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Johnny B. Goode
Words & Music:
Chuck BerryDeep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Good
Who never learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
Go, go, go Johnny go, go, go Johnny, go go
Go Johnny go, go, go Johnny go go
Johnny B. Good
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday you will be in lights saying Johnny B. Good" Recorded:
1969/08/24, first released on
In PersonReactions
The best version of this song is by Elvis. He's even better then Jimi Hendrix. Also listen to Jerry Scheff going bananas on this song. Love it to death.
Yes a classic live rocker performed to perfection by our man, and the best version I have ever heard was his from 1969. This song has so much excitement and drive, and is an absolute gem.
Only three versions of this song count, Chuck Berry's Elvis' and Dion's. I never skip Elvis'.
A classic song by Chuck Berry. The live versions from 1969 are great, just the perfect song it seems for a comeback to live performances. Elvis became less and less interested in rockers in the 70's and it shows with his versions of Johnny B. Goode.
One of that rockers that Elvis never failed to deliver that spunk which is his! And with James Burton at his side it is fabulous. Even the worst version rocks your socks off. He did a better job with this one in the latter part of his life (maybe on auto pilot) than Hound Dog (which he obviously got weary of).
Fantastic rocker the king at his best. Attempt to sit still when you play this song. Check out the versions on FTDs On Tour and Hello Memphis. Awesome.
The "In Person" version is the best imo! I would have liked him to do more verses, still it's the energy of the performance that captures ones attention! Great stuff that one! An "Elvis cuts Chuck Berry" album would have been a dream!
Listen to 1969 only if you want a good rocking version that he was into. All others are auto-pilot versions.
Love this song!! Elvis sounds great from 69-73 versions, still ticks me off that it was cut from On Tour DVD!! That song made the opening credits so cool! Always loved the way the picture came towards the screen, and after Elvis speaks you know that it tears into Johnny B. Such a shame it's not there anymore!! Also love version from Elvis Lives concert 2001, tha TCB band sounds great and the solos are fantastic especially Ronnies drum solo perfect timing that runs right back into Elvis' vocals. Awesome!! TCB!
The 1969 live version is the best. All others pale in comparison. That one rocks as hard as anything Elvis ever did. Elvis did great jobs on Chuck Berry songs. Should have an cut an album of Berry's songs.
The version he did in rehearsals on That's the Way It Is: Special Edition Disc 3 is the best one he really rocks
Always wished he'd have cut it in the studio. But it's hard to complain too much considering how great the early live recordings of this were.
Who said Elvis & Rock died when he went into the army. This is Elvis 10 years later showing that when it comes to pure R&r no one does it better. There was more to come too, Burning Love, Promised Land, etc. Rac could / should release a Cd of Elvis's R&r recordings from 1960 onwards. Too name a few, Dirty Dirty Feeling, Memphis Tennessee, I Want You With Me, Guitar Man, Too Much Monkey Business.
a crisp clear version, passionate and powerful. would have liked it to hear some of hose rehearsals from 69. but I guess there ain't no tapes at all...too bad.
A great rocker, Elvis at his best and the band is cooking! The rehearsal version from 1970 is also very good and musically so is the version from "On Tour" but Elvis vocals on the latter one is a little weak. Then there are some pretty good versions from 73-74 but no one that tops the one from 69.
Great rock song! The fantastic version on Elvis in person is my favorite. I also like how the song was used in the introduction of On tour. The later versions are not that good, they were way too short and uninspired vocals by Elvis. But, James Burton always did a great job on this song.
The JBG version from 'Elvis In Person' 1969 in Las Vegas gave back my faith in Elvis after a handfull of years with doubt, pain and humiliation over songs like Old McDonald, Clambake, Harum Holiday aso. THIS is the ultimate live rock song ever ...... everything just clicks perfect in this version! Ladies and gentlemen: The King is Back!
Pure magic. The 69 version is the most powerful ! With songs like this, what a friend we have in Elvis !!!
Fantastic Song, Fantastic Elvis, Fantastic James Burton. Which Ever year of Elvis you decide to listen to i havent heard a bad version. My favourite version is from the impossible dream ftd with elvis' raw energy driven straight in to. Also on tour rehearsals is a fab version. Elvis Rocks
Available Alternate Versions