Johnny B. Goode
Judas Priest Lyrics

Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
In the southern state of Louisiana, near the city of New Orleans

Way back up in the woods amongst the evergreens
Far into the forest, surrounded by tall trees that never lose their leaves

There stood an old cabin made of earth and wood
A small house built from natural materials like soil and timber

Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
A young man from the countryside, known as Johnny B. Goode

That never ever learned to read and write so well
He did not receive a good education and struggled with reading and writing

But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
Despite his lack of formal education, he was a skilled guitar player with a natural talent for music

Go go. Go Johnny go
Encouraging Johnny to keep playing and performing

Johnny B. Goode
Referring to Johnny himself, as if his name and talent were one and the same

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
He didn't have a proper guitar case, so he used a rough and simple sack to protect and transport his instrument

Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Finding a peaceful spot under a tree near a train track to practice and play music

Old engineer sitting in the shade
A locomotive operator resting in a nearby shadow

Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Playing his guitar in time with the sounds made by the moving train

The people passing by would stop and say
Those who were walking or driving by would pause their journey to listen to Johnny's music

"Oh my but how that little country boy could play"
People were amazed by Johnny's talent, even though he came from a small and humble background

His mother told him some day you will be a man
Johnny's mom believed in him and saw his potential as a musician

And you will be the leader of a big old band
His mother envisioned a future where Johnny was the frontman of a popular and successful musical group

Many people coming from miles around
A lot of fans would travel long distances just to see Johnny and his band play live

To hear you play your music till the sun goes down
Fans would stay for hours, dancing and singing along to Johnny's music until nightfall

Maybe someday your name will be in lights, saying
It was possible that Johnny would become famous and well-known all over the world

Johnny B. Goode tonight
An enthusiastic declaration of Johnny's current and future musical prowess