The Beatles Song Of The Day: “Roll Over Beethoven”

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The Beatles Song Of The Day is “Roll Over Beethoven.” “Roll Over Beethoven” is the first song on side 2 of The Beatles second album “With The Beatles.”  The song was written by the father of rock and roll Chuck Berry. John Lennon: rhythm guitar, handclaps/ Paul McCartney: bass guitar and handclaps/ George Harrison: double-tracked vocal, lead guitar and handclaps/ Ringo Starr: drums, handclaps. The song was recorded at Abbey Road on July 30th, 1963. Producer: George Martin. Between 1957-66 The Beatles covered more Chuck Berry songs than anyone else who they covered during the concerts. John was the biggest Chuck Berry fan among the group but George Harrison does the singing duties on this cover. Not as great a version as Mr. Berry’s but pretty darn good.

Rating of “Roll Over Beethoven” 1 to 5 stars ***

  • Length of song 2:48.
  • The song was considered as a release for a single but George Martin convinced Capitol records to release “Can’t Buy Me Love” instead.
  • The song goes not appear on Rolling Stones The Beatles 100 Greatest Songs or Spignesi and Lewis’ “100 Best Beatles Songs” list. Neither list ranked covers. Wouldn’t have made the list anyway.

“Roll Over Beethoven” {Chuck Berry}

I’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
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
I got the rockin’ pneumonia,
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I think I’m rollin’ arthritis sittin’ down by the rhythm review
Roll Over Beethoven rockin’ in two by two
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
Well, early in the mornin’
I’m a givin’ you a warnin’ don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I am playin’ my fiddle, ain’t got nothin’ to lose
Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
You know she wiggles like a glow worm, 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
Roll Over Beethoven, Roll Over Beethoven, Roll Over Beethoven,
Roll Over Beethoven, Roll Over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues