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 Be Good
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny be 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
Go Johnny Go, Go
Go Johnny Go, Go
Johnny be good
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Engineers used to see him sitting in the shade
strumming to the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by they would stop and say
Oh my, but that lttle country boy sure can play
(Chorus)
his Mama told him someday you would be a man
You would be the leader of a big old band
Many people will be coming from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Saying Johnny be good tonight
(Chorus)
Jerry Lee Lewis's "Johnny Be Good" tells the story of a young, talented, country boy named Johnny who lives in a log cabin deep in Louisiana. Despite his lack of formal education, Johnny is a master at playing the guitar, with the skill to create harmonious melodies that astound all who hear him play. He carries his precious guitar in a gunny sack and often sits beneath a nearby railroad track, strumming the guitar in rhythm with the trains that pass by. The bystanders who watch nature's harmony unfold often stop to listen and remark on his virtuosity.
The second verse of the song leaves room for Johnny's mother to come into the story. She affirms that he'll grow up to be a man, and that someday he'll become the leader of a famous band. Thousands of people around the world will come to listen to him play his music in awe, basking in the warm glow of his limelight. She directs her words of faith and confidence to him, prophesizing that his name will soon become legendary in the world of music – ‘Johnny Be Good Tonight.'
Jerry Lee Lewis's "Johnny Be Good" is a lively depiction of the musical talent that pierces through the heart of country Louisiana. It showcases how a simple man can create poignant music that brings joy to many peoples’ lives, and how an entire community can rally around a gifted musician to celebrate his role in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny was from deep in Louisiana, near New Orleans.
Way back in the woods among the evergreens
He lived in a log cabin in the woods.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Johnny's home was a log cabin made from natural materials.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny be good
This is where Johnny lived, and he was known for his musical abilities.
who never ever learned to read or write so well
Despite some educational challenges, Johnny was musically gifted.
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
Johnny had a way with playing guitar that was special and unique.
Go Go
This is part of the chorus, meant to encourage Johnny and get the audience dancing.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The chorus encourages Johnny to keep going and to keep playing music.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The repetition of the chorus is meant to energize and excite the crowd.
Go Johnny Go, Go
This encourages Johnny to keep playing his music with enthusiasm.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The final repetition of the chorus is meant to really get Johnny and the crowd going.
Johnny be good
This is the main message of the song: Johnny is really good at what he does.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny would carry his guitar around in whatever container he had available.
Sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Johnny liked to play music outside, under trees and near railroads.
Engineers used to see him sitting in the shade
Train engineers would see Johnny sitting in the shade, playing his guitar.
strumming to the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny would play in time with the sound of the passing train.
People passing by they would stop and say
Johnny attracted the attention of people passing by, and they would often stop to listen.
Oh my, but that lttle country boy sure can play
People who stopped to listen would be impressed by Johnny's musical abilities.
his Mama told him someday you would be a man
Johnny's mother believed that he would grow up to be successful.
You would be the leader of a big old band
Johnny's mother predicted that he would lead a successful music group.
Many people will be coming from miles around
Johnny's music would be popular and draw fans from far away.
To hear you play your music when the sun goes down
Johnny would play music late into the night for fans who came from far and wide.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Johnny would be so successful that his name would be in lights on a marquee.
Saying Johnny be good tonight
The message of the song would be cemented by Johnny's musical success and fame.
Go Go
The chorus repeats to encourage Johnny and the audience one last time.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The final chorus encourages Johnny to keep playing his music with gusto.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The last ditto.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The same message bears repeating, for everyone to hear.
Go Johnny Go, Go
The final repetition of the chorus is meant to be triumphant, both for Johnny and the listener.
Johnny be good
The song ends the way it began, with the message that Johnny is a music legend.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mkonn06
He is older now, but he is still "The Killer". My respect for all this musicians.
Mark Renton
who did he kill? Johnny B Goode?
4catsnow
One of matches that lit the fire known as rockandroll....his flame has gone out.. but the fire still burns, testimony to his talent...RIP
Nathan Montgomery
there's a lot of people out there who immediately say a version sucks if it's not the one they're used to - I like this.
Geraldo Duarte
simplesmente, o melhor. tudo de bom. saudades desse tempo.
Denise Syrayama
amo muito essas musicas. definitivamente nasci na época errada.
Djalma Júnior
Eu também
pete keim
The drummer, Jim Isbell, is outstanding----JLL always wanted his drummers to speed up the beat, for the driving sound it gave.
irishsetterarchie
Extrodinary, exciting, energizing....the excentric and eternal rock n roll genious, Mr. Jerry Lee Lewis.....thank you for all of the wonderful memories!!!!
ninaostrovski
Джерри, как всегда, великолепен! Браво!👏