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.
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 © Kanjian Music, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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.