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.
You Never Can Tell )
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
And now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They furnished off an apartment with a two room Roebuck sale
The coolerator was crammed with TV dinners and ginger ale
But when Pierre found work, the little money comin' worked out well
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They had a hi-fi phono, boy, did they let it blast
Seven hundred little records, all rock, rhythm and jazz
But when the sun went down, the rapid tempo of the music fell
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They bought a souped-up jitney, 'twas a cherry red '53
They drove it down to Orleans to celebrate the anniversary
It was there that Pierre was married to the lovely mademoiselle
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
The song "You Never Can Tell" by Chuck Berry/Jerome Patrick Hoban tells the story of a young couple who get married at a young age, against the wishes of their elders. Despite this, the young couple, Pierre and his Mademoiselle, fall deeper in love and prosper in their married life, which includes renting a small two-room apartment, furnished with appliances bought on sale. Despite the difficulties of living on a small budget, the couple manages to make ends meet, and Pierre eventually gets a job that pays well. The couple enjoys their evenings, listening to their hi-fi system with their favorite records playing, and dancing the night away.
The chorus of the song, "C'est la vie", says the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell is a reminder that life is full of surprises and twists that one cannot foresee or control. Even though the young couple's life is not perfect, they are happy with each other and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The song, with its upbeat and lively tune, celebrates the idea that life, with all its ups and downs, is an adventure to be embraced.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a teenage wedding, and the old folks wished them well
A young couple got married and the older generation wished them happiness.
You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
It was evident that Pierre was deeply in love with his wife.
And now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
The newlyweds have officially tied the knot by ringing the bells in the chapel.
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
The phrase 'c'est la vie' is used by the older generation to express that life is unpredictable and full of surprises.
They furnished off an apartment with a two room Roebuck sale
The couple furnished their apartment by buying things on sale at Roebuck.
The coolerator was crammed with TV dinners and ginger ale
The couple stocked up their refrigerator with TV dinners and ginger ale.
But when Pierre found work, the little money comin' worked out well
When Pierre found a job, even though the pay was low, it was enough to support them.
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
The older generation uses the phrase again to express how unexpected life can be.
They had a hi-fi phono, boy, did they let it blast
The couple had a high-quality phonograph and loved to play music loudly.
Seven hundred little records, all rock, rhythm, and jazz
They had a collection of 700 records, all of which were rock, rhythm, and jazz.
But when the sun went down, the rapid tempo of the music fell
When it got late, they slowed down the music and listened to something more relaxed.
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
The older generation reiterates the unpredictability of life.
They bought a souped-up jitney, 'twas a cherry red '53
They purchased a modified car, which was a bright red 1953 model.
They drove it down to Orleans to celebrate the anniversary
They took their car to New Orleans to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
It was there that Pierre was married to the lovely mademoiselle
Pierre and his wife got married in New Orleans during their wedding anniversary celebration.
"C'est la vie", say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
The older generation repeats the phrase once again to express the inevitability of life's surprises.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
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.