Chuck Berry — You Can't Catch Me
Album: The Chess BoxAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 543
Length: 2:40
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I bought a brand new airmobile
It was custom made
It was a Flight DeVille
With a powerful motor
And some hideaway wings
Push in on the button and you will hear her sing
Now you can't catch me
Baby, you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close
You know I'm gone like a cool breeze
New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours
I was rolling slowly 'cause of drizzlin' showers
Here come a flattop, he was movin' up with me
Then come wavin' goodbye
In a little, old suped-up mini
I put my foot in my tank and I begin to roll
Moanin' sirens, 'twas the state patrol
So I let out my wings and then I blew my horn
Bye-bye New Jersey I become airborne
Now you can't catch me
Baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close
You know I'm gone like a cool breeze
Flyin' with my baby last Saturday night
Wasn't a gray cloud floatin' in sight
Big full moon shinin' up above
Cuddle up honey, be my love
Sweetest little thing I ever seen
I'm gonna name you Mabelline
Flyin' on the beam set on flight control
Radio tuned to rock 'n' roll
Two, three hours a-passed us by
Altitude dropped to 505
Fuel consumption way too fast
Let's get on home before we run out of gas
Now you can't catch me
No baby, you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close
You know I'm gone like a cool breeze
It was custom made
It was a Flight DeVille
With a powerful motor
And some hideaway wings
Push in on the button and you will hear her sing
Now you can't catch me
Baby, you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close
You know I'm gone like a cool breeze
New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours
I was rolling slowly 'cause of drizzlin' showers
Here come a flattop, he was movin' up with me
Then come wavin' goodbye
In a little, old suped-up mini
I put my foot in my tank and I begin to roll
Moanin' sirens, 'twas the state patrol
So I let out my wings and then I blew my horn
Bye-bye New Jersey I become airborne
Now you can't catch me
Baby you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close
You know I'm gone like a cool breeze
Flyin' with my baby last Saturday night
Wasn't a gray cloud floatin' in sight
Big full moon shinin' up above
Cuddle up honey, be my love
Sweetest little thing I ever seen
I'm gonna name you Mabelline
Flyin' on the beam set on flight control
Radio tuned to rock 'n' roll
Two, three hours a-passed us by
Altitude dropped to 505
Fuel consumption way too fast
Let's get on home before we run out of gas
Now you can't catch me
No baby, you can't catch me
'Cause if you get too close
You know I'm gone like a cool breeze
Comments (56)add comment
That brother had it goin' on!
pelucid wrote:
Best intentions gone wrong. John Lennon thought he was paying tribute to Chuck, but the owner of the songs rights (not Berry, as he was swindled out of them like every other artist) sued him and they eventually had a strange settlement that also required John to record an album with songs that were owned by the publishers.
"Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly"...hmmm. haha. Nice to see a little respect to Chuck from the Beatles. Never noticed that line was in this.
Best intentions gone wrong. John Lennon thought he was paying tribute to Chuck, but the owner of the songs rights (not Berry, as he was swindled out of them like every other artist) sued him and they eventually had a strange settlement that also required John to record an album with songs that were owned by the publishers.
has a touch of Choctaw Bingo
How many subsequent r & r songs by Chuck lovers does this conjure up? Get Back and String Brucebean's Radio Nowhere and some ZZ Top and...lengthen that list, y'all?
Kwai Kwai ~ Aw shucks ~ and a fond farewell to you, Mr Chuck Berry ~ now we'll never be able to sit down for a coffee or tea, etc together again... Rest in peace.
...All Our Relations
...All Our Relations
lemmoth wrote:
Hey folks - Chuck's people's sued John's people for Come Together. John settled by recording "You Can't Catch Me" on his Rock and Roll oldies covers album, resulting in significant royalties for Mr. Berry or rather his publisher.
Yes, that suit was actually brought by the notorious music industry swindler and convicted extortionist, Morris Levy, who held the publishing rights to most of Chuck Berry's material. It seems unlikely that Chuck Berry got a penny out of that lawsuit.
Hey folks - Chuck's people's sued John's people for Come Together. John settled by recording "You Can't Catch Me" on his Rock and Roll oldies covers album, resulting in significant royalties for Mr. Berry or rather his publisher.
Yes, that suit was actually brought by the notorious music industry swindler and convicted extortionist, Morris Levy, who held the publishing rights to most of Chuck Berry's material. It seems unlikely that Chuck Berry got a penny out of that lawsuit.
hayduke2 wrote:
GOD.
here come a flattop,
he was movin up with me
he was movin up with me
GOD.
