Johnny B. Goode
George & Destroyers Thorogood Lyrics
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Back in New Orleans
Way back up in the woods
Among the evergreens
Stood a log cabin
Made of earth and wood
Where lived a hillbilly boy
Named Johnny B. Goode
To read or write so well
But he could rock n' roll
Like a bat out of hell
Go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar
In a gunny sack
He sit down by the tree
By the railroad track
The engineer could see him
Sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm
That the drivers made
People passing by
They would stop and say
My that St. Louie boy can play
Go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Johnny B. Goode
His mother told him someday you'll be a man
You'll be the leader of a really cool band
Many people coming from a-miles around
To hear you get it on when the sun goes down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Go Johnny go, go
Johnny B. Goode
The song "Johnny B. Goode" by George & Destroyers Thorogood takes listeners on a journey to Louisiana, back in New Orleans, all the way back up in the woods among the evergreens, where there stood a log cabin made of earth and wood. It was the home of a hillbilly boy named Johnny B. Goode. Johnny B. Goode was not one to excel in his academic pursuits as he struggled to read or write, but he had a gift that he excelled at—rock n' roll. He became a guitarist, carrying his guitar around in a gunny sack wherever he went. Johnny would sit down by the railroad tracks and play to the rhythm that the trains would make, attracting passersby who would stop and admire him.
The lyrics reveal how his mother believed that he would lead a genuinely cool band someday, and many people would come from miles around to hear him play whenever the sun goes down. The song ends on a high note, with his name being in lights one day, proclaiming, "Johnny B. Goode tonight" to an even more extensive audience. The song's message encourages us to pursue our passions, regardless of what others may say, and to nurture our gifts so that they can take us further than we may have initially thought.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana
We start our story in the southern state of Louisiana.
Back in New Orleans
In the city of New Orleans to be exact.
Way back up in the woods
In the forested areas further north.
Among the evergreens
Where the trees are still green throughout the year.
Stood a log cabin
There was a small house made of logs.
Made of earth and wood
Constructed using natural materials found in the area.
Where lived a hillbilly boy
A young man who lived a simple life in the country.
Named Johnny B. Goode
This boy's name was Johnny B. Goode.
Who never ever learned
Johnny was not given a formal education in his childhood.
To read or write so well
He struggled with basic literacy.
But he could rock n' roll
Johnny had a talent for playing music in the rock n' roll genre.
Like a bat out of hell
He played with great energy and enthusiasm.
Go
An exclamation to encourage Johnny to continue playing.
Go Johnny go, go
Keep playing, Johnny! You're doing great!
Go Johnny go, go
Don't stop now! Keep up the great work!
Go Johnny go, go
Keep on rockin'!
Go Johnny go, go
Don't let anything stop you, Johnny!
Johnny B. Goode
Johnny's nickname because of his musical talent.
He used to carry his guitar
Johnny would always have his guitar with him.
In a gunny sack
He would carry his guitar in a large cloth sack.
He sit down by the tree
Johnny would sit and play his guitar next to a tree.
By the railroad track
On the tracks where the trains would pass by.
The engineer could see him
The train driver passing by would notice Johnny playing music.
Sitting in the shade
Johnny would sit in the shade of the tree to escape the sun's heat.
Strumming with the rhythm
He would play his guitar to match the rhythm of the passing trains.
That the drivers made
The sound of the train on the tracks created a beat for Johnny to play along with.
People passing by
As people traveled nearby, they would hear Johnny playing.
They would stop and say
Some would even stop to listen to Johnny's music.
My that St. Louie boy can play
Those who heard him play would remark on how talented Johnny was.
His mother told him someday you'll be a man
Johnny's mother knew he would grow up to be a successful musician one day.
You'll be the leader of a really cool band
She predicted that Johnny would become the head of a great musical group.
Many people coming from a-miles around
People would come from far and wide to listen to Johnny play.
To hear you get it on when the sun goes down
People wanted to hear Johnny play music late into the night.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Johnny's mother had high hopes for his future success.
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
People would come to shows and scream out Johnny's name when he stepped onto the stage.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bra8623
Ladies and Gentleman , Mr. George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers.
Rockpalast, Loreley, St. Goarshausen, Germany, July 8, 1995
George Thorogood – lead vocals and lead guitar
Jeff Simon – drums, percussion (1973–present)
Billy Blough – bass guitar (1976–present)
Jim Suhler – rhythm guitar (1999–present)
Hank "Hurricane" Carter – saxophone (1980–2003)
This was so awesome , and hard to top. Simply the best...
@user-tw3uu8ez7u
George Torogood is one of the best guitarists of the 20th century. Did these people back in 1995 realize what they had witnessed? To play rock and roll in such a furious rhythm with alternating fingers .. not everyone can do that. Only the elect of God ... A tribute to your talent, George !!!
@joseaguilera1201
Los Rockeros somos los malditos por tú dios y vamos al infierno.
@malcolmrobey2769
Excellent. Cover. Version 😂😊😊😊😊😊
@anthonyassenheim9115
You need to learn to spell!
@user-bobcrosier
Agree
@cassiecarson4367
I was a teen in the 60's and the music back then was mild compared to this. I love it. I'm 71 now and the likes of George Thorogood and AC/DC put the rock in rock n roll. Bring it on!
@garnetanderson8472
This man and his band should be in HOF. Don't understand why not .
@stephenmontgomery6186
Brilliant.... same vintage... know what you're saying ye 😂
@stephenmontgomery6186
Yee ha...
@rosshilton
If you like ACDC take a listen to the Angels with Doc Neeson. Probably the hardest hitting Aussie pub rock band I ever saw. Neeson was nuts. Watch the end of the "under the southern cross" concert on Youtube to see what I mean.......