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.
Wuden't Me
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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And he got in deeper trouble with his mouth
They wouldn't let him phone or make a bail
Just let him sit there in that Delford County jail
It wudn't me, it wudn't me
I'm so glad it wudn't me
No phone, no bail, no plea
He had to break out of that Delford County jail
They put a Grand Dragon posse on his trail
And seven Alabama bloodhounds in a line
Buckin' and barkin' for a bite of his behind
It wudn't me, it wudn't me
I'm so glad it wudn't me
Hung posses ain't my cup o'tea
Oh, I'm so glad it wudn't me
He was streakin' through the Delta double three
But them hungry hounds was gainin'on his lee
His feet was playin' "Louisiana Bound"
Lord, you help me pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down (Amen)
It wudn't me, it wudn't me
I'm so glad it wudn't me
Prayin' ain't no sure guarantee
Oh, I'm so glad it wudn't me
He was streakin' through the Delta, stridin' wide
But that leadin' hound was meters from his hide
Lord, bless my feet, don't let 'em go corrupt
I'll lay 'em down as fast as you can pick 'em up
It wudn't me, it wudn't me
I'm so glad it wudn't me
Just meters from a canine jubilee
Oh, I'm so glad it wudn't me
He reached a highway through the ticket on the side
And a trucker came along and let him ride
But as he settled down to thank him for no harm
He saw a swasti-KKK band on his arm
That's when he knew he had to get on help his self
'Stead if sittin' pinnin' it on somebody else
He hung a left into that thicket 'cross the fence
And ain't nobody ever sawed or seen him since
It wudn't me, it wudn't me
I'm so glad it wudn't me
It ain't quite my kinda cup o'tea
Jeez, I'm glad it wudn't me
It wudn't me, it was not me
I'm so glad it wudn't me
It just ain't my kinda cup o'tea
Jeez, am I glad it wudn't me
The lyrics to Chuck Berry's "Wuden't Me" tell a story of a man who finds himself in trouble with the law after running a stop sign in the southern United States. He is arrested and put in jail, without being able to make a phone call or post bail. As he sits in jail, he is grateful that he is not in the same situation as some other inmates. Eventually, he breaks out of jail and is chased by posse and bloodhounds, praying for his safety. He eventually escapes with the help of a truck driver but discovers a Ku Klux Klan tattoo on the driver's arm. He decides to take matters into his own hands and disappear, never to be seen again.
The song highlights themes of systemic racism, injustice, and the consequences of one's actions. The singer of the story is relieved that he is not facing the same struggles as others, but he also recognizes the privilege he holds in terms of being able to escape while others are stuck in jail. Additionally, he realizes the danger that he faces just because of the color of his skin, seen through the encounter with the KKK tattooed truck driver.
Overall, "Wuden't Me" tells a captivating story that is woven together with themes of race and inequality, showcasing the harsh realities of the southern United States.
Line by Line Meaning
Old boy he ran a little stop sign in the south
The singer of the story ran a stop sign while driving in the southern United States.
And he got in deeper trouble with his mouth
The singer spoke in a way that led to more trouble.
They wouldn't let him phone or make a bail
The authorities did not let him make a phone call or post bail while he was being held in custody.
Just let him sit there in that Delford County jail
He was forced to sit in a prison cell at Delford County jail.
It wudn't me, it wudn't me
The artist repeatedly denies being the one who committed the crime.
I'm so glad it wudn't me
He is relieved that he did not commit the crime.
No phone, no bail, no plea
He was unable to make a phone call, receive bail, or put forward a plea.
He had to break out of that Delford County jail
The artist escaped from the Delford County jail.
They put a Grand Dragon posse on his trail
A group of individuals, likely linked to the Ku Klux Klan, were on the hunt for him.
And seven Alabama bloodhounds in a line
Seven bloodhounds were chasing after him.
Buckin' and barkin' for a bite of his behind
The dogs were aggressively barking and attempting to catch him.
Hung posses ain't my cup o'tea
The artist is not interested in running from violent and aggressive groups of people.
He was streakin' through the Delta double three
He was driving fast through a region known as the Delta 300.
But them hungry hounds was gainin'on his lee
The dogs were quickly gaining on him in pursuit.
His feet was playin' "Louisiana Bound"
He hummed the tune "Louisiana Bound" while running.
Lord, you help me pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down (Amen)
The artist is praying for strength to keep running.
Prayin' ain't no sure guarantee
Although he is praying, the artist isn't sure if it will be enough to save him.
Just meters from a canine jubilee
The dogs were close to catching him and would be overjoyed to do so.
He reached a highway through the ticket on the side
He stumbled upon a highway while fleeing from the dogs.
And a trucker came along and let him ride
A kind truck driver stopped and offered him a ride.
But as he settled down to thank him for no harm
As the artist relaxed and thanked the driver, he saw something concerning.
He saw a swasti-KKK band on his arm
The truck driver had a Nazi symbol and a KKK insignia on his arm.
That's when he knew he had to get on help his self
He realized that he needed to take matters into his own hands.
'Stead if sittin' pinnin' it on somebody else
Rather than blaming someone else for his predicament, he decided to take responsibility.
He hung a left into that thicket 'cross the fence
He turned left and ran into a thicket on the other side of a fence.
And ain't nobody ever sawed or seen him since
He disappeared and has not been seen since.
It was not me, it was not me
He admits that he was the one who ran the stop sign and got into trouble.
It just ain't my kinda cup o'tea
Being pursued and facing danger is not something he wants to experience again.
Jeez, am I glad it wudn't me
He is relieved that he was not caught again and is safe now.
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.