Johnny B. Goode
Marty McFly with The Starlighters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up on the woods among the evergreens
There stood an log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode
Who'd never, ever learned to read or write so well
He could play a guitar just like he's ringin' a bell
Chorus:
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! 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
The engineers could see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin'to the rhythm that the driver made
The people passing by you know they stop and say
"Oh, my, that little country boy sure could play"
Repeat Chorus:
Go! Go! Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go! Johnny B. Goode!
Instrumental:
Well his mama told him, "One day you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
People gonna come from miles around
To listen to you play till the sun goes down
And one day maybe your name gonna be in lights
A-sayin' 'Johnny B Goode tonight'"
Last Chorus:
Go! Go! Go! Go!Johnny! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go! Johnny B Goode
Oh Go! Go! Go! Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go! Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Hey Marty, this is a classic rock song called "Johnny B. Goode" by The Starlighters. The tune is about a young man named Johnny who lived in a log cabin in the woods near New Orleans. Despite not being able to read or write, Johnny was an extraordinary guitar player. He would carry his guitar in a sack and sit by the railroad track, playing to the rhythm of the passing trains. His talent was noticed by many, and people would stop and watch him play.
Johnny's mother knew that he was destined for greatness, and she believed that he would one day become a famous musician. She encouraged him to pursue his dream of leading a big band and playing until the sun went down. The song has an upbeat tempo, and the chorus repeats the phrases "Go Johnny, Go!" and "Johnny B. Goode."
One interesting fact about the song is that it was written and performed by Chuck Berry in 1958. It is one of the defining songs of the rock and roll era and has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix. Another interesting fact is that the guitar riff in the song has been used in numerous movies, including "Back to the Future," where Marty McFly performs the tune at a '50s high school dance. The song has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down in Louisiana, down the New Orleans
In the southern state of Louisiana, specifically in the city of New Orleans
Way back up on the woods among the evergreens
Located deep in the forest where there are many tall trees that stay green all year long
There stood an log cabin made of earth and wood
A cabin constructed from natural materials like soil and timber
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode
This rustic abode was the home of a young man who went by the name of Johnny B Goode
Who'd never, ever learned to read or write so well
Johnny was not proficient in literacy skills
He could play a guitar just like he's ringin' a bell
However, he possessed a natural talent for playing the guitar and could make it sound magnificent
Go! Go! Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Encouraging Johnny to continue performing with excitement and enthusiasm
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go!
Urging Johnny to keep the momentum going and wow the audience
Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Cheering Johnny on as he graces the stage with his skills
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go! Johnny B. Goode!
Congratulating Johnny on his standout performance and unique talent
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Johnny carried his instrument in a rough, woven bag typically used for holding grains or potatoes
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track
He would find a spot under the shadow of the trees that was overlooking the railway tracks
The engineers could see him sittin' in the shade
Workers who operate the train noticed him resting under the trees
Strummin' to the rhythm that the driver made
Pressing his fingers across the strings to produce melodious sounds that complemented the sound of locomotives passing by
The people passing by you know they stop and say
The folks who walked or drove by would often pause and comment
"Oh, my, that little country boy sure could play"
Expressing their amazement at Johnny's ability to play so well
Well his mama told him, "One day you will be a man
Johnny's mother gave him a piece of advice when he was growing up
And you will be the leader of a big old band
She predicted that Johnny would take charge of an established musical group
People gonna come from miles around
Many individuals would travel from far-flung places
To listen to you play till the sun goes down
They would be eager to hear him perform until sunset
And one day maybe your name gonna be in lights
It was possible that Johnny's name could be displayed prominently using bright lights
A-sayin' 'Johnny B Goode tonight'"
Introducing Johnny as the main act, performing in a spectacular manner on that particular evening
Go! Go! Go! Go!Johnny! Go! Go!
Repeating the same chant as before, this time with more excitement
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go!
Further encouraging Johnny to continue performing and shining bright
Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Urging Johnny with enthusiasm to keep going, performing and entertaining the audience
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go! Johnny B Goode
Celebrating Johnny's success as an artist who is unique, talented and amazing at what he does best
Oh Go! Go! Go! Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
Exuding excitement and joy with the same chant as before, impressed by Johnny's talent and skills
Go! Johnny! Go! Go! Go! Go! Johnny! Go! Go!
A wonderful note to end on, cheering Johnny on for doing such an outstanding job and continuing to perform
Contributed by Caleb T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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
@sadkingbilly
“But your kids are gonna love it”
Best. Time. Travel. Movie. Sentence. Ever.
@moonwalkerkop4479
Well, there's a better one from a show: "I am mad scientist, it's so cool! Sunovabich."
@grizzofeu653
@@moonwalkerkop4479A man of culture, I see
@egoistagattoildiofelino7942
@@moonwalkerkop4479 tell me what show