This is one of the most badazz rock and roll songs of all time. Chuck's guitar slingin is just golden. Love the old Es 350 tone!
segueman wrote:
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
ok, so one ahole suing another ahole then. although the first ahole invented rock n roll.
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
ok, so one ahole suing another ahole then. although the first ahole invented rock n roll.
Never heard this until now - Sweeeeeeet! 
Hold it...is this the Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, or Smashing Pumpkins?
bb_matt wrote:
Yeah, a comedy of greed. Here's as good a summary as any: https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/john-lennon/songs/you-cant-catch-me/
"Here come a flattop, he was movin' up with me" - NOW I get where Lennon got his line "Here come ol' flattop, he come groovin' up slowly" - apparently. There was a court case about this.
Yeah, a comedy of greed. Here's as good a summary as any: https://www.beatlesbible.com/people/john-lennon/songs/you-cant-catch-me/
Killer! This is what inspired those Beach Boys car classics.
"Here come a flattop, he was movin' up with me" - NOW I get where Lennon got his line "Here come ol' flattop, he come groovin' up slowly" - apparently. There was a court case about this.
There sure is: it's called W-i-k-i-p-e-d-i-a.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Man if there were only some way to check this stuff out before making a fool of myself. 
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Man if there were only some way to check this stuff out before making a fool of myself. BillG wrote:
Uh, but Peter Tosh *is* dead...
Man if there were only some way to check this stuff out before making a fool of myself.
Uh, but Peter Tosh *is* dead...
Man if there were only some way to check this stuff out before making a fool of myself. 1956. Even back then, the world revolved around girls, cars, and driving fast.
lemmoth wrote:
Hey folks - Chuck's people's sued John's people for Come Together. John settled by recording "You Can't Catch Me" on his Rock and Roll oldies covers album, resulting in significant royalties for Mr. Berry or rather his publisher.
You can bet the ranch CB didn't get much of it. He'd been hosed and overhosed by then.
Hey folks - Chuck's people's sued John's people for Come Together. John settled by recording "You Can't Catch Me" on his Rock and Roll oldies covers album, resulting in significant royalties for Mr. Berry or rather his publisher.
You can bet the ranch CB didn't get much of it. He'd been hosed and overhosed by then.
pelucid wrote:
Hey folks - Chuck's people's sued John's people for Come Together. John settled by recording "You Can't Catch Me" on his Rock and Roll oldies covers album, resulting in significant royalties for Mr. Berry or rather his publisher.
"Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly"...hmmm. haha. Nice to see a little respect to Chuck from the Beatles. Never noticed that line was in this.
Hey folks - Chuck's people's sued John's people for Come Together. John settled by recording "You Can't Catch Me" on his Rock and Roll oldies covers album, resulting in significant royalties for Mr. Berry or rather his publisher.
bobringer wrote:
Only so many chord variations out there, ya know! This track was cut before Daddy wrote his famous books, even. Also this song has definitely been around for what, 75 years?? Back in the Barrel House Piano Days ...
Chuck's playing the Chocktaw Bingo?
Only so many chord variations out there, ya know! This track was cut before Daddy wrote his famous books, even. Also this song has definitely been around for what, 75 years?? Back in the Barrel House Piano Days ...
pelucid wrote:
Y'know I never realized the reference before this. Thanks!
"Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly"...hmmm. haha. Nice to see a little respect to Chuck from the Beatles. Never noticed that line was in this.
Y'know I never realized the reference before this. Thanks!
pelucid wrote:
Springsteen also seems to have borrowed the line "New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours" for one of the songs on Nebraska.
"Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly"...hmmm. haha. Nice to see a little respect to Chuck from the Beatles. Never noticed that line was in this.
Springsteen also seems to have borrowed the line "New Jersey Turnpike in the wee wee hours" for one of the songs on Nebraska.
"Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly"...hmmm. haha. Nice to see a little respect to Chuck from the Beatles. Never noticed that line was in this.
9—>10
Another one of the best 'car' songs.
Another one of the best 'car' songs.
bobringer wrote:
First of all your syntax is incorrect; when talking about Chuck Berry, rock and roll music and chronology; he is ALWAYS first because he is THE King of rock and roll.
Chuck's playing the Chocktaw Bingo?
First of all your syntax is incorrect; when talking about Chuck Berry, rock and roll music and chronology; he is ALWAYS first because he is THE King of rock and roll.
Chuck's the King of rock & roll. A 10 for sure. I wish the Dead would've covered this, but they didn't.
