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  hereinstead.com: chuck berry lyrics




For all intents and purposes, Chuck Berry invented rock & roll. He blended blues, rhythm & blues, and a bit of country music with some of the smartest, funniest, wittiest, most poetic lyrics ever to be coined by an American pop musician and star. Only Bob Dylan and the Beatles are completely in his class, and he taught much to both of them. He is also, agrees my son the rap musician and MC, an early creator of the rapid, rhyming style that becomes central to rap music.

Bouncing around the web, I stumbled upon the lyrics to some of Mr. Berry's classics, and thought they qualified as "art" -- at least for the purposes of hereinstead.com.

-- hgl

CHUCK BERRY'S LYRICS

  • Johnny B. Goode
  • Maybellene
  • Roll Over Beethoven
  • Carol
  • Almost Grown
  • Back In The Usa
  • Rock And Roll Music
  • School Day
  • Sweet Little Sixteen
  • Nadine
  • Too Much Monkey Business
  • Brown Eyed Handsome Man
  • Oh Baby Doll
  • Promised Land


    Johnny B. Goode

    Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans,
    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 ringin' a bell.

    Go Go
    Go Johnny 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
    And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
    Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade,
    Strumin 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 old band.
    Many people coming from miles around
    To hear you play your music when the sun go down
    Maybe someday your name will be in lights
    Saying Johnny B. Goode tonight".

    Go Go
    Go Johnny Go, Go
    Go Johnny Go, Go
    Go Johnny Go, Go
    Go Johnny Go, Go
    Johnny B. Goode

    Maybellene

    Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    You done started doing the things you used to do.

    As I was motivatin' over the hill
    I saw Maybellene in a coup de ville.
    Cadillac a-rollin' on the open road,
    Nothin' will outrun my V8 Ford.
    The cadillac doin 'bout ninety-five,
    we's bumper to bumber, rollin' side by side.

    Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    You done started back doing the things you used to do.

    The Cadillac pulled up to hundred and four,
    the Ford got hot and wouldn't do no more.
    It then got cloudy and it started to rain,
    I tooted my horn for the passin' lead
    the rain water blowin' all under my hood,
    I knew that was doin' my motor good.

    Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    You done started back doing the things you used to do.

    Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    You done started back doing the things you used to do.

    The motor cooled down, the heat went down
    and that's when I heard that highway sound.
    The Cadillac sittin' like a ton of lead
    A hundred and ten, a half a mile ahead.
    The Cadillac lookin' like it's sittin' still
    And I caught Maybellene at the top of the hill.

    Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
    You done started back doing the things you used to do.

    Roll Over Beethoven

    Well I'ma write a little letter,
    I'ma mail it to my local DJ.
    Yes it's a jumpin hit record
    I want my jockey to play.
    Roll Over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today.

    You know my temperature risin'
    The jukebox blowin a fuse.
    My heart's beatin rhythm
    and my soul keeps a-singin' the blues.
    Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tschaikowsky the news.

    I got the rockin' pneumonia,
    I need a shot of rhythm and blues.
    I caught the rollin' arthiritis
    Sittin' down at a rhythm review.
    Roll Over Beethoven, they rockin' in two by two.

    Well if you feel it and like it
    Go get your lover, then reel and rock it.
    Roll it over then move on up just a trifle further
    Then reel and rock with with one another
    Roll Over Beethoven, dig these rhythm and blues.

    Well early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin'
    Don't you step on my blue suede shoes.
    Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle,
    ain't got nothin' to lose.
    Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tschaikowsky the news.

    You know she wiggles like a glow worm,
    dance like a spinnin' top.
    She got a crazy partner,
    you oughta see 'em reel and rock.
    Long as she got a dime the music won't never stop.

    Roll Over Beethoven,
    Roll Over Beethoven,
    Roll Over Beethoven,
    Roll Over Beethoven,
    Roll Over Beethoven,
    dig these rhythm and blues.

