Rivers, Johnny - Maybelline Lyrics






As I was motivatin' over the hill
I saw Mabellene in a Coup de Ville
A Cadillac a-rollin' on the open road
Nothin' will outrun my V8 Ford
The Cadillac doin' about 95
She's bumper to bumper, rollin' side by side

Maybellene, why can't you be true
Oh, Maybellene, why can't you be true
You've started back doin' the things you used to do

Well, the Cadillac pulled up ahead of the Ford
The Ford got hot and wouldn't do no more
It then got cloudy and started to rain
I tooted my horn for a passin' lane
The rainwater blowin' all under my hood
I know that I was doin' my motor good

Maybellene, why can't you be true
Oh, Maybellene, why can't you be true
You've started back doin' the things you used to do

The heat went down, the motor cooled down
And that's when I heard that highway sound
The Cadillac a-sittin' like a ton of lead
A hundred and ten half a mile ahead
The Cadillac lookin' like it's sittin' still
I caught Mabellene at the top of the hill

Maybellene, why can't you be true
Oh, Maybellene, why can't you be true
You've started back doin' the things you used to do





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Rivers, Johnny Maybelline Comments
  1. T.... D....

    This IS....entertainment - all smarts, heart & soul! Covering Chuck Berry superlatively... ain't easy...

  2. n.... ....

    I know covers were done often back in the 60's..wonder if white artists covered black singer's hits knowing they'd get airplay & sales in the Jim Crow/racist regions of the US?

  3. J.... P....

    I love this guy, first album, I ever had Live at The Whiskey A Go Go!

  4. S.... S....

    this guy is awesome!

  5. D.... R....

    And He's NOT in the Rock & Roll Hall of Shame ?

  6. G.... F....

    SAW HIM THREE TIMES....AMAZING CATALOGUE OF TUNES HE DID....LIKE 30 SONGS...AT THOSE SHOWS...

  7. W.... C....

    Saw him do this song and "Memphis" on The Red Skelton Show in the early '60s.

  8. J.... C....

    👌Johnny did covers in his own style - _often better than the original !_ 🎼🎶

  9. P.... P....

    Absolutely dreadful version of Chuck Berry's early masterpiece. What's next - Pat Boone doing Tutti Frutti ?

  10. J.... R....

    Jus think he was so good he didnt need a guitar cable

  11. e.... d....

    man he can sing that song miss these days 2019 now

  12. S.... D....

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again this man can sing anything and it would sound amazing

  13. g.... h....

    Better than Chuck's original version))

  14. D.... R....

    Johnny ''too good to be true'' Rivers.
    .....why cant you be true????....

  15. j.... ....

    55 years later..Johnny is still great and going strong,keeps in great shape,an all around nice guy,and  still sounds original !

  16. O.... J....

    Buena versión 2019

  17. V.... G....

    love him

  18. J.... a....

    Just like to be playing with friends on Fridays afternoons after school day in college ! when you just play for your own fun and don't think about making money or industry engagements it's the best way of playing for fun and here all we may notice Johnny is enjoying sharing his music with all of us that's what he's Great!

  19. S.... D....

    Still love listening to this man what a wonderful performer

  20. a.... b....

    Fantastic song

  21. R.... S....

    Not playing... guitar not even plugged in. He's a hack. Anyone can play other people's songs w thier own style. He is nothing special. His interviews always seem awkward

  22. d.... d....

    I put many quarters in the jute box to listen to Johnnies songs. Outstanding talent.

  23. W.... C....

    Saw him on the Red Skelton Show (can you even believe that?) in about '63. I guess it's the show Dick asked about. He did this and Secret Agent Man and Mountain of Love friggin' LIVE on stage!

  24. n.... l....

    the best looking man ever!!! hes still sexy in his 70s!!! damn oh damn!!!!

    n.... l....

    Yeah he's got it goin on 6 ways from Sunday ❤

    n.... l....

    @Christine Paige He sure does ! God sure knew what he was doin' when he created Johnny Rivers !

  25. J.... S....

    Dietetic Dr Pepper?
    Who says the 60's were not the 😎?

  26. A.... E....

    My first Gibson my dad got me cost 50 dallors in 1963

  27. w.... ....

    FOGHAT DID A GREAT VERSION TOO!

  28. M.... D....

    could someone upload the lyrics of this version of this song? Thank you!!

  29. J.... C....

    ✔ Great guy - class act 👌

  30. T.... L....

    Great entertainer. One of the best writers for simple songs and easy lyrics that became classics.

  31. B.... S....

    He sings with an extremely strong southern accent. Yet zero in his speaking voice. Originally from Brooklyn but moved to Shreveport as a kid.

  32. T.... F....

    Watch how the camera man finds the cute blonde on the break, lol.

    T.... F....

    Turd Furgeson forget that blonde, i want to watch johnny rivers

  33. T.... F....

    Geez Dick Clark was smooth with that promo and intro!

  34. A.... K....

    Wow memmories

  35. B.... L....

    Why dont guess get to play the guitar on band stand no cord on his electric guitar but its sounds as if its electric

  36. M.... D....

    Love this

  37. R.... C....

    Playing old songs in 1964 we had beatles ,stones
    , america really went backwards during the 60s thank god for dylan

  38. A.... T....

    “You worked so hard for so long” yeah, he was 22 in this video

    A.... T....

    Shiloh Kleinschmit yeah!!!

  39. G.... S....

    400.00 for a USA Gibson? ahhhhhh the good ole days lol

  40. L.... ....

    am excellent but almost forgotten performer

  41. S.... H....

    cool always... memories ...

  42. B.... H....

    MR. JOHNNY RIVERS COVERS CHUCK BERRY'S OWN COMPOSTION CALLED "MAYBELLENE" on "THE NEW AMERICAN BANDSTAND 1965" on ABC-TV Saturday Morning September 5, 1964 at 12:30-1:30 PM Eastern on ABC-TV.

  43. J.... ....

    I love this song dearly. It was one of my late father's favorites. HOWEVER...A V-8 Ford would not have that much trouble catching a Caddy.

    J.... ....

    In the 50’s Cadillac was one of the fastest cars on the road. Next to Oldsmobile

  44. j.... t....

    Johnny Rivers: One of the most natural and unassuming stars ever on stage!

    j.... t....

    So so true and exuding the joy of singing and playing. He's probably the few that do justice to the cover.

  45. S.... D....

    the man is great

  46. L.... W....

    Great stuff from an under appreciated pro!  Thanks for posting.

    L.... W....

    Lloyd Williamo

  47. L.... T....

    The drag race excitement.

  48. v.... ....

    He did a great job at ripping off Chuck Berry and other black artists.

    v.... ....

    Hahahaha. Do the masterbator' Troll.

    v.... ....

    veedub447 You stupid fuck . Chuck Berry sold him the rights to do this song and split the royalties with him, nobody stole anything. This is done all the time.

  49. R.... M....

    I remember this songs back in the 60s...I was 5 or 6..

    R.... M....

    I was 20!

  50. d.... l....

    I think Johnny Rivers did very well at a time with all the competition he had. I like a lot of his songs.

  51. l.... f....

    r.i.p. chuck berry...... johnny rivers does a good version .. of a berry classic

  52. M.... ....

    cashing in on chuck

  53. A.... M....

    I Like - Brasil

  54. 7.... ....

    This is from his live at the Whiskey A Go-Go album

  55. 7.... ....

    Johnny Rivers ROCKS!!

  56. S.... D....

    he has a smile that could melt your heart

  57. L.... A....

    Gracias johnny

  58. S.... ....

    I saw Dick Clark at LAX and he was like 5'2" so Johnny must be 5'.

  59. W.... H....

    How is this guy not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Ridiculously overlooked.

    W.... H....

    Because of todays the hall of fame has nothing to do with Rock and Roll - see the members or inducties.

    W.... H....

    @Markus R yeah right? rap in the rock and roll hall of fame. gimme a break. they have to change the name.

