About the song
Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” is more than just a catchy tune – it’s a cornerstone of rock and roll history. Released in 1958, the song continues to resonate with audiences today, solidifying its place as one of the most recognizable songs in popular music.
The song tells the story of Johnny, a talented but unpolished guitarist from Louisiana with dreams of stardom. Berry, a musician himself, imbues the lyrics with a sense of authenticity, hinting at his own background and aspirations. “Johnny B. Goode” transcends a simple narrative, however. It’s widely considered the “first rock & roll hit about rock & roll stardom,” celebrating the genre’s roots and the potential for an underdog to break through.
Musically, “Johnny B. Goode” is a masterclass in rock and roll simplicity. The iconic opening guitar riff, inspired by Louis Jordan’s “Ain’t That Just Like a Woman,” sets the tone for the song’s infectious energy. Berry’s signature guitar style and playful lyrics perfectly capture the spirit of the genre.
The song’s impact extends far beyond the charts. “Johnny B. Goode” has been covered by a diverse range of artists, from country legend Buck Owens to rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and The Sex Pistols. Its inclusion on the Voyager Golden Record, a collection intended to represent humanity to potential extraterrestrial life, speaks volumes about the song’s cultural significance.
“Johnny B. Goode” isn’t just a song – it’s a cultural touchstone. It captures the essence of rock and roll’s rebellious spirit, celebrates the power of music to elevate the ordinary, and continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike.
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Lyrics
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
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by they would stop and say
“Oh my what 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, go Johnny, go
Go, go, go Johnny, go
Go, go, go Johnny, go
Go
Johnny B. Goode