From 1959-not as well-known as his other songs, this is curious one: odd chorus structure, Berry is restrained with his guitar letting side man Johnnie Johnson piano shine. Thematically curious as well-the narrator is defending himself against society's nagging about young people. I am an upstanding young man, he proclaims. Yet, there is a bit of wistfulness about his good-guy past. And now, "almost grown" -married, with a job, got a car, settled down-"now, I really have a ball" seems both lascivious and sarcastic.
Fun fact: the chorus is sung by Harvey and The New Moonglows including a 20 year old Marvin Gaye.
(Wow wow) You know I'm almost grown (wow wow)
Yeah 'n' I'm doin' all right in school
They ain't said I broke no rule
I ain't never been in Dutch
I don't browse around too much
Don't bother me, leave me alone
Anyway I'm almost grown
I don't run around with no mob
Got myself a little job
I'm gonna buy me a little car
Drive my girl in the park
Don't bother just leave us alone
Anyway we're almost grown
Got my eye on a little girl
Ah, she's really out of this world
When I take her to the dance
She's got to talk about romance
Don't bother just leave us alone
Anyway we're almost grown
You know I'm still livin' in town
But I done married and settled down
Now I really have a ball
So I don't browse around at all
Don't bother just leave us alone
Anyway we're almost grown
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