GO GO GO
Chuck Berry The Chess Years/Chuck Berry Lyrics
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Up comes the moon, twinkle, twinkle little star
One and one is two HITCHIN' two, to make it four
Johnny get your guitar, let's go, go, go
Johnny plays the guitar at the weekly record hop
He starts starts to twist and turn and then they wouldnæ?° let him stop
Girls so shook up, seein him shakin on the show
Duckwalkin on his knees, peckin like a hen
Lookin like a locomotive, here he comes again
Meow said the kitty PUPPY bow-wow-wow
Go and pick your guitar, Johnny donæ?° stop now, oh baby
Backed up by a jazz band, layin' on the wood,
Mixin Ahmad Jamal in my Johnny be Goode.
Sneaking Errol Garner in my Sweet Sixteen,
Now they tell me Stan Kenton's cutting Maybelline, oh baby
Papa said to Mama, this I never understood,
How he picks his guitar, make it sound so good.
Use to sound goofy, but I guess it's allright,
Cause Papa's takin' Mama to the gig tomorrow night, oh baby
The song "Go Go Go" by Chuck Berry is a lively and upbeat rock and roll tune that celebrates the joy of music and dance. In the first verse, Berry describes the transition from day to night, with the sun going down and the moon coming out. He uses playful language to describe the guitar, saying it is "ducking" and then "twinkling" as the night approaches. The second half of the verse introduces the concept of addition, with the line "One and one is two Hitchin' two, to make it four." This line suggests that the song is going to be a fun and lighthearted celebration of simple pleasures and basic math.
In the second verse, Berry introduces the character of Johnny, who plays the guitar at a weekly record hop. Johnny is a skilled musician who is able to get the crowd moving with his lively playing. The girls are described as being "shook up" by his performance, and everyone is encouraged to "go, go, go" along with the music. The final two lines of the verse suggest that the song is going to get even more lively and energetic, as Johnny keeps playing his guitar and getting the crowd excited.
The third and final verse of the song describes musical influences that have inspired Berry's playing. He mentions jazz musicians Ahmad Jamal and Errol Garner, as well as bandleader Stan Kenton. The lyrics suggest that Berry is proud of blending these musical styles into his own playing and that he is excited to share his music with others. The verse ends with a playful account of Berry's parents trying to understand his music but ultimately being won over by its infectious energy.
Line by Line Meaning
Down goes the sun, sitting, ducking on guitar
The sun is setting and Chuck Berry is putting away his guitar
Up comes the moon, twinkle, twinkle little star
The moon is rising and the stars are shining
One and one is two HITCHIN' two, to make it four
Adding one and one together equals two, which Chuck Berry is combining with two more to make four
Johnny get your guitar, let's go, go, go
Chuck Berry is telling Johnny to grab his guitar so they can go quickly
Johnny plays the guitar at the weekly record hop
Johnny is performing on the guitar at a weekly gathering for music lovers
He starts starts to twist and turn and then they wouldn't let him stop
Johnny is dancing and playing guitar so well that the audience wants him to continue without stopping
Girls so shook up, seein him shakin on the show
The girls are so excited to see Johnny's moves and guitar playing
Everybody starts to holler go, go, go
The audience is cheering and encouraging Johnny to keep playing
Duckwalkin on his knees, peckin like a hen
Johnny is imitating a duck by walking on his knees and then like a chicken pecking with his guitar-playing hand
Lookin like a locomotive, here he comes again
Johnny looks like a train coming through with his energetic performance
Meow said the kitty PUPPY bow-wow-wow
Chuck Berry is adding animal sounds for fun
Go and pick your guitar, Johnny don't stop now, oh baby
Chuck Berry is telling Johnny to keep playing and not to stop
Backed up by a jazz band, layin' on the wood,
Johnny is being supported by a jazz band as he plays his guitar
Mixin Ahmad Jamal in my Johnny be Goode.
Chuck Berry is incorporating the jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal into his song 'Johnny be Goode'
Sneakin Errol Garner in my Sweet Sixteen,
Chuck Berry is adding Errol Garner to his song 'Sweet Sixteen'
Now they tell me Stan Kenton's cutting Maybelline, oh baby
Chuck Berry has heard that the jazz bandleader Stan Kenton is playing the song 'Maybelline' by slowing it down
Papa said to Mama, this I never understood,
Chuck Berry's father is expressing confusion about how Chuck is able to play guitar so well
How he picks his guitar, make it sound so good.
Chuck Berry's father is amazed by Chuck's guitar playing skills
Use to sound goofy, but I guess it's allright,
Chuck Berry acknowledges that he used to sound silly playing guitar, but he's okay with it now
Cause Papa's takin' Mama to the gig tomorrow night, oh baby
Chuck Berry's father is excited to take his wife to Chuck's performance the next night
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind