Johnny B Goode – Song Facts, Recording Info And More!

Written by: Chuck Berry Recorded: 7 January 1964 Producer: Bernie Andrews

Released: 30 November 1994 (UK), 5 December 1994 (US)

Available on: Live At The BBC

Personnel

John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar Paul McCartney: bass George Harrison: lead guitar Ringo Starr: drums

The Beatles recorded a version of Chuck Berry’s rock ‘n’ roll classic ‘Johnny B Goode’ in January 1964, for the BBC radio show Saturday Club.

The song was written by Berry in 1955, and released as a single in March 1958. It helped seal Berry’s reputation as a rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, and spawned a great many cover versions.

Chuck Berry was another massive influence with ‘Johnny B Goode’. We’d go up to John’s bedroom with his little record player and listen to Chuck Berry records, trying to learn them.

Paul McCartney Anthology

‘Johnny B Goode’ was recorded by The Beatles on 7 January 1964, their first radio session of that year. It was performed at the Playhouse Theatre, London, and the episode of Saturday Club was first broadcast on 15 February.

Between 1957 and 1966, The Beatles performed more songs written by Chuck Berry than by any other artist. They recorded ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ in 1963 for With The Beatles, and ‘Rock And Roll Music’ appeared on the following year’s Beatles For Sale.

Additionally, they taped many more songs by Berry for the BBC, several of which – ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’, ‘Carol’, ‘Memphis, Tennessee’, ‘Too Much Monkey Business’ and ‘I Got To Find My Baby’ – appeared alongside ‘Johnny B Goode’ on Live At The BBC.

In the Fifties, when people were virtually singing about nothing, Chuck Berry was writing social-comment songs, with incredible metre to the lyrics. When I hear rock, good rock, of the calibre of Chuck Berry, I just fall apart and I have no other interest in life. The world could be ending if rock ‘n’ roll is playing.

John Lennon, 1972 Anthology

Lyrics

Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans Way back up in the woods among the evergreens There stands a country cabin made of tar and wood Where lives a country boy named Johnny B Goode He never learned to read or write a book so well He could play his guitar just like a-ringing a bell

Go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Ah, Johnny B Goode

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack Sit beneath the trees by the railroad track Oh, sitting and a-playing in the shade Strumming to the rhythm that the drivers made People passing by used to stop and say My, but how that country boy can play

Go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Go Johnny, go, go, go Ah, Johnny B Goode

Well, his mama 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 till the sun goes 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, go Ah, Johnny B Goode

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