About the song
**”Nadine (Is It You?)”** is a classic song by Chuck Berry, released as a single in February 1964. This track marked Berry’s return to music after a year and a half in prison, serving a sentence for transporting a minor across state lines. It was his first release since “Come On” in 1961.
The song was recorded in November 1963 at Chess Records in Chicago, Berry’s first session after his release. Alongside “Nadine,” the session also produced “You Never Can Tell,” another notable single. “Nadine” shares similarities with Berry’s earlier hit “Maybellene,” but instead of a car chase, this song tells the story of a man pursuing a woman on foot and by taxi.
In “Nadine,” Berry uses vivid similes to describe his pursuit of the elusive Nadine, such as comparing her movements to a wayward summer breeze and likening his own actions to those of a Southern diplomat. These poetic and imaginative lyrics have been praised for their originality and flair.
The single achieved considerable success, reaching number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 7 on the R&B chart, and number 27 on the UK Singles Chart. Its rhythm and lyrical style garnered positive reviews, with Cash Box describing it as a “hard-driving, rhythmic pop-blues tear-jerker.”
The song’s influence extends beyond Berry’s era. Notably, Bob Dylan’s songwriting in the mid-1960s bears similarities to “Nadine,” reflecting its impact on the rock and folk music landscape. Bruce Springsteen also highlighted the song’s evocative lyrics in the 1987 documentary *Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll*, praising Berry’s ability to create vivid imagery.
Over the years, “Nadine” has been covered by a wide array of artists, including Steve Forbert, Waylon Jennings, George Thorogood, and even Motörhead, showcasing its enduring appeal across genres. Its lasting legacy is a testament to Chuck Berry’s influential role in the development of rock and roll.
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Lyrcs
As I got on a city bus and found a vacant seat
I thought I saw my future bride walkin’ 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?
Seem like every time I see you, darling, 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 was pushin’ through the crowd trying to get to where she’s at
And I was campaign shouting like a southern diplomat.
Nadine, honey is that you?
Oh, Nadine. Honey, where are you?
Seem like every time I catch up witcha, 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?
Seem like every time I catch up witcha, you up to something new
She moves around like a wayward summer breeze
Go, driver, go, go, catch her for me please
Moving through 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?
Seem like every time I see you, darling, you up to something new