    Carol

    Oh Carol, don't let him steal your heart away
    I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day

    Climb into my machine so we can cruise on out
    I know a swingin' little joint where we can jump and shout
    It's not too far back off the highway, not so long a ride
    You park your car out in the open, you can walk inside
    A little cutie takes your hat and you can thank her, ma'am
    Every time you make the scene you find the joint is jammed

    Oh Carol, don't let him steal your heart away
    I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day

    And if you wanna hear some music like the boys are playin'
    Hold tight, pat your foot, don't let 'em carry it away
    Don't let the heat overcome you when they play so loud
    Oh, don't the music intrigue you when they get a crowd
    You can't dance, I know you wish you could
    I got my eyes on you baby, 'cause you dance so good

    Oh Carol, don't let him steal your heart away
    I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day

    Don't let him steal your heart away
    I've got to learn to dance if it takes you all night and day.

    Almost Grown

    Yeah 'n' I'm doin' all right in school.
    They ain't said I broke no rule.
    I ain't never been in Dutch.
    I don't browse around too much
    Don't bother me, leave me alone
    Anyway, I'm almost grown

    I don't run around with no mob.
    Got myself a little job
    I'm gonna buy me a little car,
    Drive my girl in the park
    Don't bother, leave us alone
    Anyway, we almost grown


    Got my eye on a little girl.
    Ah, she's really out of this world.
    When I take her to a dance,
    She's got to talk about romance.
    Don't bother, leave us alone
    Anyway, we almost grown


    You know I'm still livin' in town.
    But I done married and settled down.
    Now I really have a ball
    So I don't browse around at all
    Don't bother, leave us alone
    Anyway, we almost grown

    Back In The USA

    Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today,
    We just touched ground on an international runway
    Jet propelled back home, from over the seas to the U.S.A.

    New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
    Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
    Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St. Lou.

    Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
    From the coast of California to the shores of the Delaware Bay
    You can bet your life I did, till I got back to the U.S.A.

    Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner café
    Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
    Yeah, and a juke-box jumping with records like in the U.S.A.

    Well, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
    Yes, I'm so glad I'm livin' in the U.S.A.
    Anything you want, we got right here in the U.S.A.

    Rock And Roll Music

    Just let me hear some of that
    Rock And Roll Music,
    Any old way you choose it;
    It's got a back beat, you can't lose it,
    Any old time you use it.
    It's gotta be Rock And Roll Music,
    If you want to dance with me,
    If you want to dance with me.

    I have got no kick againt modern jazz,
    Unless they try to play it too darn fast;
    And change the beauty of the melody,
    Until they sounded just like a symphony,
    That's why I go for that
    Rock And Roll Music ...

    I took my loved one over cross the tracks
    So she can hear my man a wailin' sax,
    I must admit they have a rockin' band,
    Man they were blowin like a hurricane
    That's why I go for that
    Rock and Roll music .....

    Way down South they gave a jubilee,
    the jokey folks they had a jamboree,
    They're drinkin' homebrew from a wooden cup,
    The folks dancin' got all shook up
    And started playin' that
    Rock and Roll music ....

    Don't care to hear 'em play a tango,
    I'm in the mood to dig a mambo;
    It's way to early for a congo,
    So keep a rockin' that piano
    So I can hear some of that
    Rock And Roll Music ...

    School Day

    Up in the mornin' and out to school
    The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
    American history and practical math
    You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
    Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
    And the guy behind you won't leave you alone

    Ring, ring goes the bell
    The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
    You're lucky if you can find a seat
    You're fortunate if you have time to eat
    Back in the classroom, open your books
    I bet the teacher don't know how mean she looks

    Soon as three o'clock rolls around
    You finally lay your burden down
    Close up your books, get out of your seat
    Down the halls and into the street
    Up to the corner and 'round the bend
    Right to the juke joint, you go in

    Drop the coin right into the slot
    You gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
    With the one you love, you're makin' romance
    All day long you been wantin' to dance,
    Feeling the music from head to toe
    Round and round and round we go

    Hail, hail rock and roll
    Deliver me from the days of old
    Long live rock and roll
    The beat of the drums, loud and bold
    Rock, rock, rock and roll
    The feelin' is there, body and soul.

