About the song
“You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry is a delightful rock and roll classic that evokes the charm and simplicity of early 1960s America. Written and performed by the legendary Chuck Berry, the song was released as a single in 1964 and later featured on his album “St. Louis to Liverpool.” Berry, a pioneer of rock and roll, crafted “You Never Can Tell” with his signature storytelling style, capturing a slice of life with a catchy tune and memorable lyrics.
The song narrates the story of a young, newlywed couple who navigate their way through life’s ups and downs with optimism and love. The opening line, “It was a teenage wedding, and the old folks wished them well,” sets the scene for a tale that resonates with many listeners. Berry’s clever lyrics and upbeat tempo create a vivid picture of the couple’s adventures, from buying a “souped-up jitney” to enjoying their “coolerator” filled with TV dinners and ginger ale.
“You Never Can Tell” showcases Berry’s ability to blend rock and roll with rhythm and blues, creating a sound that is both unique and timeless. The song’s catchy melody and engaging story helped it achieve commercial success, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its popularity was reignited in the 1990s when it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film “Pulp Fiction,” introducing the song to a new generation of fans.
The enduring appeal of “You Never Can Tell” lies in its universal themes and Berry’s charismatic performance. It reminds listeners that life is full of surprises and that love and resilience can help navigate through any challenges. Whether you’re revisiting this classic or hearing it for the first time, “You Never Can Tell” remains a testament to Chuck Berry’s genius and the enduring power of rock and roll.
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Lyrics
It was a teenage wedding, and the old folks wished them well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
And now the young monsieur and madame have rung the chapel bell
“C’est la vie”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They furnished off an apartment with a two room Roebuck sale
The coolerator was crammed with TV dinners and ginger ale
But when Pierre found work, the little money comin’ worked out well
“C’est la vie”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They had a hi-fi phono, boy, did they let it blast
Seven hundred little records, all rock, rhythm and jazz
But when the sun went down, the rapid tempo of the music fell
“C’est la vie”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They bought a souped-up jitney, ’twas a cherry red ’53
They drove it down to Orleans to celebrate the anniversary
It was there that Pierre was married to the lovely mademoiselle
“C’est la vie”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell