Roll Over Beethoven
George Harrison and Eric Clapton Lyrics
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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
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
In Roll Over Beethoven, George Harrison expresses his love for rock and roll by addressing two of the most prominent composers in history - Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. He plans to write a letter to his local DJ requesting him to play a rock and roll song, and hence the opening line, "I'm gonna write a little letter, gonna mail it to my local DJ." The first verse is all about the way rock and roll makes him feel, his body's response to the music, and how he wants more of it. The repetition of the line, "Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today," conveys his desire to hear rock and roll music instead of classical pieces.
The second verse confirms that Harrison is in the grip of the rock and roll fever, comparing his symptoms to conditions associated with aging. "I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues, I think I'm rollin' arthritis," sums up his need for more rock and roll music. He then invites his listeners to join in and dance to the rhythm and blues music by rephrasing the nursery rhyme of Hey Diddle Diddle.
Harrison was a huge Elvis Presley fan, and Presley's hit, "Blue Suede Shoes," inspired the "Don't step on my blue suede shoes" line. The third and final verse of the song is more descriptive and talks about Harrison's love interest who dances to the rhythm and blues music like a "spinning top." He invites others to dance too, and as long as they have the money to pay, their party will continue without any interruption.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna write a little letter,
I plan to compose a brief message
Gonna mail it to my local DJ
I shall send it to the disk jockey nearby
It's a rockin' rhythm record
It is an exciting musical album
I want my jockey to play
I would like the DJ to play it
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today
I must listen to it again soon, like right now
You know, my temperature's risin'
I feel an increase in temperature in my body
And the jukebox blows a fuse
The jukebox malfunctions
My heart's beatin' rhythm
My heart throbs to the beat
And my soul keeps on singin' the blues
I feel sad and melancholic inside
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
Please inform Beethoven to give way and let the rhythm and blues music take over. Also, tell Tchaikovsky about this development.
I got the rockin' pneumonia,
I have a disease of dancing to rock music
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I require a dose of exciting and soulful music
I think I'm rollin' arthritis
It seems like I'm experiencing a chronic joint inflammation
Sittin' down by the rhythm review
I am resting and relaxing by listening to music
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two
Let the excitement escalate with friends or couples dancing together
Well, if you feel you like it
If you enjoy it
Go get your lover, then reel and rock it
Retrieve your partner and dance enthusiastically together
Roll it over and move on up just a trifle further and reel and rock it,
Keep dancing as if there's no tomorrow
Roll it over,
Dance like crazy
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two
Let's groove and rock side by side or together in pairs
Well, early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin'
I'm warning you early in the morning
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Don't ruin my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle,
I'm playing my fiddle instrument cheerfully
Ain't got nothin' to lose
I have nothing of value to lose
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news
Play some rock music now and let Tchaikovsky know what's going on
You know she wiggles like a glow worm,
She dances in a wriggling motion like a glow worm
Dance like a spinnin' top
She dances like a spinning top
She got a crazy partner,
Her partner is insane and jumps around in the dance floor
Oughta see 'em reel and rock
You should watch them dance and rock together
Long as she got a dime the music will never stop
As long as she has money, she'll continue to groove and dance without stopping
Roll over Beethoven,
Roll with it, Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven,
Rock it to the rhythm of blues
Roll over Beethoven,
Move over, Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven,
Let's bring in some exciting music
Roll over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues
Listen to the amazing rhythm and blues, Beethoven, and enjoy the groove
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind