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Chuck Berry - Promised Land

Chuck Berry - Promised Land Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: St. Louis to Liverpool
Released: 1964

Promised Land Lyrics

I left my home in Norfolk Virginia,
California on my mind.
Straddled that Greyhound, rode him past Raleigh,
On across Caroline.

Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill,
And we never was a minute late.
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown,
Rollin' 'cross the Georgia state.

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

Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket,
Ridin' cross Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans.

Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town.
There's 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,
The pilot told me in thirteen minutes
We'd be headin' in the terminal gate.

Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone,
Cut your engines, 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.

Writer/s: LINDSEY/VERGES/JAMES
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Promised Land

Berry wrote this when he was serving time in jail for transporting a girl across state lines for immoral purposes. He had to borrow an atlas of the US from the prison library to plot his hero's journey from Virginia to California.

In 1974, Elvis Presley recorded a version of this which reached #9 in the UK and #14 in the US. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 2)

Chuck Berry - School Day

Chuck Berry - School Day Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: After School Session
Released: 1957

School Day Lyrics

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
Keep up 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 outta 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're 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

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're 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

Writer/s: BERRY
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

School Day Song Chart

Many people mistakenly think the title is the first line in the last verse, "Hail, hail, rock 'n' roll." The line was used as the title for a 1988 rock documentary featuring Berry.

The song is about high school life in the '50s. Teenagers were the target audience for most rock music in that era, and Berry knew that he could sell a lot of records by appealing to this crowd.

This was Berry's first hit in the UK.

Berry released a follow-up to this in 1971 called "Lonely School Days (Version 2)."

Chuck Berry - Bye Bye Johnny

Chuck Berry - Bye Bye Johnny Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Rockin' At The Hops
Released: 1960

Bye Bye Johnny Lyrics

She drew out all her money out of the Southern Trust
And put her little boy aboard a Greyhound bus
Leaving Louisiana for the Golden West
Down came the tears from her happiness
Her own little son name 'o Johnny B. Goode
Was gonna make some motion pictures out in Hollywood

Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye Bye Johnny
Good bye Johnny B. Goode

She remembered taking money out from gathering crop
And buying Johnny's guitar at a broker shop
As long as he would play it by the railroad side
And wouldn't get in trouble he was satisfied
But never thought that there would come a day like this
When she would have to give her son a goodbye kiss

Going, bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye bye Johnny
Bye bye Johnny B. Goode

She finally got the letter she was dreaming of
Johnny wrote and told 'er he had fell in love
As soon as he was married he would bring her back
And build a mansion for 'em by the railroad track
So every time they heard the locomotive roar
They'd be a' standin', a' wavin' in the kitchen door

Howling, bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Bye bye Johnny
Good bye Johnny B. Goode

Writer/s: Hagen, Steinar
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Bye Bye Johnny Song Chart

This song follows the same character heard in Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." Johnny is now a grown man and boards a bus to start his life.

Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me

Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Rock, Rock, Rock
Released: 1956

You Can't Catch Me Lyrics

I bought a brand-new air-mobile
It custom-made, 'twas a Flight De Ville
With a pow'ful motor and some hideaway wings
Push in on the button and you can hear her sing

Now You Can't Catch Me, baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close, you know I'm gone like a cool breeze

New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours
I was rollin' slowly 'cause of drizzlin' showers
Here come a flat-top, he was movin' up with me
Then come wavin' by me in a little' old souped-up jitney
I put my foot on my tank and I began to roll
Moanin' siren, 'twas the state patrol
So I let out my wings and then I blew my horn
Bye bye New Jersey, I've become airborne

Now you can't catch me, baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close, you know I'm gone like a cool breeze

Flyin' with my baby last Saturday night
Not a gray cloud floatin' in sight
Big full moon shinin' up above
Cuddle up honey, be my love
Sweetest little thing I've ever seen
I'm gonna name you Maybellene
Flyin' on the beam, set on flight control
Radio tuned to rock 'n' roll
Two, three hours passed us by
Five to two dropped to 5:05
Fuel consumption way too fast
Let's get on home before we run out of gas

Now you can't catch me, no baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close, you know I'm gone like a cool breeze

Writer/s: CHUCK BERRY
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

You Can't Catch Me Song Chart

Bruce Springsteen wasn't the first to write rock songs about the liberating power of a fast car - Chuck Berry also had a fascination with automobiles, which he sings about here (part of the song takes place on the New Jersey Turnpike, a road Springsteen is quite familiar with).

