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 Two
Chuck Berry Lyrics
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We two, you two, no more
Way out somewhere in the country
Where we've never been before
Let's throw it on a weekend
We two, you two, no more
And lounge away a holidayLike we've never done before
We'll bring the rounds and some jazzy sound
To play by a cozy fire
You two roast wieners and we'll toast the buns
And we'll chow till the night grows nighter
We'll call for you on the weekend
We two, you two, no more
And ride out somewhere in the country air
Just a cozy clan of four
The opening lyrics to Chuck Berry's "You Two" present us with the idea of having a mutual cookout between two couples; "We two, you two, no more". Berry describes the desire to go somewhere "way out somewhere in the country", a place that would be new and uncharted territory for these two couples. The song then moves into the planning phase of the event, with the suggestion to have it on a weekend; a time where everyone can lounge away and take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Berry then goes on to use some colorful language to paint a picture of the party; bringing rounds, having a "jazzy sound" to play by a "cozy fire", toasting buns and roasting wieners. It's a laid-back, fun atmosphere that is being described, with each couple contributing to the meal. The final verse of the song doubles down on the excitement about the getaway weekend, with the promise to "ride out somewhere in the country air" as a "cozy clan of four".
Overall, "You Two" presents an inviting snapshot of an idyllic, simple weekend spent with friends. Berry masterfully creates a positive, hopeful atmosphere that makes us want to break free from our mundane lives and have an adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's throw a twilight cookout
Let's plan an evening barbecue party
We two, you two, no more
Just the four of us- you and your partner, and me and my partner
Way out somewhere in the country
We should throw the party in a rural area, away from the city
Where we've never been before
We should choose a location that none of us have visited previously
Let's throw it on a weekend
We should plan the party on a weekend
And lounge away a holiday
And spend a relaxing day off together
Like we've never done before
We should make this party extra special and different from our usual routines
We'll bring the rounds and some jazzy sound
We'll provide drinks and some enjoyable music
To play by a cozy fire
To enjoy by a warm and comfortable fireplace
You two roast wieners and we'll toast the buns
You and your partner can cook hot dogs while we prepare the buns
And we'll chow till the night grows nighter
And we'll keep eating until late into the night
We'll call for you on the weekend
We'll contact you to confirm the time and location of the party
And ride out somewhere in the country air
And travel to a rural area where we can breathe fresh air
Just a cozy clan of four
Just the four of us having a good time together
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.