You Never Can Tell

Chuck Berry

About You Never Can Tell

"You Never Can Tell", also known as "C'est La Vie" or "Teenage Wedding", is a song written by Chuck Berry. It was composed in the early 1960s while Berry was in federal prison for violating the Mann Act. Released in 1964 on the album St. Louis to Liverpool and the follow-up single to Berry's final Top Ten hit of the 1960s: "No Particular Place to Go", "You Never Can Tell" reached number 14, becoming Berry's final Top 40 hit until "My Ding-a-Ling", a number 1 in October 1972. A 1977 Top Ten C&W hit for Emmylou Harris, the song has also been recorded or performed by Chely Wright, John Prine, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Jerry Garcia Band, Bruce Springsteen, The Mavericks, and Bob Seger.  


Year:
2011
2:40
#1

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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

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Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958), Chuck Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music. more »

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Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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10 facts about this song

Artist Oribgin
"You Never Can Tell," also known as "C’est la Vie" or "Teenage Wedding," is a rock n' roll song by legendary musician Chuck Berry that was first released in 1964. John Prine, another respected musician, covered the song during his career.
Songwriting
The song was written by Chuck Berry while he was in prison, serving a 20-month sentence due to issues related to the Mann Act.
Album Release
"You Never Can Tell" was originally released on the Chuck Berry album "St. Louis to Liverpool" in November 1964.
Chart Performance
The song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart, making it one of Berry's more successful tracks.
Film Appearance
It gained increased popularity when it was featured in the famous dance scene with Uma Thurman and John Travolta in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" in 1994.
John Prine's Cover
John Prine, an American country folk singer-songwriter, included his version of "You Never Can Tell" on his 1999 album "In Spite of Ourselves".
Unique Style
Prine's rendition of the song is appreciated for its mixture of country and rockabilly vibe, demonstrating his unique musical styling.
Storytelling Aspect
The song is representative of Chuck Berry's skill at storytelling through music, as it tells the interesting tale of a couple getting married at a young age and living a happy life together.
Cultural Influence
The song has been covered by a number of other artists and bands over the years, demonstrating its cultural significance and enduring popularity in the music industry. Some known covers include versions by Emmylou Harris and Bruce Springsteen.
Grammy Hall of Fame
Chuck Berry’s original version of “You Never Can Tell” has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1964

    Billboard #14


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