“Maybellene” by Chuck Berry
The song, similar in content to the famous American folk song “Ida Red“, narrates the story of an unfaithful lover who is caught cheating. Here, the main theme of the song is based on cars, racing and types of cars.
The singer narrates how he was driving enthusiastically (motorvatin) on a hill where he saw this lady, Maybellene in a Coupe Deville car at top speed. Considering the nature of the story, it is possible that this woman is with another man who is richer and has a more expensive car than her partner. Although the narrator tries to chase her car, his own Ford gets too hot and faulty since it cannot compete with the Deville.
As the song ends, the writer confirms that it is truly Maybellene. He stresses on her disloyalty throughout the choruses and questions why she keeps cheating on him.
“Maybellene” Facts
Artist(s): Chuck Berry
Writing: Berry himself in conjunction with R. Fratto and A. Freed
Production: Leonard Chess alongside Phil Chess
Release Year: 1955
Album/EP: “Chuck Berry Is on Top”
Genre(s)
It is a pure rock and roll track. However, “Maybellene” also fits perfectly into the category of rockabilly music.
Chart Performance
- United States: 3
Achievements
Since Berry released “Maybellene” in the 1950s, it has received a host of coveted awards, honors and accolades. Some include the following:
- Honored with the prestigious “Grammy Hall of Fame” induction in 1988.
- Included in NPR’s list of the greatest American music compositions created in the 20th century.
- In 2004, it occupied the 18th spot on Rolling Stone‘s famed list of the greatest songs ever released dubbed “500 Greatest Songs of All Time“.
Popular Artists that have covered “Maybellene”
- Marty Robbins in 1955
- Elvis Presley in 1956
- The Everly Brothers in 1965
- Paul Simon in 1982
- George Jones in 1996
- Carl Perkins in 1978
- Johnny Rivers in 1964
- The Syndicats in 1964
Was “Maybellene “a single release?
Yes. Chuck released it as the first official single from his epic album of 1955 titled “Chuck Berry Is on Top”. The iconic song “Johnny B. Goode” was also one of the epic project’s singles.
