Chuck Berry remains an influential figure and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music who first began performing in 1953. Cub Koda wrote, "Of all the early breakthrough rock & roll artists, none is more important to the development of the music than Chuck Berry. He is its greatest songwriter, the main shaper of its instrumental voice, one of its greatest guitarists, and one of its greatest performers." John Lennon was more succinct: "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."
Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986. He received Kennedy Center Honors in 2000 in a "class" with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Plácido Domingo, Angela Lansbury, and Clint Eastwood. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Chuck Berry #5 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. He was also ranked 6th on Rolling Stone's Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of All Time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included three of Chuck Berry's songs (Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Rock & Roll Music), of the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll.
Chuck Berry held a special place, in terms of sound development, in the formation of, Mersey-Beat at Liverpool.
The finest exponent of Chuck Berry, guitar, sound at Liverpool during 1959 to 1963, was Vincent Tow/Ismail, who in turn passed on many of the learned skills to Lennon & McCartney, his friends and colleagues during that period--1959 to 1962/3.
Chuck Berry also influenced many of the great rock 'n' roll bands that we know today including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
Roll Over Beethoven
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna mail it to my local D.J.
Yeah and it's a jumpin' little record
I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven
I gotta hear it again today
You know my temperature's risin'The jukebox's blowin' a fuse
My heart beatin' rhythm
And my soul keep-a singing the blues
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
I got the rockin' pneumonia
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I caught the rollin' athritis
Sittin' down at a rhythm review
Roll over Beethoven
They rockin' in two by two
Well if you feel and like it
Go get your lover then reel and rock it
Roll it over then move on up, yes-a
Try for further then
Reel and rock with one another
Roll over Beethoven
And dig these rhythm and blues
Well early in the mornin'
And I'm givin' you my mornin'
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle-diddle, I'm-a play my fiddle
Ain't got nothing to loseRoll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
You know she wiggle like a glow worm
Dance like a spinnin' top
She got a crazy partner
You oughta see 'em reel an 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
Chuck Berry's song Roll Over Beethoven expresses a love for rock and roll music over classical music. The song begins with him writing a letter to his local DJ to play his favorite rhythm record that he cannot get enough of, indicating his addiction to the upbeat sound. He then talks about how his heart beats to the rhythm of the music and mentions the legendary composer Tchaikovsky, humourously suggesting that even he should hear the 'news' of the rock and roll sound.
Berry then continues to describe his symptoms like 'rocking pneumonia' and 'rollin' arthritis', indicating how the music has deeply ingrained itself into his system. He paints a picture of people dancing to the rhythm like "spin tops" and "crazy partners" with a dime to spare, indicating a strong sense of community and shared experience. The song ends with Berry imploring everyone to roll over Beethoven and embrace the rhythm and blues.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna write a little letter
I plan on composing a memo
Gonna mail it to my local DJ
I will post it to my nearest disc jockey
It's a rockin' rhythm record
The tune on this vinyl is quite lively
I want my jockey to play
I implore the DJ to air the song
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today
Please replay the piece, Beethoven must be pushed aside
You know, my temperature's risin'
I'm beginning to feel passionate
And the jukebox blows a fuse
The jukebox malfunctions due to the energetic piece
My heart's beatin' rhythm
My pulse resonates with the song
And my soul keeps on singin' the blues
This music makes me grieve and feel sad
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
Beethoven must yield to this new style that Tchaikovsky should be informed of.
I got the rockin' pneumonia,
This piece has caused me to get a rhythm-driven allegory of pneumonia
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I want to listen to more music from the same genre
I think I'm rollin' arthritis
I suspect that my dancing has caused me to have an imitation of arthritis
Sittin' down by the rhythm review
Watching a performance of this music, seated
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two
Beethoven should give way to the newer style, and can be enjoyed by couples.
Well, if you feel you like it
If you fancy this style of music
Go get your lover, then reel and rock it
Find your partner and dance to the rhythm
Roll it over and move on up just
Advance a little and keep dancing
A trifle further and reel and rock it
Dance away, a little more
Roll it over
Keep dancing
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two
The style is such that couples can dance together as Beethoven is humbled.
Well, early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin'
Let me warn you clearly this morning
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
You must not damage my favorite shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle
I am having fun playing my music despite my age
Ain't got nothin' to lose
I have nothing to lose
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
The old style of music is no longer en vogue and Beethoven must give way to incoming musicians.
You know she wiggles like a glow worm
She dances like she's electrified, just like a glow worm.
Dance like a spinnin' top
She can dance like a spinning top does
She got a crazy partner
Her dance partner is wild
Oughta see 'em reel and rock
It's worth watching them dance
Long as she got a dime the music will never stop
As long as she has even a small amount of money, the music will carry on
Roll over Beethoven
Get out of the way, Beethoven
and dig these rhythm and blues
Accept this new music style – rhythm and blues.
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Royalty Network
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack
on Little Marie (Alternate)
Yes, oh yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge, I'll pay
Which love one is calling me, I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my hearth, her Mom and my Marie
It so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee
Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know,
Surely, you have not forgot how much I love you so
If you would remember, Dear, and sometimes talk to me
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.
Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave
You did not want to see me off and promised not to grieve,
My hearth was tore apart as I looked back at my Marie
And there the peace is still remain with you in Tennessee.
I guess I should stop talking, after all you placed the call
But anyway that I can help, you know I'll help you all
Then she spoke and asked me to come back and see Marie
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.