About the song
Chuck Berry with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – “Johnny B. Goode”
A Rock and Roll Anthem for the Ages
In the annals of rock and roll history, there are a select few songs that have transcended the boundaries of genre and time to become anthems for generations. Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” stands tall among these iconic tunes, a rousing declaration of youthful rebellion, unbridled passion for music, and the enduring power of dreams.
This electrifying performance from the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 captures the essence of “Johnny B. Goode” in all its raw, untamed glory. Chuck Berry, the undisputed father of rock and roll, takes center stage, his guitar in hand, his voice brimming with the fire and grit that defined his legendary career. Beside him stands Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, a musical force in their own right, their collective energy amplifying the song’s infectious energy to new heights.
As the opening chords ring out, a palpable sense of excitement fills the air. Berry’s signature guitar riffs, crisp and clean, cut through the crowd like a shot of adrenaline. His voice, though weathered by time, still retains its youthful exuberance, soaring over the band’s thunderous accompaniment. The lyrics, simple yet profound, paint a vivid picture of Johnny B. Goode, a young guitar prodigy with a burning desire to make his mark on the world.
Berry’s performance is a masterclass in showmanship. He struts and sways across the stage, his every move exuding an effortless cool that belies his years. His fingers dance across the fretboard, coaxing out licks that are both technically dazzling and emotionally resonant. Springsteen and the E Street Band provide the perfect foil to Berry’s charismatic presence, their muscular backing adding depth and power to the song.
More than just a performance, this rendition of “Johnny B. Goode” is a celebration of rock and roll’s enduring spirit. It’s a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries, unite generations, and ignite the flames of passion and rebellion in hearts young and old. As the final notes fade away, the crowd erupts in a thunderous applause, their cheers echoing Berry’s triumphant guitar riff. In that moment, rock and roll history was made once again.
Video
Lyrics
“Johnny B. Goode”
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 bellGo 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!