Hah, always thought this was a Steven Stills song.
bobringer wrote:
Thought the same thing. This is the first time I'd heard this song. Wouldn't have known the connection without RP!
Chuck's playing the Chocktaw Bingo?
Thought the same thing. This is the first time I'd heard this song. Wouldn't have known the connection without RP!
Well now, Chuck, they really did catch you that one time.........
It's at least a '9' just on spec.
The New Jersey stuff makes it a '10'.
The New Jersey stuff makes it a '10'.
MORE. CHUCK. BERRY.
nice sequence
1956? Cool, Daddy-O!
Chuck's playing the Chocktaw Bingo?
more chuck here please!
let it rock
let it rock
Hmm, Hey, Bill, d'ya think Scott's still with us?
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Ha ha ha what? Oh. Sorry, Chuck.
Peter Tosh better start wearing a cup then.
Uh, but Peter Tosh *is* dead...
Ha ha ha what? Oh. Sorry, Chuck.
Peter Tosh better start wearing a cup then.
Uh, but Peter Tosh *is* dead...
WonderLizard wrote:
Um, Chuck's still with us.
Ha ha ha what? Oh. Sorry, Chuck.
Peter Tosh better start wearing a cup then.
Um, Chuck's still with us.
Ha ha ha what? Oh. Sorry, Chuck.
Peter Tosh better start wearing a cup then.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Um, Chuck's still with us.
Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me
Peter Tosh - Johnny B. Goode
Chuck just came back from the dead and kicked Peter Tosh in the nuts for his lousy cover.
Peter Tosh - Johnny B. Goode
Chuck just came back from the dead and kicked Peter Tosh in the nuts for his lousy cover.
Um, Chuck's still with us.
segueman wrote:
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
Chuck may or may not be an "A-hole," but it was Morris Levy (who owned the publishing rights to the song) who sued John Lennon.
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
Chuck may or may not be an "A-hole," but it was Morris Levy (who owned the publishing rights to the song) who sued John Lennon.
Chuck Berry - You Can't Catch Me
Peter Tosh - Johnny B. Goode
Chuck just came back from the dead and kicked Peter Tosh in the nuts for his lousy cover.
Peter Tosh - Johnny B. Goode
Chuck just came back from the dead and kicked Peter Tosh in the nuts for his lousy cover.
segueman wrote:
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
Yes, but the songs sound similar in other ways too. Lawsuits suck. Copyright infringement sucks too. I guess the world is not perfect.
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
Yes, but the songs sound similar in other ways too. Lawsuits suck. Copyright infringement sucks too. I guess the world is not perfect.
cc_rider wrote:
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
Hear the 'flattop' line? The Beatles might've heard this song before writing 'Come Together', you think?
Mr. Berry must've scared the bejabbers out of the establishment. Dang, he got it going ON!
Mr. Berry must've scared the bejabbers out of the establishment. Dang, he got it going ON!
Chuck sued over that line which was meant to pay homage to Chuck, John recorded the Rock N Roll album as a settlement. Chuck's an A-hole.
fredriley wrote:
Yes soon as I heard the "flat top" line I was aware of the beatles "borrowing" that line.
It's great to hear lesser-known Chuck Berry numbers, instead of the 'usual suspects'. Such a great toe-tapping sound with such simple instruments. Classic blues/rock. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Yes soon as I heard the "flat top" line I was aware of the beatles "borrowing" that line.
cc_rider wrote:
That line caught my ear as well.
What a delightful little song.
Hear the 'flattop' line? The Beatles might've heard this song before writing 'Come Together', you think?
That line caught my ear as well.
What a delightful little song.
It's great to hear lesser-known Chuck Berry numbers, instead of the 'usual suspects'. Such a great toe-tapping sound with such simple instruments. Classic blues/rock. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
my favorite chuck berry song. glad to hear it on RP.
Hear the 'flattop' line? The Beatles might've heard this song before writing 'Come Together', you think?
Mr. Berry must've scared the bejabbers out of the establishment. Dang, he got it going ON!
Mr. Berry must've scared the bejabbers out of the establishment. Dang, he got it going ON!
Funny, I had the same thought when I heard the lyric.
Good fun. I'm amazed at how much RP surprises me with their variety.Wish I could get them in my car.
Good fun. I'm amazed at how much RP surprises me with their variety.Wish I could get them in my car.
"here come ole flattop" now makes so much more sense. I thought it meant the haircut...
Coming up next — Come Together
He wrote his own songs, which defined & were perfectly suited to his era, and remain timeless.
The KING of ROCK and ROLL