Roll over Beethoven
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

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 © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP, Royalty Network
Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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.

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