In 1963, Maffay and his parents emigrated from the Siebenbürgen region in Romania to Germany, like other Transylvanian Saxons. In the same year, he started his first band, The Dukes. After completing his education and spending some time working for Chemigraphics, an art manufacturer, Maffay worked in clubs, where he distributed his music.
Peter Maffay's career began in 1969 with the publication of his first single, "Du" (You in German). It was the biggest German hit in 1970 and brought Maffay instant fame. With the album Steppenwolf in 1979, Maffay became a major music star in Germany. The album sold 1.6 million copies, making it the best selling LP at that time. In 1980, the album Revanche (Revenge) broke his previous record, selling 2.1 million copies.
Maffay holds the German record for the most number one ranked singles in the single and album sales charts, including 12 albums. In addition, most of his studio albums reached the top ten. He also holds a German record for most albums to have sold over one million copies, with 14. His latest album ,Laut und Leise (Loud and Quiet), became the fourteenth.
Altogether, Maffay has sold over 35 million records. Since 1980, each of his 13 tours (roughly every 2 years) has ranked among the three most visited attractions each season in Germany, with nine of them ranked first in that category.
Maffay also created a string of fairy tales about a little green dragon named Tabaluga, which was spread out onto four albums. The piece was also turned into a musical. Maffay went on tour individually with Tabaluga & Lilli in Germany; he later released a live album, DVD and live TV broadcast. The tour included Peter Maffay, Alexis, Nino de Angelo, Rufus Beck, and Carl Carlton among others.
In 1998, Maffay collaborated to create an album with artists from all corners of the world, including Aboriginal singers and musicians from Israel.
He also starred in two films directed by Peter Patzak - The Joker in 1986, and Captured in Yemen in 1999. In addition, Maffay played a supporting role in the feature "The Polar Bear".
Johnny B. Goode
Peter Maffay Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringing a bell
Go go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineer would see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by, they would stop and say
"Oh my, but that little country boy could play"
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
His mother told him, "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big ol' band
Many people comin' from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Maybe someday your name'll be in lights
Sayin' 'Johnny B. Goode tonight!'"
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
In a remote area of Louisiana, not far from the vibrant city of New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Located deep in the forest, surrounded by tall evergreen trees
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
A simple and humble log cabin crafted from natural materials
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Residing in this cabin was a young boy known as Johnny B. Goode, who had a rural upbringing
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Despite lacking proficiency in reading and writing, he possessed other exceptional talents
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringing a bell
However, his exceptional ability to play the guitar was reminiscent of the sweet and melodious sound of a ringing bell
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
Encouragement and excitement building up, urging Johnny B. Goode to showcase his talent and mesmerize the audience
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
He would transport his beloved guitar in a simple sack made of coarse cloth
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Taking a seat beneath a tree situated next to the railroad track
Oh, the engineer would see him sittin' in the shade
The passing train engineer often caught a glimpse of him relaxing in the cool shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
Strumming his guitar in sync with the rhythmic vibrations produced by the passing train
The people passing by, they would stop and say
"Oh my, but that little country boy could play"
Onlookers would pause their journey to admire and commend the incredible musical talent displayed by this young country boy
His mother told him, "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big ol' band
With encouragement, his mother expressed her belief that he would grow up to be a responsible adult and lead a successful musical group
Many people comin' from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Anticipating a large audience, people would travel great distances to listen to his music during the evening
Maybe someday your name'll be in lights
Sayin' 'Johnny B. Goode tonight!'"
There is a possibility that one day his name would be illuminated on prominent signs, announcing his performance as the remarkable Johnny B. Goode
Go go
Go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go go go Johnny go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
The continuous chanting and encouragement, urging Johnny B. Goode to keep impressing and captivating his audience
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind