Chuck Berry

Father of Rock and Roll

Modern influential 125 sayings

Sayings by Chuck Berry

I just do my best.

1987 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I just wanted to be a musician.

1970s — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I just love to make music.

1987 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I just go with the flow.

1970s — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I'm just a happy-go-lucky guy.

1987 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I just wanted to entertain people.

1970s — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I just love what I do.

1987 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’.

1977 — Famously self-assured statement
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I wasn’t trying to make a statement. I was just trying to make money.

1987 — On his early music career motivations
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My music ain’t nothing but country music with a beat.

1968 — Describing rock ‘n’ roll
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I grew up thinking art was a man’s name.

2000 — Self-deprecating humor
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I wasn’t trying to be a rebel. I was just being me.

1995 — On his image
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You can’t trust a woman who doesn’t have a little bit of a past.

1972 — Controversial opinion in interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.

1980 — On his wild stage persona
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t care about lyrics. I care about rhythm.

1987 — On songwriting
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t like to rehearse. I like to surprise myself.

1990 — On his loose live performances
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If I had to play the same song the same way twice, I’d quit.

1975 — On improvisation
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I’m not a legend. I’m a fact.

1980 — Confident self-assessment
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I never wanted to be famous. I just wanted to be great.

1995 — Reflecting on success
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t do nostalgia. I do now.

2008 — On living in the present
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable