Johnny B. Goode

Song Meaning of Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry, and what it about

The first rock and roll song to discuss rock and roll stardom was "Johnny B. Goode." Chuck Berry, "more or less," as he told Rolling Stone in 1972, plays the title role.

“The original words [were], of course, ‘That little colored boy could play.’ I changed it to ‘country boy’ — or else it wouldn’t get on the radio.”

The best illustration of Berry's poetry in motion is "Johnny B. Goode". Berry's piercing, single-note lick in the chorus sounds, as he phrased it, "like a-ringin' a bell" — a wonderful description of how rock & roll guitar can make you feel on top of the world. The rhythm section rolls with freight-train pace.

One of the most well-known songs in the annals of popular music is "Johnny B. Goode".

Lyrics of Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry

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-ringing 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

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!