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Promised Land (Chuck Berry song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Promised Land'" is a song lyric written by Chuck Berry to the melody of "Wabash Cannonball", an American folk song. The song was first recorded in this version by Berry in 1964 for his album 'St. Louis to Liverpool'. Released in December 1964, it was Berry's first single issued following his prison term for a Mann Act conviction. The record peaked at #41 in the 'Billboard' charts on January 16, 1965.
Background
Berry wrote the song while in prison, and borrowed an atlas from the prison library to plot the itinerary. In the lyrics, the singer (who refers to himself as "the poor boy") tells of his journey from Norfolk, Virginia, to the "Promised Land", Los Angeles, California, mentioning various cities in Southern states that he passes through on his journey. Describing himself as a "poor boy," the protagonist boards a Greyhound bus in Norfolk, Virginia that passes Raleigh, N.C., stops in Charlotte, North Carolina, and bypasses Rock Hill, South Carolina. The bus rolls out of Atlanta but breaks down, leaving him stranded in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. He then takes a train "across Mississippi clean" to New Orleans. From there, he goes to Houston, where "the people there who care a bit about me" buy him a silk suit, luggage and a plane ticket to Los Angeles. Upon landing in Los Angeles, he calls Norfolk, Virginia ("Tidewater four, ten-oh-nine") to tell the folks back home he made it to the "promised land." The lyric: "Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy/Taxi to the terminal zone" refers to the gospel lyric: "Swing low sweet Chariot, coming for to carry me Home" since both refer to a common destination, "The Promised Land," which in this case is California, reportedly a heaven on earth.
'Billboard' called the song a "true blue Berry rocker with plenty of get up and go," adding that "rinky piano and wailing Berry electric guitar fills all in neatly." 'Cash Box' described it as "a 'pull-out-all-the-stops' rocker that Chuck pounds out solid sales authority" and "a real mover that should head out for hit territory in no time flat." In 2021, it was listed at No. 342 on 'Rolling Stone'
Chart history
Elvis Presley version
In December 1973, Elvis Presley recorded a powerful, driving version. Presley's version of "Promised Land" was released as a single on September 27, 1974. It peaked at number 14 on the Hot 100 'Billboard' charts, and 9 on the UK Singles Chart in the fall of 1974. It was included on his 1975 album 'Promised Land'. The Presley version was used in the soundtrack of the 1997 motion picture 'Men in Black'.
Chart history
Personnel
* Elvis Presley lead vocals, harmony vocals from 1:25-1:29 and 2:09-2:14* James Burton lead guitar
* Johnny Christopher rhythm guitar
* Charlie Hodge acoustic rhythm guitar
* Norbert Putnam bass
* David Briggs piano or organ; overdubbed tambourine
* Per Eric Pete Hallin clavinet
* Ronnie Tutt drums
* Randy Cullers overdubbed cowbell
Other versions
There are numerous other versions of this song:
*In 1964 Johnny Rivers released his live album 'In Action' including this song..
*The Grateful Dead have notably, performed the song live 425 times from July 1971 through the band's last show in 1995; live performances appear on nearly 50 of the band's live albums, including the 1976 United Artists released live album 'Steal Your Face' as well as several of the band's Dick's Picks releases.
* In 1970 Freddy Weller released a version on an album of the same name. It was a Top 5 country hit in the winter of 1971.
* In 1971 Johnnie Allan released a Cajun version in the US. It was released in 1974 in the UK.
* In 1971 Dave Edmunds included it on his album 'Rockpile', released also as a single in 1972, it reached number 5 in the Australian charts.
* In 1972 the band Juicy Lucy recorded a version on their album 'Pieces'.
* In 1973 the Canadian-American rock group The Band recorded "Promised Land" for their sixth studio LP, 'Moondog Matinee'.
* In 1974 James Taylor recorded a version on his album 'Walking Man'.
* In 1977 it was recorded by country singer Billy "Crash" Craddock on his album 'Live!'.
* In 1983 Meat Loaf recorded the song for his 'Midnight at the Lost and Found' album.
* In 1984 The Black Sorrows recorded a version for their debut studio album, 'Sonola'.
* In 1984 Mike Read released a cover version but set in and near London. The song was mentioned in the documentary 'Embarrassing 80s'.
* In 2007 Geno Delafose released a zydeco version on his album 'Le Cowboy Creole'.
* In 2009 W.A.S.P. recorded a version of this song on the album 'Babylon'.
* In 2014 Harry Dean Stanton released a version on the soundtrack album for the documentary film about him, 'Partly Fiction'.
* In 2014 Jerry Lee Lewis released a version of this song on his album 'Rock & Roll Time'
Johnny Hallyday version (in French)
{{Infobox song
| name = La Terre promise
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Johnny Hallyday
| album =
| released = (France)
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Philips
| composer =
| lyricist =
| producer =
| prev_title = La Fille de l't dernier
| prev_year = 1975
| next_title = Requiem pour un fou
| next_year = 1976
| misc =
}}
The song was covered in French by Johnny Hallyday, using an adaptation of Presleys arrangement. His version (titled "La Terre promise") was released in 1975 and spent one week at no. 1 on the singles sales chart in France (from November 1 to 7, 1975).
Charts
References
Category:1964 songs
Category:1965 singles
Category:1974 singles
Category:1975 singles
Category:Chess Records singles
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:Elvis Presley songs
Category:Bill Haley songs
Category:Freddy Weller songs
Category:Grateful Dead songs
Category:Billy "Crash" Craddock songs
Category:Dave Edmunds songs
Category:Johnny Hallyday songs
Category:Songs written by Chuck Berry
Category:Works about human migration
Category:Number-one singles in France
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