Johnny B. Goode
Elvis Presley; The Imperials Quartet; The Sweet Inspirations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Good
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
[Chorus]
Go, Johnny, go, go, go, Johnny, go, go
Johnny B. Good
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday you name will be in lights saying "Johnny B. Good tonight"
[Chorus]
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday you name will be in lights saying "Johnny B. Good tonight"
[Chorus]
Elvis Presley's "Johnny B. Goode" is a cover of the classic rock and roll tune written by Chuck Berry in 1955. The song tells the story of a country boy named Johnny B. Good who lives in a log cabin in Louisiana, where he learned to play the guitar by ear, despite never learning to read or write well. The song talks about how Johnny's mother pushes him to pursue a career in music, believing that he could become the leader of a big band and play for people who come from miles around to hear him.
The song is a tribute to the early rock and roll pioneers and their ability to create exciting, upbeat music that captured the hearts of young people across America. The chorus of "Go, go, go, Johnny, go!" is catchy and infectious, urging listeners to dance and sing along. The song features a standard rock and roll structure, with a driving rhythm guitar and a memorable lead guitar riff that has become one of the most recognizable in rock history.
What’s interesting about the song "Johnny B. Goode" is that it was based on the real-life story of Chuck Berry. Berry's first manager was Josephine Antoine, who encouraged him to write a song about a young boy who had the potential to become a star. Berry was inspired by Johnnie Johnson, a pianist who had helped him put together his band. Johnson's boogie-woogie style and fluid piano playing helped to shape Berry's sound, and he later credited Johnson as being a major influence on his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
In the heart of Louisiana, near the city of New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Far away from the city, surrounded by trees
Stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
There was a simple shack built of logs and dirt
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Good
A boy from the country, named Johnny B. Good, lived there
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Although he wasn't literate, he had another talent
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
He could play the guitar so well that it sounded like a bell ringing
Go, go, go, Johnny, go, go, go, Johnny, go, go
Encouragement to Johnny to keep performing
Go, Johnny, go, go, go, Johnny, go, go
More encouragement to Johnny to keep going
Johnny B. Good
The name of the song and the boy it's all about
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
His mother assured him that one day he would grow up
And you will be the leader of a big old band
She believed he would lead a large musical group
Many people coming from miles around
There would be many people who would come from far away to hear him play
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
They would come to hear him perform at sunset
Maybe someday you name will be in lights saying "Johnny B. Good tonight"
Perhaps one day his name would be up in lights, announcing his performance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind