I first played this song back in the 70’s (yes, the 70’s – good times). I was in a band that performed a variety of music, but I always looked forward to that part of the evening when we trotted out this Chuck Berry tune. We had a drummer who could sing it like nobody’s business and I loved the piano licks. Big fun.

Berry wrote the song in 1955, but didn’t record it until I was 8 years old (I’m pretty sure he was waiting for me to be old enough to appreciate it).  He admitted that it was partly autobiographical – first using “colored boy” in the lyrics but then changed it to “country boy” to make sure it got played on the radio.  “Johnny B. Goode” is one of his most famous songs and is considered to be one of the most recognizable in music history  (it’s that guitar intro).  It is ranked as number seven on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” (not that I read that liberal rag anymore).

This is the arrangement we use today.  I’m using a sax on the vocal lead so you get an idea how to sing it (you might be under 30).  I usually cut the piano track and play it myself…. it’s still huge fun.