About the song
**”Johnny B. Goode”** is a celebrated rock and roll song written and performed by Chuck Berry, first released in 1958. The track was a major milestone in the history of rock music, achieving notable success upon its release. It reached number two on the Hot R&B Sides chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. This iconic song is considered one of the most recognizable and influential rock and roll tracks of all time.
The song tells the story of a young country boy named Johnny, who plays guitar “like ringing a bell” and dreams of becoming famous. Chuck Berry, who was born at 2520 Goode Avenue in St. Louis, drew from his own experiences and inspirations for this narrative. Initially, the song’s lyrics described Johnny as a “colored boy,” but Berry changed this to “country boy” to ensure broader radio play.
“Johnny B. Goode” was partly inspired by Johnnie Johnson, Berry’s frequent piano player. However, in the original recording, Berry was accompanied by Willie Dixon on bass, Fred Below on drums, and Lafayette Leake on piano. The song’s memorable guitar riff, borrowed from Louis Jordan’s 1946 hit “Ain’t That Just Like a Woman,” became a defining feature of Berry’s work.
The song’s impact has been significant and enduring. It has been covered by many artists across different genres and was even included in the Voyager Golden Record, a musical collection sent into space to represent humanity’s achievements. Berry’s live performances of “Johnny B. Goode,” including his introduction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, have cemented its place in music history.
In popular culture, the song’s influence is seen in films like “Back to the Future,” where Michael J. Fox’s character Marty McFly performs it at a school dance. Various artists, from Buck Owens to Jimi Hendrix and Judas Priest, have put their own spin on the classic track, further proving its timeless appeal.
Overall, “Johnny B. Goode” remains a cornerstone of rock and roll, celebrated for its vibrant guitar work and Berry’s storytelling prowess.
Video
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