  60. W.... ....

    One of THE most underrated 60's performers! A nice Louisiana Italian-american boy, Johnny was a good guy, & a talented singer, & producer. Loved this song ! -----Wolfsky9

  61. C.... M....

    What a doll! 😙

  62. j.... j....

    very nice to see :) an old favourite. but my favourite version is still done by Ron haydock and the boppers

  63. O.... ....

    So good to see Johnny performing this.  A great favourite of mine back in the day when he first came on the scene.  However, I never recall seeing him on TV back then and this makes my first viewing of him performing in July 2016.  A long wait, but well worth it.

  64. S.... H....

    cool cool... still the hit ... after this decades...

    S.... H....

    Svet Hrouchoff COWBOY cubiß

  65. j.... h....

    When I was little I wanted to be a dancer at the club where he played. I still can't get enough of his songs.

    j.... h....

    janice hopperton mall

    j.... h....

    Janice Hopperton,
    I have a first cousin who worked as a Girl Bird Cage Dancer Called GO ! GO GIRLS.
    In LA. Place was The Whiskey
    A Go Go. Johnny Rivers and his Band Was The House Reg. Band. Even Though he was On The Top Highest payed Intertainers in the music buisness . He Worked there. For many Many Years. Heliked to play at his own accord. Swhisky A Go Go kept there doors always open to Johnny.
    My Cousin was great friends
    With him. Never dated He married very young in his life.
    Had a family early . I was just a little boy my Cousin was 18 when first hired to dance there last time there she was 35.I remember her she was beautiful . Even at age 35 . Whitchis not old They begged her to stay she became a wife and mother at age 22.And the Clubs Bar head manager over Waitresses at 27They had great owners her bosses . You
    Can see her in some Vidios when Johnny is singing and playing . She has the blond hair in her face . In the Bird Cage right behind him. The
    Other Girl has darck hair.

  66. Y.... B....

    un autre beau souvenir

  67. R.... J....

    +Lahoney. his voice and his mannerisms, those of a performer, true, one knows how to work a crowd, more and more a lost art... & he knows the babes love him..& not to be crude, but I like the looks of LA Honey..like to see more..:):)...wish they all could be..California...

  68. m.... l....

    Demais, eu o assisti aqui em Porto Alegre, ele e bom mesmo; maneco - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil.

  69. Z.... B....

    Holy smokin great song this guy is COOL

    Z.... B....

    Zen Book Series

  70. a.... c....

    "Maybelline, Johnny Rivers, cover Of Chuck Berry's classic, a real rockin' version, 1964. https://youtu.be/8MXxfftWnHs

    a.... c....

    +alan chrisman chuck berry rocked it,this is the white washed version

  71. S.... S....

    Johnny is one of greatest performers from the 60s

  72. s.... ....

    On this day in 1964 {September 23rd} Johnny Rivers performed his covered version of "Maybelline" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'...
    At the time his version was at #12 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; that was also its peak position on the chart and it stayed on the Top 100 for 9 weeks...
    It reached the Top 10 in Canada, when on September 19th, 1964 it peaked at #9 {for 1 week} on the RPM singles chart...
    Between 1964 and 1978 he had twenty-nine Top 100 records; nine made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "Poor Side of Town" for one week on November 6th, 1966...
    Mr. Rivers, born John Henry Ramistella, will celebrate his 73rd birthday in less than two months on November 7th {2015}...

  73. R.... G....

    Payola creep Dick Clark

  74. d.... ....

    sounds like a johnny cash song   :-)

    d.... ....

    @dobberman111 Its a Chuck Berry song

    d.... ....

    @paul davies i know

  75. E.... S....

    he certainly is a performer i"ll go along with that

  76. C.... C....

    wow thats a performer

    C.... C....

    +Cassandra Calder
    For My Post about Joan Jett, Thank You for
    your +

    C.... C....

    And yes Johnny Rivers was that good !

    C.... C....

    @Cassandra Calder Thank You!

    C.... C....

    @Paul Robichaud :)

  77. J.... R....

    Wow great cover.  Johnny's voice is magical.

  78. J.... H....

    go man!

