Lyrics
He pleads to his manager
Johnny B. Goode is pleading with his manager.
There just seems to be no way out
Feeling trapped, Johnny sees no apparent solution to his problems.
Have one last cigarette
As a ritual, he decides to have one final cigarette.
No time to put it out
Due to time constraints, he can't finish smoking it.
He's quitting this time for good
Johnny is determined to quit for good after this performance.
This is the last gig for Johnny B. Goode
This gig marks the end of Johnny B. Goode's career.
And now the pressure's really on
The pressure on Johnny intensifies.
Black limousines close in
Black limousines approach, signifying the magnitude of the event.
His hotel suite is really neat
His hotel suite is in order, but the flight to the venue was challenging.
But the flight nearly did him in
A telegram wishes him luck, but he's facing health issues.
A telegram said break a leg
A contradictory message; the doctor diagnoses a head injury.
But the doctor says he's broken his head
Preparation for the performance: set up the amplifiers.
Set up the amps
The instruction is to play the music loudly to drown out the lyrics.
Play it loud
A sarcastic acknowledgment of a job well done.
So no one can hear the words
Acknowledging that the audience may not want to stay after the performance.
Good job
The lights are set up but kept dim to conceal Johnny's state.
They wouldn't want to hang around
Announcing Johnny B. Goode for the last time to the audience.
Set up the lights
Expressing that Johnny would prefer not to be at the gig.
But keep 'em dim
Highlighting Johnny's lack of need to prove himself anymore.
So no one will see him in
A farewell to Johnny B. Goode as he leaves the stage.
The state that he's in
Agent's dissatisfaction with the venue's condition.
Ladies and gentlemen
Suggesting that booking the audience would have been more beneficial than booking the band.
Will you welcome for the last time
Reiterating Johnny's commitment to quitting the music industry.
A man who if he could help it
An acknowledgment of Johnny B. Goode's departure.
Would not be here tonight
The agent reflects on Johnny's refusal to be at the gig if he had a choice.
The man who has nothing left to prove
Recognizing that Johnny has nothing left to prove in his career.
Bye bye Johnny B. Goode
A final farewell to Johnny B. Goode.
The agent's looking restless
The agent is uneasy, expressing dissatisfaction with the venue.
He says this house is awful bad
Suggesting that the audience is not responsive or enthusiastic.
He said we should have booked the audience
An ironic remark implying that booking the audience would have been more successful.
Rather than booked the band
Reiteration of Johnny's determination to quit the music industry.
He's quitting this time for good
Stating the reason for quitting is the lack of support for Johnny.
Because they won't turn up for Johnny B. Goode
Finalizing Johnny B. Goode's decision to retire from the music scene.
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