Johnny B. Goode
Marty McFly; The Starlighters Lyrics


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Way down Louisiana close to New Orleans,
Way back up in the woods among the evergreen
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well,
But he could play the guitar like ringing a bell.

Go Go
Go Johnny Go
Go Go
Johnny B. Goode

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
Playing to the rhythm that the drivers made.
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play

His mama told him someday he would be a man,
And he would be the leader of a big old band.
Many people coming from miles around
To hear him play his music when the sun go down




Maybe someday his name would be in lights
Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song “Johnny B. Goode” by Marty McFly speak about a country boy named Johnny who lives in a log cabin near the woods in Louisiana. Johnny is not very literate, but he can play the guitar with great skill. He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack and sit under the trees by the railroad track. The passing engineers would listen to the rhythm of his guitar playing and people who passed by him would stop to listen, amazed by his talent. They would often say, “Oh my that little country boy could play.”


The verse also mentions Johnny’s dream of becoming the leader of a big old band one day. Many people come from miles around to listen to him play his music when the sun goes down. The song ends on the note that someday Johnny’s name would be in lights, saying Johnny B. Goode tonight. The song is an ode to the skill and talent of a young guitarist, who despite his humble beginnings, is loved and appreciated by many.


Line by Line Meaning

Way down Louisiana close to New Orleans,
In the southern US, near the city of New Orleans,


Way back up in the woods among the evergreen
In a forested area with tall, green trees,


There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
A small house constructed of natural materials,


Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode
Who called this humble dwelling his home, a young man named Johnny B. Goode


He never ever learned to read or write so well,
Despite limited literacy skills,


But he could play the guitar like ringing a bell.
He had an incredible skill on the guitar, it sounded like magic.


Go Go
Join me, let's go,


Go Johnny Go
Johnny, show us your talent,


Go Go
Join me, let's go,


Johnny B. Goode
The world-renowned Johnny B. Goode.


He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
He carried his guitar in a burlap sack whenever he went out.


And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
In the shade of trees by the train tracks, he would sit.


Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
The train operators often saw him relaxing in the same spot,


Playing to the rhythm that the drivers made.
And using the sound of trains as the basis for his music.


People passing by would stop and say
Those who walked past couldn't help but stop and look.


Oh my that little country boy could play
They were amazed by the talent of this young, rural musician.


His mama told him someday he would be a man,
His mother always encouraged him that he will become a great individual,


And he would be the leader of a big old band.
Perhaps he would lead a large musical troupe.


Many people coming from miles around
Many would come from far and wide


To hear him play his music when the sun go down
To enjoy his music, often played at dusk.


Maybe someday his name would be in lights
And possibly someday, he would become a superstar.


Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight.
With the sign reading 'Johnny B. Goode tonight'.




Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Spoon80085

I love how without the time travel this movie is about a guy being an absolute homie and helps a guy get his crush

@SuperPlacido1

What homie mean?

@TheRealMichaelH

@@SuperPlacido1 It's a shortened version of "homeboy" (or "hombre" depending on whom you ask), which in turn is slang for "friend".

@belkYT

it isnt even his crush

@leeroyjenkins3014

@@belkYT yes it is, that’s also why he stalked her after school

@belkYT

@@leeroyjenkins3014 proof

331 More Replies...

@camoclone2556

I guess the two thousand people who disliked aren’t ready for that yet, but their kids are gonna love it.

@colinbacchi988

Camo Clone 😂great comment

@exoticcucumber4765

Copy

@facelessandnameless

Camo Clone 👏

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