Johnny B. Goode
Tosh Peter Lyrics
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Back up in the woods, on top of a hill
There stood an old hut made of earth and wood
There lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
He never learned to read and a-write so well
But he could play his guitar like ringing a bell, yell
And said, "Go, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight," yeah
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Sitting in a tree in the railroad track
Old engineer in the train sitting in the shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that them drivers made
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my, oh my, what the boy can play
I said, "Oh, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight," yeah
Said, "Oh oh, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode"
Mama said: Son, you gotta be a man (go out, be a man)
You gotta be the leader of a reggae band
People coming in from miles around
To hear you play until the sun goes down
Boy, someday, your name will be in the lights
Saying: Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight
I said, "Oh, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight," yeah
Said, "Oh oh, go Johnny, Johnny you better be good"
I said, "Go, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Play Johnny, "Go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode"
I said, "Go, go, go, go, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight"
You can hear him play, go Johnny, better be good
The lyrics to Tosh Peters' song "Johnny B. Goode" tell the story of a talented musician who lived in an old hut in the Jamaican woods. Despite not being well educated, Johnny B. Goode possessed a remarkable skill for playing the guitar. He used to sit on trees beside the railroad tracks with his guitar in a gunny sack and strum along with the rhythm of the passing trains. People passing by would stop to marvel at his musical abilities. His mother saw his potential and urged him to lead a reggae band. She predicted that someday his name would be in lights and everyone would come from miles around to hear him play until the sun went down. Despite facing obstacles, Johnny B. Goode has the innate talent to become a successful musician.
The song "Johnny B. Goode" by Tosh Peters tells the story of Johnny B. Goode, a guitarist who possesses exceptional talent despite facing socioeconomic barriers. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Johnny B. Goode living in an old hut in the Jamaican woods, relying on his guitar-playing skills to entertain people who pass by the railroad. Throughout the song, Johnny B. Goode's mother is a supportive figure who encourages him to pursue his passion and predicts that he will become a celebrated musician. The song's upbeat and catchy melody emphasizes Johnny B. Goode's exceptional talent and hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Jamaica, close to Mandeville
In the depths of Jamaica, nearby Mandeville
Back up in the woods, on top of a hill
Amidst the woods and atop a hill
There stood an old hut made of earth and wood
An old hut, crafted from soil and timber
There lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode, a boy from the countryside, resided there
He never learned to read and a-write so well
His reading and writing skills were not top notch
But he could play his guitar like ringing a bell, yell
However, he was tremendously skilled at the guitar, mastering it with ease
And said, "Go, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight," yeah
As a result, people cheered him on saying, "Go Johnny, perform tonight, Johnny B. Goode!"
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Carried around his guitar in a bag made of gunny sacks
Sitting in a tree in the railroad track
Sat up on a tree, atop the railroad tracks
Old engineer in the train sitting in the shade
While train engineers rested underneath a shady area
Strummin' with the rhythm that them drivers made
Johnny played his guitar to the rhythm the drivers created
People passing by would stop and say
As he played, onlookers would cease by and comment
Oh my, oh my, what the boy can play
Exclaiming in amazement at Johnny's ability on the guitar
I said, "Oh, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight," yeah
Thus, everyone continued to encourage him and exclaimed, "Go Johnny, perform tonight, Johnny B. Goode!"
Mama said: Son, you gotta be a man (go out, be a man)
His mother urged him to grow up and become a man
You gotta be the leader of a reggae band
She also envisioned him eventually leading a reggae band
People coming in from miles around
People would travel from afar
To hear you play until the sun goes down
Just to listen to him perform until the sun had set
Boy, someday, your name will be in the lights
She foresaw his name up in lights, one day
Saying: Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight
To say, "Johnny, it's your night to shine, Johnny B. Goode!"
I said, "Oh, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight," yeah
Again, as everyone's excitement continued, Johnny B. Goode was called to perform
Said, "Oh oh, go Johnny, Johnny you better be good"
However, one person warned him that he better perform well
I said, "Go, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Despite the warning, everyone still could not wait for his performance, "Go Johnny, perform tonight, Johnny B. Goode!"
Play Johnny, "Go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode"
Consequently, Johnny performed Johnny B. Goode live
I said, "Go, go, go, go, go Johnny, Johnny B. Goode tonight"
And the excitement grew and intensified, urging him on, "Go Johnny, perform tonight, Johnny B. Goode!"
You can hear him play, go Johnny, better be good
He started to play, his ability captivating the audience, holding their breath to see if he met the challenge, "Go Johnny! Quick! Be good!"
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Herbvid
Johnny B. Goode
Peter Tosh
Deep down in Jamaica close to Mandeville
Back up in the woods on top of a hill
There stood an old hut made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode
He never learned to read or write so well
But he could play his guitar like ringin' a bell yell
Said go, go Johnny!
Johnny be good tonight!
Said go, go Johnny!
Johnny B. Goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Sitting in a tree in the railroad track
Old engineer in the train sitting in the shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that them drivers made
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my oh my what the boy can play
Said go, go Johnny!
Johnny be good tonight!
Said go, go Johnny!
Johnny B. Goode
Mama said son you gotta be a man
You gotta be the leader of a reggae band
People coming in from miles around
To hear you play until the sun goes down
Boy someday your name will be in the lights
Saying Johnny B Goode tonight
I said go, go Johnny!
Johnny be good tonight!
Said go, go Johnny!
Johnny you better be good
Said go, go Johnny!
Johnny be good tonight!
Go, go Johnny!
Johnny B. Goode
@halenbud
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Dee-oo-doo, dee-oo-doo
Sitting in a tree in the railroad track
Dee-oo-doo, dee-oo-doo
Old engineer in the train sittin' in the shade
Choo-chooooo
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
Dee-oo-doo, dee-oo-doo
People passing by would stop and say:
Dee-oo-doo, dee-oo-doo
"Oh my, oh my, oh what a boy can play"
@rickbennett7985
One of the best reggae song ever, makes your feet tap, head nod and body sway.
@kat66meow
One of my all time favorite songs from Tosh!!! ♥️😻♥️
@turntterk2558
Onde aperta pra curtir milhões de vezes. Incrível ❤
@yallarose
Tosh was constantly pushing the boundaries of reggae. Love the man; love the music. Great video. ❤👍
@eduardogenio7702
Voz,melodia e harmonia perfeito ❤❤
@ricosuavez_uk
40 years old… THIS is music..! 😎
@sergiopaim7884
Com esse som,,, até os mortos ressucitam e dançam ☮️, gancho, praia grande sp 👍 2023
@AlexBuchud
🤌
@tasenkafarred3547
One of the best songs out there ❤❤❤
@carlossales8782
Essa música é espetacular.