in an old rock song I've ever heard.
J.B. Beverley
Without Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and especially Ike Turner & The Kings Of Rhythm, there would have been NO rock and roll. THUMBS UP if you agree that nobody had a backbeat "groove" in the mid-late 50's like Chuck Berry.
Paul Neighbors
Turner an Little Richard were good but they came along later. Berry was playing and inventing before them. He was a few years older.
Dorin Riki
And Jerry Lee Lewis!