Inspiration Behind Johnny Be Goode:
Johnny B. Goode serves as an autobiography, painting the picture of a country boy who has dreams of becoming a famous guitar player. Chuck Berry grew up in St. Louis during a time when African Americans were limited in their career paths. Subsequently, upon fulfilling his dream, Chuck wrote Johnny B. Goode to celebrate this genre of rock and roll.
Biblical Application:
You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments, Amos 6:5.
Exegesis of 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 the guitar just a-ringin’ a bell
The introduction of Johnny B. Goode, a country boy who grew up in the deep woods. While education never excited Johnny, picking up a guitar felt just right, able to naturally play.
Go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Johnny B. Goode
A call to encourage Johnny to follow his dream.
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the trees by the railroad track
Oh, the engineers would see him sittin’ in the shade
Strummin’ with the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by, they would stop and say
“Oh my, but that little country boy could play”
Once Johnny could play a collection of songs, he would go out in public to perform as passersby’s marveled at his musical abilities.
Go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Go, Johnny, go, go
Johnny B. Goode
Keep playing Johnny. Keep it up.
His mother told him, “Someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big ol’ 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”
Chuck is likely referring to his own mother who believed in her son and had a clear vision for his life. However, if you stay out of trouble, you’ll be successful in the future.
Go, go
Go, Johnny, go
Go, go, go, Johnny, go
Go, go, go, Johnny, go
Go, go, go, Johnny, go
Go
Johnny B. Goode
A final call for Johnny to follow his dream to be a musician.
Final Thoughts:
Passions can come and go in life. If you don’t nurture or pursue your passions, some talents will simply fade away. In elementary school, I played an alto saxophone and could play the piano by reading music. Once sports took over as my main passion, these musical abilities quickly vanished. Being great at one thing takes years of mastery and practice. However, when you only have one main interest and passion, this usually gives birth to future phenoms. If you are dedicated from an early age like Chuch Berry, anything is possible.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 