Johnny Be Good
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 among the evergreens
Far up in the forest among the trees that remain green throughout the year

There stood an old cabin made of earth and wood
An elderly cabin constructed from dirt and trees

Where lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode
Residing there was a lad called Johnny B Goode who came from the countryside

That never ever learned to read and write so well
Johnny wasn't so good at reading and writing

But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
However, he was quite skilled at playing the guitar; his performance was splendid

Go go (go Johnny, go go go)
A call to urge Johnny to keep going with his guitar-playing

Go Johnny go, go go (go Johnny, go go go)
An encouragement to Johnny to keep playing the guitar

Go Johnny go (go, go, go)
An exclamation calling on Johnny to go on with the show

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny B Goode would carry his guitar in a sack made from coarse fabric

Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
He would sit down under a tree near the railway line

Old engineer sitting in the shade
An old driver would sit nearby in a shady spot

Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
He would play his guitar in sync with the beat that the drivers caused

The people passing by would stop and say
People who happened to be passing by would stop and comment

"Oh my but how that little country boy could play"
They would express their astonishment at the musical talent of this young country boy

His mother told him, "Someday you will be a man
Johnny's mother informed him that he would one day become an adult

And you will be the leader of a big old band
As a grown-up, he would be in charge of a significant musical group

Many people coming from miles around
Large numbers of individuals would come from far and wide

To hear you play your music till the sun goes down
To listen to him perform music until sunset

Maybe someday your name will be in lights
It is possible that he will one day feature in big lights

Saying, Johnny B Goode tonight, tonight
Reading out a billboard that states tonight's headline performance will be by Johnny B Goode

Johnny B Goode
That's Johnny's name

Yeah Johnny
Yes, that's correct, Johnny

Go go (go Johnny, go go go)
Come on! Keep on playing, Johnny B Goode!

Go Johnny go, go go (go Johnny, go Johnny go, go Johnny go go go)
A further push to keep going with the music

Go Johnny go (go, go, go)
Another enthusiastic yell to Johnny to keep going

Johnny B Goode (go Johnny go go go)
A prompt to keep on with the epic guitar-playing

Go go
Keep it up!

Go Johnny go
Let's hear it for Johnny B Goode!

Johnny B Goode
Johnny B Goode!