  79. M.... M....

    His mannerisms are so similar to the chess player Bobby Fischer. I keep doing double takes to make sure its not Bobby

    M.... M....

    @Milan Milutinovic I didn't know Bobby played the guitar...

    M.... M....

    @Baskerville22 you kill me :)

  80. L.... L....

    wow I like his voice!!!

    L.... L....

    i like his voice but i like more dancing the rock and roll of him...when I was so young...Jhonny Rivers it was great at my moment.....the better rocks music I dance Thank you...for this .....

    L.... L....

    @LA LADY HONEY I love his voice, especially on "Slow Dancing"!!

    L.... L....

    Love u Johnny rivers love u

    L.... L....

    Special Agent Man, Poor Side of Town, Rockin' Pneumonia / Boogie Woogie Flu Seventh Son... ☕

  81. C.... ....

    Love his music.................

  82. t.... ....

    this and Tommy Sands   GREAT versions

  83. G.... ....

    Lots of black artists had their songs covered by white artists, who had more commercial success with the songs. Johnny covered a lot of Chuck's songs. This is a good version, but it doesn't rock the way Chuck's take does.

    G.... ....

    Why don't you shut your trap

    G.... ....

    well now aint that cute, another fucking young troll with no idea of whos music is whos, anyone remember the haters of elvis, "that damn white boy singing that Nxxxxxx music", or maybe george thorogood and johnny rivers together singing some of these songs, or chuck berry with zz top doing the same, or any number of many many famous entertainers doing each others music at different times or together jamming on stage at big shows, its "our" music, im betting you don't know who wrote any of the stuff you listen to or who first recorded it. why can't you pricks just shut the fuck up and listen

    G.... ....

    Gator13 so true

    G.... ....

    Chuck is the King of Rock & Roll that's why many have covered his songs

    G.... ....

    Gator13 Yeah I definitely liked watching Chuck Berry do It. The man could sing , play the guitar, and dance across the stage , all at the same time, never missed a note . Worth finding a video of Chuck Berrys performances, to see how much talent , he really had.

  84. D.... M....

    $400 f0r a gibson, that guitar is worth thousands now. fab performance by Johnny, the drum rhythm  got it.

    D.... M....

    DAVY M Probably worth a lot more !! I hope he still has it!

    D.... M....

    Same guitar Eric used with Cream sometimes, he sold his at auction for around $800,000.

  85. j.... v....

    Funny, Chuck Berry wrote the song and sang it much better! Saw him live and loved it!

    j.... v....

    all respect to Mr Berry .but Mr Rivers has the voice ..real southern ,,

    j.... v....

    @Mr Sixties Rock
     If you want a real hoot, search You Tube for the Lawrence Welk orchestra's cover version of "Maybelline" that they actually did in 1955 on one of the earliest network episodes of the Welk TV show. You won't believe it!

  86. C.... M....

    Great!  Thanks for sharing.  That Johnny Rivers was a very handsome man!

    C.... M....

    and he knows it!

    C.... M....

    He still is!

  87. M.... C....

    Great version!

  88. M.... C....

    Great version!

  89. l.... g....

    Probably the only Artist who could do justice to any song. he sort of makes them better, the other artist would be Linda Ronstandt two great artist

  90. J.... H....

    I have the sudden urge to go out and buy some Dentyne...

  91. L.... H....

    MUITO BOM!!!

  92. J.... V....

    A primeira guitarra dele custou 20 dólares, a segunda 400 dólares......o Johnny já tinha bagagem de 7 anos com idade de 22, por isso o admiro!!!! Parabéns Johnny

  93. L.... C....

    O cara tinha apenas 21 anos (ia fazer 22 em novembro) e já tinha 7 anos de carreira, veterano!. É pra poucos, né...

  94. l.... ....

    is that just the best or what? Thanks

  95. l.... ....

    Thnaks!! very good!

  96. T.... T....

    Que bonitinho, tão jovem........

  97. B.... K....

    Great music! Great artist! Great interview! "Maybelline" peaked at #6 here in Sweden in the fall of 1964. THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING!

  98. W.... S....

    VERY NICE!