“Big Boys” was the first single released from Chuck Berry’s twentieth studio album, Chuck.
The song features guest performances by Tom Morello and Nathaniel Rateliff.
[Verse 1]
When I was just a little boy like you
I wanted to do things the big boys do
Wherever they went you knew they wouldn't let me go
And I got suspicious and I wanted to know
I was bright in school but my future looked dim
'Cause the big boys wouldn't let me party with them
[Chorus]
Yes, yes
I didn't cry
Yes, yes
And you know why
Yes, yes
I knew when and what
Yes, yes
No ifs, ands, or buts
I was looking for joy
Yes, yes, yes, yes
When I was little bitty boy
[Verse 2]
All of the big girls with their to
When I ask 'em what's happening, nobody knew
But when I found out where, what, when, and why
I didn't let a single week pass by
Till the school dance when I first met you
And I learned to party like the big boys do
[Chorus]
Yes, yes
I didn't cry
Yes, yes
And you know why
Yes, yes
I knew when and what
Yes, yes
No ifs, ands, or buts
I was looking for joy
Yes, yes, yes, yes
When I was little bitty boy
[Verse 3]
If I would have known what makes a world go 'round
I would have known what goes up must come down
If you love me like I love you
Mademoiselle, je vous aime, voulez-vous?
The girls want to stay and the boys want to play
So let's a-rock and roll till the break of day
[Chorus]
Yes, yes
I didn't cry
Yes, yes
And you know why
Yes, yes
I knew when and what
Yes, yes
No ifs, ands, or buts
I was looking for joy
Yes, yes, yes, yes
When I was little bitty boy
Big Boys was written by Chuck Berry.
Big Boys was produced by Chuck Berry.
Chuck Berry released Big Boys on Wed Mar 22 2017.
It’s not the last song he recorded, but it was released on his final album.