Carol

Album: Chuck Berry Is On Top (1958)
Charted: 18
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a boy who must learn to dance or risk losing Carol to other men. He insists he will learn, and tempts her with a trip to a jumping little joint he knows about.
  • Berry was in his 30s when he was writing songs like this one about teenagers. His assistant, Francine Gillium, helped him get in the right mindset by telling him about a high school she looked after. Berry stayed away from politics and topical references in his songs, knowing that stories about the tribulations of young love would be evergreen.
  • The Rolling Stones covered this on their first album in 1964. They were the first to bring this and many other R&B songs to a white audience.
  • Chuck Berry got the name Carol from the daughter of Clyde McPhatter's girlfriend's daughter. McPhatter was popular R&B singer who fronted The Drifters for a time. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • The Beatles recorded this song for a BBC radio special in 1963. This recording was released in 1994 of on the Live At The BBC album.

Comments: 15

  • Hoyt E Toite from Long Island NyKeith goes ape s--t doin this Berry classic on Ya Ya’s
  • Jennifur SunNever knew the Beatles did a cover of this song. LOVE the video of Chuck and Keith doing this one.
  • Melody from Gainesville, FloridaIf you have not watched "Hail, Hail Rock and Roll", a documentary about Chuck Berry, you should. It was released in the 80's and has Keith Richards and other musicians getting together to play. I especially liked the part where they are practicing to play "Carol". Keith kept messing up the intro and Chuck was so mad.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaLoved the video of Chuck teaching Keith how to play this song, sadly it is no longer up but used to make me laugh.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 22nd 1977 Chuck Berry performed "Carol" on the NBC-TV program 'Saturday Night Live'...
    Nineteen years earlier on August 19th, 1958 it entered Billboard's Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #18 and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #9 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    Charles Edward Anderson Berry celebrated his 87th birthday three months ago on October 18th (2013).
  • Ron from Los Angels, CaThe Stones version on Get Yer Yayas Out is pretty hard to beat
  • Isabelle from Phoenix, AzJohnny Hallyday, famous French singer, covered this song in French.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyTommy Roe; of "Sheila" fame; had a version of this song in 1964, it peaked at No. 61...
  • Reed from New Ulm, MnDana-------it's on "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" ----a truly great redition by Mick and the boys of an old Berry classic!
  • Billy J from San Antonio, TxTom Petty did this song in the dvd for PBS's Sound stage,great cover and great dvd
  • Winn from Mcminnville, OrThe Beatles recorded Carol Also. It's very cool. You can hear it on there recorded B.B.C. Sessions. I'm a big fan of Chuck Berry and I love the sound of the guitar during the solo. :)
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScDonna I think the live album is Get Yer Yayas Out. I did hear it's on there too.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI heard the studio version done by the Stones and it's great. I could tell that it's a Chuck Barry song because of the sounds of the guitars and the guitar riffs in the intro.
  • Alan from Grande Prairie, Alberta, CanadaHave a studio version of this tune on the Stones first album "England's Newest Hitmakers". They also covered Holly's "Not Fade Away" their first breakthrough hit in North America.
  • Dana from Biloxi, MsI love the stones version,from a live album,can't remeber the name but it had a donkey carrying drums down the road for the cover art.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.