"This was a yearning which I had since I was aged seven to drive about in a car," Berry told Record Mirror in 1967. "It was my fascination for the roads, for driving, motoring, which prompted me to write those songs."

Driving way too fast under the moonlight with your baby in the car while listening to rock and roll on the radio... it doesn't get any better.

At the end of this song, we find out that the car is named Maybellene, referring to Berry's earlier automotive hit.

One of Berry's early singles, this song surprisingly had no chart success - it didn't even make the R&B tally where all of his previous singles cracked the Top 10.

Berry performed this song in the 1956 film Rock, Rock, Rock, where he can be seen doing his famous duckwalk.

John Lennon used the guitar riff and some of the lyrics to this for "Come Together." He was sued by Berry and eventually settled.

The Rolling Stones recorded this in 1965. Chuck Berry was one of their heroes, especially to Keith Richards.

Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me

Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Rock, Rock, Rock
Released: 1956

You Can't Catch Me Lyrics

I bought a brand-new air-mobile
It custom-made, 'twas a Flight De Ville
With a pow'ful motor and some hideaway wings
Push in on the button and you can hear her sing

Now You Can't Catch Me, baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close, you know I'm gone like a cool breeze

New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours
I was rollin' slowly 'cause of drizzlin' showers
Here come a flat-top, he was movin' up with me
Then come wavin' by me in a little' old souped-up jitney
I put my foot on my tank and I began to roll
Moanin' siren, 'twas the state patrol
So I let out my wings and then I blew my horn
Bye bye New Jersey, I've become airborne

Now you can't catch me, baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close, you know I'm gone like a cool breeze

Flyin' with my baby last Saturday night
Not a gray cloud floatin' in sight
Big full moon shinin' up above
Cuddle up honey, be my love
Sweetest little thing I've ever seen
I'm gonna name you Maybellene
Flyin' on the beam, set on flight control
Radio tuned to rock 'n' roll
Two, three hours passed us by
Five to two dropped to 5:05
Fuel consumption way too fast
Let's get on home before we run out of gas

Now you can't catch me, no baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close, you know I'm gone like a cool breeze

Writer/s: CHUCK BERRY
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

You Can't Catch Me Song Chart

Bruce Springsteen wasn't the first to write rock songs about the liberating power of a fast car - Chuck Berry also had a fascination with automobiles, which he sings about here (part of the song takes place on the New Jersey Turnpike, a road Springsteen is quite familiar with).

"This was a yearning which I had since I was aged seven to drive about in a car," Berry told Record Mirror in 1967. "It was my fascination for the roads, for driving, motoring, which prompted me to write those songs."

Driving way too fast under the moonlight with your baby in the car while listening to rock and roll on the radio... it doesn't get any better.

At the end of this song, we find out that the car is named Maybellene, referring to Berry's earlier automotive hit.

One of Berry's early singles, this song surprisingly had no chart success - it didn't even make the R&B tally where all of his previous singles cracked the Top 10.

Berry performed this song in the 1956 film Rock, Rock, Rock, where he can be seen doing his famous duckwalk.

John Lennon used the guitar riff and some of the lyrics to this for "Come Together." He was sued by Berry and eventually settled.

The Rolling Stones recorded this in 1965. Chuck Berry was one of their heroes, especially to Keith Richards.

Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven

Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Chuck Berry Is On Top
Released: 1956

Roll Over Beethoven Lyrics

I'm gonna write a little letter,
Gonna mail it to my local DJ
It's a rockin' rhythm record
I want my jockey to play
Roll Over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today

You know, my temperature's risin'
And the jukebox blows a fuse
My heart's beatin' rhythm
And my soul keeps on singin' the blues
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news

I got the rockin' pneumonia,
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I think I'm rollin' arthritis
Sittin' down by the rhythm review
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two

Well, if you feel you like it
Go get your lover, then reel and rock it
Roll it over and move on up just
A trifle further and reel and rock it,
Roll it over,
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two

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 Tchaikovsky the news

You know she wiggles like a glow worm,
Dance like a spinnin' top
She got a crazy partner,
Oughta see 'em reel and rock
Long as she got a dime the music will never stop

Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven,
Roll over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues

Writer/s: CHUCK BERRY
Publisher: BMG Rights Management
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Roll Over Beethoven Song Chart

This song is about the rock 'n' roll craze that was taking over America. Beethoven and Tchikovsky were classical composers who were being bumped aside by rock. At the time, many critics dismissed rock music as a passing fad.

Berry was careful to write lyrics that told a coherent story, which in this case follows a young many as he pursues his favorite music. Berry also took care to deliver his lyrics clearly so a wider audience could understand them. This helped him avoid the fate of many Little Richard songs: more popular, but sanitized covers by Pat Boone.

The Beatles released a version of this in 1963. They played it at most of their early live shows.

This was used in the 1992 movie Beethoven, which is about a Saint Bernard.

The Electric Light Orchestra covered this in 1973, mixing in some of Beethoven's music. It was their biggest hit at the time, going to #6 in the UK and #42 in the US.

Iron Maiden spoofed this on their song "Roll Over Vic Vella," which was used as the B-side to the single for "From Now to Eternity" It's one of the few singles that featured a photograph of the band performing as cover art. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada)

For a February 4, 1977 primetime special celebrating 25 years of American Bandstand, Berry performed this song joined by Seals & Crofts, Gregg Allman, Junior Walker, Johnny Rivers, the Pointer Sisters, Charlie Daniels and Doc Severinsen. This was one of the first "all-star jams" that would later become commonplace. This performance served as a showcase for the musicians, who were introduced as they performed by Paul Williams . (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Chuck Berry - Rock And Roll Music

Chuck Berry - Rock And Roll Music Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: One Dozen Berrys
Released: 1957

Rock And Roll Music Lyrics

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've 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 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 await a sax,
I must admit the have a rockin' band,
Man they were going like a hurricane
That's why I go for that
Rock and roll music

Way down South they gave a jubilee,
The jockey folks they had a jamboree,
They're drinkin' homebrew from a water cup,
The folks dancin' they all got 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

Writer/s: BARRY, JEFF
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Rock And Roll Music Song Chart

This is about a guy who will only dance to rock and roll. Like many of Berry's songs, it doesn't have deep lyrical content, but a distinctive guitar riff.

Berry: "I was heavy into rock and roll and had to create something that hit the spot without question."

The Beatles played this at their early concerts and recorded it on Chuck Berry's 38th birthday. It was one of their favorite songs to play live, and they used it when they needed an additional track for their album Beatles For Sale. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Blues legend Willie Dixon played bass on this track.

The Beach Boys also recorded this song. Their version reached US #5 and UK #36 in 1976.

Chuck Berry - Carol

Chuck Berry - Carol Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Chuck Berry Is On Top
Released: 1958

Carol Lyrics

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 want to 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
Oh Carol

Writer/s: ADENOT, PIERRE / ADENOT, PIERRE
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Carol Song Chart

This song is about a boy who must learn to dance or risk losing Carol to other men.

The Rolling Stones covered this on their first album in 1964. They were the first to bring this and many other R&B songs to a white audience.

Chuck Berry got the name Carol from the daughter of Clyde McPhatter's girlfriend's daughter. McPhatter was popular R&B singer who fronted The Drifters for a time. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)