    Sweet Little Sixteen

    They're really rockin in Boston
    In Pittsburgh, P. A.
    Deep in the heart of Texas
    And 'round the Frisco Bay
    All over St. Louis
    Way down in New Orleans
    All the cats wanna dance with
    Sweet Little Sixteen

    Sweet Little Sixteen
    She's just got to have
    About half a million
    Framed autographs
    Her wallet's filled with pictures
    She gets 'em one by one
    She gets so excited
    Watch her look at her run

    Oh mommy mommy
    Please may I go
    It's such a sight to see
    Somebody steal the show
    Oh daddy daddy
    I beg of you
    Whisper to mommy
    It's all right with you

    Cause they'll be rockin on bandstand
    In Philadelphia P.A.
    Deep in the heart of Texas
    And 'round the Frisco Bay
    All over St. Louis
    Way down in New Orleans
    All the cats wanna dance with
    Sweet Little Sixteen

    Sweet Little Sixteen
    She's got the grown up blues
    Tight dress and lipstick
    She's sportin' high heal shoes
    Oh, but tomorrow morning
    She'll have to change her trend
    And be sweet sixteen
    And back in class again

    Cause they'll be rockin on bandstand
    In Philadelphia P.A.
    Deep in the heart of Texas And 'round the Frisco Bay
    All over St. Louis Way Down in New Orleans
    All the Cats wanna dance with
    Sweet Little Sixteen

    Nadine

    As I got on a city bus and found a vacant seat,
    I thought I saw my future bride walking up the street,
    I shouted to the driver: hey conductor, you must
    slow down, I think I see her, please let me off this bus.

    Nadine, honey is that you?
    Oh, Nadine. Honey, is that you?
    Seems like every time I see you darlin
    You got something else to do

    I saw her from the corner when she turned and doubled back
    And started walkin' toward a coffee-colored cadillac
    I's pushin' through the crowd tryn'ah get to where she's at
    I was campaign shoutin like a southern diplomat
    Nadine, honey is that you?
    Oh, Nadine. Honey where are you?
    Seems like every time I catch you darlin
    You up to something new

    Downtown searching for her, looking all around.
    Saw her getting in a yellow cab heading up town.
    I caught a loaded taxi, paid up everybody's tab.
    Flipped a twenty dollar bill and told him 'catch that yellow cab.'
    Nadine, honey is that you?
    Oh, Nadine. Honey is that you?
    Seems like every time I catch you darlin
    You up to something new

    She moves around like a wayward summer breeze,
    Go, driver, go, gone, catch her for me please.
    Moving thru the traffic like a mounted cavalier.
    Leaning out the taxi window trying to make her hear.
    Nadine, honey is that you?
    Oh, Nadine. Honey is that you?
    Seems like every time I see you darlin
    You up to something new

    Too Much Monkey Business

    Runnin' to-and-fro - hard workin' at the mill.
    Never fail in the mail - yeah, come a rotten bill!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

    Salesman talkin' to me, tryin' to run me up a creek.
    Says you can buy it, go on try it, you can pay me next week, ahh!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

    Blond hair good looks, tryin' to get me hooked.
    Want me to marry, get a home, settle down, write a book!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

    Same thing every day, gettin' up, goin' to school.
    No need for me to complain, my objection's overruled, ahh!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

    Take home, something wrong, dime gone, will mail
    I aughtah sue the operator for telling me a tale - ahh!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

    Been to Yokohama, been fightin' in the war.
    Army bunk, Army chow, Army clothes, Army car, aah!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Too much monkey business for me to be involved in!

    Workin' in the fillin' station, too many tasks.
    Wipe the windows, check the tires, check the oil, dollar gas!
    Too much monkey business. Too much monkey business.
    Don't want your botheration, get away, leave me!

    TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS FOR ME!!

    Brown Eyed Handsome Man

    Arrested on charges of unemployment,
    he was sitting in the witness stand
    The judge's wife called up the district attorney
    Said you free that brown eyed man
    You want your job you better free that brown eyed man

    Flying across the desert in a TWA,
    I saw a woman walking across the sand
    She been a-walkin' thirty miles en route to Bombay.
    To get a brown eyed handsome man
    Her destination was a brown eyed handsome man

    Way back in history three thousand years
    Back ever since the world began
    There's been a whole lot of good women shed a tear
    For a brown eyed handsome man
    That's what the trouble was brown eyed handsome man

    Beautiful daughter couldn't make up her mind
    Between a doctor and a lawyer man
    Her mother told her daughter go out and find yourself
    A brown eyed handsome man
    That's what your daddy is a brown eyed handsome man

    Milo Venus was a beautiful lass
    She had the world in the palm of her hand
    But she lost both her arms in a wrestling match
    To get brown eyed handsome man
    She fought and won herself a brown eyed handsome man

    Two, three count with nobody on
    He hit a high fly into the stand
    Rounding third he was headed for home
    It was a brown eyed handsome man
    That won the game; it was a brown eyed handsome man

    Oh Baby Doll

    Oh Baby Doll!
    when bells ring out the summer free
    Oh baby doll
    will it end for you and me?
    We'll sing old Alma Mater
    and think of things that used to be

    I remember it so well
    back when the weather was cool
    we used to have so much fun
    when we were walking to school
    if we stopped off to hear
    the latest songs they sing
    and we just make it in
    before the bells would ring

    Oh Baby Doll!
    etc...

    When the teacher was gone
    that's when we'd have a ball
    we use to dance and play
    all up and down the hall
    we had a portable radio
    we was ballin' the jack
    We'd be all back in order
    when the teacher got back

    Oh Baby Doll!
    etc...

    Promised Land

    I left my home in Norfolk Virginia,
    California on my mind.
    I straddled that Greyhound and rode him into Raleigh,
    And on across Caroline.

    We stopped in Charlotte, we bypassed Rock Hill,
    We never was a minute late.
    We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown,
    Rollin' outta Georgia state.

    We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle,
    Half way across Alabam,
    And that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded
    In downtown Birmingham.

    Right away I bought me a through train ticket,
    Ridin' cross Mississippi clean
    And I was on that midnight flyer outta Birmingham
    Smokin into New Orleans.

    Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
    Just help me get to Houston town.
    There are people there who care a little 'bout me
    And they won't let the poor boy down.

    Sure as you're born, they bought me a silk suit,
    Put luggage in my hands,
    And I woke up high over Albuquerque
    On a jet to the promised land.

    Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte
    Flying over to the Golden State;
    When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
    He would set us at the terminal gate.

    Swing low chariot, come down easy
    Taxi to the terminal zone;
    Cut your engines and cool your wings,
    And let me make it to the telephone.

    Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia,
    Tidewater four ten O nine
    Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'
    And the poor boy's on the line.








    • hereinstead.com

    the electric library of hgl  |  drug prohibition studies  |  pastrami land  |  videos shmideos  |  against monotheism  |  poetry page  |  writingdance  |  lindesmith award speech  |  good-bye Mr. Vonnegut  |  the marijuana arrest epidemic in New York City  |  drug policy  |  alcohol studies  |  here as well  |  regard yourself as a writer  |  n.y. jews and chinese food  |  joe gusfield and cubist sociology  |  ralph nader as suicide bomber  |  hgl at age 12  |  Meet the
    Social Justice Libertarians          |  paul krugman  |  dave barry on roger & elaine  |  friends and family  |  pomo's of noho  |  the war on treyf  |  art gallery  |  Menand on Pinker  |  the funny pages  |  mark twain on james f. cooper  |  the miserable louis althusser  |  automato