Meaning of Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry

Is it possible to put on a par the works of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry or The Beatles and the immortal creations of classical composers? Surely many readers of Blimey will answer this question in the affirmative. For music lovers of the twenty-first century, the pioneers of rock and roll are legends who forever wrote their names into the history of music.

But in the last century, such comparisons did not seem appropriate. The older generation considered rock a passing hobby of young people, and the latter, in turn, flatly refused to share the musical preferences of their parents. The anthem of teenagers for many years was the song “Roll Over Beethoven”.

Story

The lyrics and melody were composed by Chuck Berry. In his autobiography, he recalled that the idea was born to him thanks to his sister Lucy. She diligently studied music and kept Chuck away from the piano, spending hours learning the works of the great composers of the past.

The lyrics of the song say that the younger generation needs other, more groovy and fun rhythms. The author is not opposed to rock and roll replacing the classics. And let this news make Beethoven and Tchaikovsky roll over in their graves.

Roll Over Beethoven/Drifting Heart was released on Chess Records in May 1956. The track peaked at number seven on the Billboard R&B chart and peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Watch the music video filmed at the musician’s performance at the Beat-Club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ykCYwhfdMs

Cover versions

The Beatles were fans of Chuck Berry. They recorded his songs more often than the works of any other musician. Until 1961 their version of “Roll Over Beethoven” was sung by John Lennon and later by George Harrison. It was his vocals that sound on the version of the song included in the album “With the Beatles”, which was released in July 1963.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4-16zxVMw0

The Electric Light Orchestra recorded “Roll Over Beethoven” in 1973. Seven- and eight-minute versions of the track were included on the UK and US editions of ELO 2. A shortened version was released as a single.

Interesting Facts

The guitar solo at the beginning of the song is very similar to the riff from “Johnny B. Goode”.
The composition is included on the soundtrack of the film Rock, Rock, Rock (1956).
The song is included in the famous top 500 greatest tracks of all time according to Rolling Stone.
“Roll Over Beethoven” was one of fifty records selected by the Library of Congress for the National Recording Registry.

Roll Over Beethoven lyrics
Chuck BerryRoll Over Beethoven lyrics
Chuck BerryI’m gonna write a little letter
Gonna mail it to my local DJ
It’s a rockin’ rhythm record
I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven
I gotta hear it again today
And send it to the local DJ
This is a cool little record.
I want the DJ to play it
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
Today I’ll listen to it again You know, my temperature’s risin’
And the jukebox blows a fuse
My heart’s beatin’ rhythm
And my soul keeps on singin’ the blues
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
And the jukebox shorted out
My heart beats a rhythm
And my soul keeps on singing the blues
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
And tell the news to Tchaikovsky I got the rockin’ pneumonia
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I think I’m rollin’ arthritis
Sittin’ down by the rhythm revue
Roll over Beethoven
Rockin’ in two by two
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I think I have rock ‘n’ roll arthritis
At endless concerts
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
We rock together Well, if you feel you like it
Go get your lover, then reel and rock it
Roll it over and move on up just
A trifle further and reel and rock it,
Roll it over
Roll over Beethoven
Rockin’ in two by two
Grab your darling and rock out
Spin around tirelessly without ceasing
Just a little more, don’t stop
rock out
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
We rock together Well, early in the mornin’2 I’m a-givin’ you a warnin’
Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes3
Hey diddle diddle4, I am playin’ my fiddle,
Ain’t got nothin’ to lose
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
Don’t step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I play the violin
And I have nothing to lose
Roll over in your grave
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
Dance like a spinnin’ top
She got a crazy partner
Oughta see ’em reel and rock
Long as she got a dime
The music will never stop
Spinning in the dance like a top
She has a violent partner
Let’s see how they light up
And as long as she has at least a coin,
The music won’t stop Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
And dig these rhythm and blues
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
Roll over in your grave, Beethoven
And love rhythm and blues