Although he claims he can’t dance, his ‘Johnny B. Goode’ routine ignites the crowd with excitement.

“Johnny B. Goode” is a timeless rock and roll anthem written and performed by the legendary Chuck Berry. Released in 1958, it quickly climbed to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song narrates the story of a young Louisiana boy with dreams of becoming a rock and roll sensation—a narrative echoed in Laine Hardy’s performance on American Idol.

Chuck Berry, a rock and roll pioneer, earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, while “Johnny B. Goode” was honored in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Performing such an iconic song is often seen as risky, as comparisons to the original can be unfavorable. However, Laine manages to pull it off brilliantly.

Although Laine may not move like Chuck Berry—an admittedly difficult feat—his rendition captivates the American Idol audience. The judges, particularly Katy Perry, are thoroughly impressed, leading to a standing ovation from the crowd and nods of approval from all three judges.

Despite the challenges of living up to such a legendary song, Laine’s performance proves to be a crowd-pleaser. Watch the full video below, and please share your thoughts with us in the Facebook comments!