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.
Too Late
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Too late, too late to say goodbye
She's gone, she's gone, she left this mornin'
And this is how she said goodbye
Upon my pillow was a letter
She said, I still don't want to go
But if you don't change your way of livin'
You know I love you like no other
But you have played around too long
Goodbye, goodbye, I won't forget you
But I will be a long time gone
Too late, too late my heart keeps cryin'
I should have know you would go away
Too late, I know my heart is dyin'
It always seems to end this way
In Chuck Berry's song "Too Late," the singer is reflecting upon a relationship that has come to an end. The lyrics convey a sense of regret and sorrow as the singer realizes that it is too late to ask for forgiveness or try to salvage the relationship. The first line of the song sets the tone: "Too late, too late to ask forgiveness." The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the finality of the situation. The singer acknowledges that the woman has left and it's too late to say goodbye, underscoring the feeling of missed opportunity. The chorus also repeats the phrase "Too late," which drives home the point that there is no going back.
The second verse reveals that the woman left a letter on the singer's pillow. The letter conveys her sadness about leaving but also warns him that he needs to change his ways if he wants to keep her in his life. She expresses that she loves him but can no longer tolerate his behavior. The final lines of the verse, "But if you don't change your way of livin'/ May God have mercy on your soul," suggest that the singer's behavior may be self-destructive in some way. The third verse states that the singer has played around too long and acknowledges that the woman will be gone for a long time. He acknowledges that he won't forget her but recognizes that it's too late to change the outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
Too late, too late to ask forgiveness
The window of opportunity for asking for forgiveness has passed and it cannot be undone.
Too late, too late to say goodbye
The chance to say goodbye is lost and it can no longer be done.
She's gone, she's gone, she left this mornin'
The person the singer cares for has left and it happened this morning.
And this is how she said goodbye
The person who left did so in a way that the artist finds difficult to accept.
Upon my pillow was a letter
The artist has found a letter on their pillow, indicating that the person they care for has left them.
She said, I still don't want to go
The person who left did not want to do so.
But if you don't change your way of livin'
The person who left wanted the singer to change their lifestyle.
May God have mercy on your soul
The person who left suggests that the artist's current way of living is making things difficult for them and hopes that they will find guidance from God moving forward.
You know I love you like no other
The person who left wants the artist to know that they truly love them.
But you have played around too long
The person who left thinks that the artist has been acting irresponsibly for too long.
Goodbye, goodbye, I won't forget you
The person who left is saying goodbye, but will still remember the singer.
But I will be a long time gone
The person who left will be gone for a long time, likely indicating that they do not intend to come back anytime soon.
Too late, too late my heart keeps cryin'
The singer is in deep emotional pain, regretting the missed opportunities.
I should have know you would go away
The singer is realizing that they should have seen this coming and could have possibly prevented it.
Too late, I know my heart is dyin'
The singer is experiencing a very intense emotional pain and feeling as if a part of them is dying.
It always seems to end this way
The artist is lamenting that relationships always seem to end in this kind of pain and heartache.
Writer(s): Chuck Berry
Contributed by Charlie M. 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.