Johnny B. Goode
Musical Odyssey: Johnny B. Goode's Journey from Woods to Stardom
Lyrics
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Setting the scene in Louisiana near New Orleans.
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Describing a remote area in the woods with evergreen trees.
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Depicting a log cabin made of earth and wood.
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Introduction of the protagonist, Johnny B. Goode, a country boy.
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
Highlighting Johnny's limited literacy skills.
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
Emphasizing Johnny's exceptional guitar-playing ability.
Go go
Encouraging Johnny to go and showcasing excitement for his talent.
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
Describing Johnny carrying his guitar in a sack.
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Depicting Johnny sitting under a tree near a railroad track.
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Engineers noticing Johnny playing along with passing trains.
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
Strumming in sync with the rhythm of the train drivers.
People passing by, they would stop and say
People recognizing Johnny's musical talent as they pass by.
"Oh my that little country boy could play"
Expressing admiration for Johnny's musical skill.
Go go
Continued excitement and encouragement for Johnny.
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
Johnny's mother foreseeing his future success.
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Anticipating Johnny becoming a leader of a big band.
Many people coming from miles around
Expecting people to gather to hear Johnny play.
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Referring to Johnny's music playing at sunset.
Maybe someday your name will be in lights
Speculating that Johnny's name might be in lights someday.
Saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Imagining a future where Johnny is celebrated.
Go go
Repeated encouragement for Johnny to go and play.
Go Johnny go
-Go go go Johnny go
-Go go go Johnny go
-Go go go Johnny go
-Go
-Johnny B. Goode
Reiteration of Johnny B. Goode's name, emphasizing his identity.
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