Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
Johnny B. Good
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood an old cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like a ringin' a bell
Go 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 beneath the tree by the railroad track
The engineer would see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passin' by they would stop and say
Oh my how that little country boy can play
Go go go Johnny go go...
[ Guitar - piano ]His mother told him someday you gonna be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people comen from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights sayin' Johnny B Goode tonight
Go go go Johnny go go...
The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis's song Johnny B. Goode tell the story of a talented young country boy from Louisiana named Johnny who had an extraordinary musical skill. Although he was not a great reader or writer, he could play his guitar like nobody else, making it ring out like a bell with his expert playing talent. Johnny used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack and would sit beneath a tree by the railroad track, strumming with the rhythm that the locomotive drivers made.
As Johnny played, people would stop and listen, amazed by his musical talent, and his mother would tell him that one day he would be the leader of a big band, and people would come from miles around just to hear him play. The song ends on an optimistic note, suggesting that Johnny's name would someday be in lights, a testament to his incredible talent and hard work. The lyrics celebrate the power of music and the importance of determination in achieving one's goals, no matter the circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Lousiana close to New Orleans
In the heart of Louisiana, near New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Far back in dense forest full of greenery
There stood an old cabin made of earth and wood
An antique hut built with soil and timber
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode
A young rural lad residing there known as Johnny B Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Who couldn't acquire proper education
But he could play a guitar just like a ringin' a bell
Yet, he had mastered guitar playing
Go go go Johnny go go go Johnny go go
Play on Johnny, Play on!
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
His guitar was his prized possession in a jute bag he carried around
He sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
He would sit under a tree by the railway line
The engineer would see him sittin' in the shade
The train driver would notice him relaxing in the shadows
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
Strumming his guitar in synchronization with the train sounds
The people passin' by they would stop and say
People passing by would stop and comment
Oh my how that little country boy can play
How incredible this young rural musician sounded
Go go go Johnny go go...
Play on Johnny, Play on!
[ Guitar - piano ]
Instrumental
His mother told him someday you gonna be a man
His mother advised him that he will eventually grow up
And you will be the leader of a big old band
He will be the frontrunner of a huge musical ensemble
Many people comen from miles around
A great number of folks coming from faraway places
To hear you play your music when the sun goes down
To listen to him play music at sunset
Maybe someday your name will be in lights sayin' Johnny B Goode tonight
Probably, his name will be on display, as Johnny B Goode, touting his talents
Go go go Johnny go go...
Play on Johnny, Play on!
Writer(s): BERRY CHUCK, BERRY CHUCK
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.