Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popularโand controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
Johnny B. Goode
Elvis Presley 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]
The lyrics of Johnny B. Goode tell the story of a young boy named Johnny, who resides in a log cabin in Louisiana near New Orleans. Though he struggled with reading and writing, he had a remarkable talent for playing the guitar, which earned him a reputation as a skilled musician. His mother, recognizing her son's musical abilities, encouraged him to continue pursuing his passion, telling him that he would one day become a man and leader of a famous band. Johnny's talents draw people from far and wide to hear him play, and he dreams of the day when his name will be up in lights as Johnny B. Good tonight.
The song celebrates the power of music to transcend social and economic barriers, as Johnny, a poor and uneducated country boy, manages to find success and recognition through his musical talent. The chorus, with its repeated call to "go, go, go, Johnny, go," emphasizes the fast-paced, high-energy nature of rock and roll music, inviting listeners to become part of the excitement and join Johnny on his musical journey.
Overall, Johnny B. Goode is a classic example of the type of music that Elvis Presley was famous for, with its catchy chorus, high-energy instrumental accompaniment, and focus on the power of musical performance to bring people together and create a sense of community.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Good was from Louisiana, which is close to New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Johnny B. Good's log cabin was in the woods, surrounded by evergreen trees.
Stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
The cabin where Johnny B. Good lived was made of logs and the earth.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Good
Johnny B. Good was a young, country boy living in the log cabin.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny B. Good wasn't very skilled at reading or writing.
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
Despite his lack of reading and writing skills, Johnny B. Good was a very talented guitar player.
Go, go, go, Johnny, go, go, go, Johnny, go, go
This phrase is an encouragement to Johnny B. Good to continue playing his music and pursuing his dreams.
Go, Johnny, go, go, go, Johnny, go, go
The chorus continues to encourage Johnny B. Good as he plays music.
Johnny B. Good
The title of the song is repeated here as a reference to Johnny B. Good himself.
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
Johnny B. Good's mother had high hopes for her son, telling him he would grow up to be a man one day.
And you will be the leader of a big old band
She also believed Johnny B. Good would one day lead a large band as a musician.
Many people coming from miles around
People would travel long distances to hear Johnny B. Good and his band play music.
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
Johnny B. Good's music was especially enjoyed when it was played as the sun was setting.
Maybe someday you name will be in lights saying "Johnny B. Good tonight"
Johnny B. Good's mother envisioned her son's name being displayed brightly in lights as he played music for his fans.
Lyrics ยฉ ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zunderz2662
Bro I swear this dude at my high school prom played this WAAAY before it came out
@justindeemy2462
Lmfaaoooo
@driluz8929
Maravilhoso!!! Magistral!! Elvis the KING!!!๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
@leonardlopez3538
Back to the Future
@kanyewest_news9169
Calvin kle- wait the underware guy did wth
@outgoingblur
Lol Back to the future
@user-xn7gy2ii1g
Some singers can sing rock .some ballads. Some pop.Elvis could sing anything โค
@josecarlosalbarracinsato9504
Calvin Klein is truly a genius, even Elvis plays his songs
@ImmortalLlama
I feel like some people dont understand this comment..
@lalboimanlun1230
@Dylan O Don't understand. Can you please explain?