Johnny B. Goode
Johnny and Jack Lyrics

Way down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Goode hails from a small town in Louisiana, situated near New Orleans.

Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Johnny's hometown was located deep in the woods surrounded by trees and evergreens.

There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Johnny's home was a simple log cabin made of natural materials like earth and wood.

Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode was a boy who had grown up in the countryside.

He never ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny was illiterate and struggled with reading and writing.

But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
Johnny had a natural talent for playing the guitar and it came to him easily.

Go, go!
The song picks up pace and the beat intensifies.

Go Johnny go, go, go!
The lyrics are encouraging Johnny to keep playing and to keep the momentum going in his music.

He use to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny used to transport his guitar in a large bag.

Sit beneath the trees by the railroad track
Johnny would sit under trees near the train tracks while playing his music.

Oh, sit beneath the trees, linger in the shade
Johnny loved to spend time outside in the shade during hot days.

Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
Johnny would play his guitar and sing along to the rhythm of the train as it passed by.

People passing by, they would stop and say
People who passed by Johnny would stop to listen to his music and would often be impressed.

"Oh my, but that country boy can play!"
People who stopped to listen to Johnny would often be amazed at his guitar playing skills.

His mother told him someday he would be a man
Johnny's mother believed that someday he would become a grown man.

And he would be the leader of a rock'n'roll band
Johnny's mother believed that he would become a prominent figure in the rock and roll industry and possibly a band leader.

Oh, many people coming from miles around
As Johnny's skill as a musician grew, people from far and wide began to come to see him play.

Hear him play his guitar when the sun go down
People would come to hear Johnny play guitar, especially during the evening hours when the sun would go down.

Maybe someday your name would be in lights
Johnny's mother encouraged him and believed that one day his name would be up in lights as a famous musician.

Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight!"
People would recognize Johnny's talent and his name would be on the marquee, advertising his performance that night.

Go, go, Johnny B. Goode!
The song ends with an encouraging message for Johnny to keep playing and to continue to pursue his dreams of being a great musician.