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.
Vacation Time
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Picnics, beaches, and ball rooms,
Just me and my honey bun;
Home-work they shout,
Is over and out,
Vacation's just begun.
We'll spread a basket for two;
Then we'll discuss the future for us,
And I'll whisper love words to you.
Just can't wait for that swimmin' date,
To see your new bathing suit.
It must be a â??gasâ?? 'cause one you had last,
Gee! Was' it cute!
So we will dance and bypass romance,
Right now they say we're too young;
But I shall (will) marry you my love
As soon as you (we) reach twenty one.
The song "Vacation Time" by Chuck Berry is a celebration of summertime and the joy of taking a break from work and responsibilities to enjoy the company of a loved one. The lyrics paint a picture of idyllic leisure activities such as picnics, going to the beach, and dancing in ballrooms. Chuck Berry's upbeat and lively lyrics make it clear that the singer is eager to spend time with his "honey bun" and make the most of their vacation.
As the song suggests, this vacation is a time for dreaming about the future and planning for the possibility of a life together. The singer talks about whispering love words to his sweetheart and discussing the future for the two of them. The song also hints at the prospect of marriage, although the singer acknowledges that they are currently too young to tie the knot.
Overall, "Vacation Time" is a joyful ode to summer break and the excitement of spending time with a loved one. It captures the carefree spirit that comes with time off from work or school, and the sense of possibility that comes with new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Picnics, beaches, and ball rooms,
We will enjoy outdoor activities like picnics, beaches, and ball rooms together during our vacation.
Just me and my honey bun;
It will just be me and my sweetheart sharing this wonderful vacation experience.
Home-work they shout,
All the school work and responsibilities can stay at home and not bother us on our vacation.
Is over and out,
We don't have to worry about anything related to school or work anymore because vacation has officially started.
Vacation's just begun.
We are excited to start our vacation and all the adventures it has in store for us.
Far from the city, beneath a shade-tree,
We will go somewhere quieter and more scenic for our vacation, perhaps near a shady tree.
We'll spread a basket for two;
We will have an intimate picnic for the two of us while we enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Then we'll discuss the future for us,
We will have deep conversations about our future together during our vacation.
And I'll whisper love words to you.
I will unashamedly express my love for you during our romantic vacation together.
Just can't wait for that swimmin' date,
I am eager to go on a swimming date with you during our vacation.
To see your new bathing suit.
I'm excited to see the new bathing suit you bought for this occasion.
It must be a 'gas' 'cause one you had last,
I have high expectations of your cute bathing suit because the last one you had was awesome.
Gee! Was' it cute!
I remember how cute your previous bathing suit was and I can't wait to see this new one you got for our vacation.
So we will dance and bypass romance,
We will enjoy dancing and having fun together without worrying too much about romance.
Right now they say we're too young;
Others may think we're too young to be so in love but we don't care.
But I shall (will) marry you my love
I promise to marry you, my sweetheart.
As soon as you (we) reach twenty one.
We will wait until we're twenty one to get married, in accordance with the law.
Lyrics © 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.