Roll over Beethoven
The Beatles Lyrics


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Well, gonna write a little letter
Gonna mail it to my local DJ
It's a rockin' little record
I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven
Gotta hear it again today

You know my temperature's risin'
And the jukebox's blows a fuse
My heart's beatin' rhythm
And my soul keeps singing the blues
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news

I got a rockin' pneumonia
I need a shot of rhythm and blues (woo)
I think I got it off the writer
Sittin' down by the rhythm revue
Roll over Beethoven
We're rockin' in two by two

Well, if you feel it and like it
Well, get your lover and reel and rock it
Roll it over and move on up just
Triffle further and reel and rock it
Roll it over, roll over Beethoven
Rockin' in two by two (woo)

Well early in the morning, I'm a giving you the warning
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I'll play my fiddle
Ain't got nothing to lose
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news

You know she winks like a glow worm
Dance like a spinning top
She's got a crazy partner
Oughta see them reel and rock
Long as she's got a dime
The music will never stop

Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven




Roll over Beethoven
Dig to these rhythm and blues

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Roll Over Beethoven" by The Beatles pay tribute to the power of rock n' roll music and its ability to drive people into a frenzy. The song speaks of the singer's need for a shot of rhythm and blues, which can only be quenched by the titular Beethoven rolling over to make way for the new sound. The singer is so overwhelmed by the music that he likens his feverish excitement to that of rockin' pneumonia. He also makes reference to other classical composers like Tchaikovsky, implying that rock n' roll is the new classical music that everyone should be listening to.


Beyond its lyrical content, "Roll Over Beethoven" is also notable for its upbeat guitar riffs and catchy hooks. The song features George Harrison's electrifying guitar work, which is complemented by John Lennon's rhythm guitar and Paul McCartney's thumping bass. The Beatles originally recorded the song in 1963 for their second album "With The Beatles", but it has since become a staple of their live shows and greatest hits compilations. The song represents a key turning point in the band's career, as it marked the beginning of their transition away from simple pop tunes and towards more experimental rock sounds.


Interestingly, "Roll Over Beethoven" was actually a cover of a song by Chuck Berry, who was one of The Beatles' biggest influences. The band had been performing Berry's songs in their live shows since their early days in Liverpool, and they even named themselves after one of Berry's songs "Johnny B. Goode". Berry's original version of "Roll Over Beethoven" was released in 1956 and became a huge hit, making it one of the foundational songs of the rock n' roll genre.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, gonna write a little letter
I am going to write a letter to my local DJ


Gonna mail it to my local DJ
I will send it to my local DJ through mail


It's a rockin' little record
The record is exceptionally exciting


I want my jockey to play
I request my DJ to play the record


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Gotta hear it again today
I want to listen to it again today


You know my temperature's risin'
I am so excited that I feel feverish


And the jukebox's blows a fuse
The jukebox malfunctions due to the excitement generated by the music


My heart's beatin' rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the music in my heart


And my soul keeps singing the blues
I feel the passion and sentiments of the music deep within my soul


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


And tell Tchaikovsky the news
Even Tchaikovsky should know about this exceptionally exciting music


I got a rockin' pneumonia
I am so energetic and thrilled that it feels like I have contracted "rockin' pneumonia"


I need a shot of rhythm and blues (woo)
I want to experience the fast-paced rhythm and passionate blues of the music


I think I got it off the writer
I believe the songwriter composed the music in a way that reflects my state of mind


Sittin' down by the rhythm revue
I am sitting down and observing the captivating rhythm of the music showcase


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


We're rockin' in two by two
We are moving and dancing to the music in sync with each other


Well, if you feel it and like it
If you experience the excitement and enjoy the music


Well, get your lover and reel and rock it
Grab your significant other, and let's dance to the rhythm and rock of the music


Roll it over and move on up just
Roll the music over and continue dancing to it non-stop


Triffle further and reel and rock it
"Trifle further," meaning let's move a little bit further from our current position and continue to reel and rock to the fantastic music


Roll it over, roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Rockin' in two by two (woo)
We continue moving and dancing to the fantastic music in sync with each other


Well early in the morning, I'm a giving you the warning
I want to let you know earlier in advance, that so you can prepare yourself


Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Please do not damage or dismiss my prized blue suede shoes


Hey diddle diddle, I'll play my fiddle
I will improvise and play skillfully just like a skilled fiddler


Ain't got nothing to lose
I have nothing much to gain or to lose in this context


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


And tell Tchaikovsky the news
Even Tchaikovsky should be informed about this wonderful music


You know she winks like a glow worm
She blinks like the firefly, used as a simile to describe the girl's flirty nature


Dance like a spinning top
She dances like a spinning top with effortless grace and a contagious rhythm


She's got a crazy partner
She is together with a partner who is also absorbed by the music


Oughta see them reel and rock
Anyone would be amazed by their synchronized dance techniques and ability to immerse in the music so well


Long as she's got a dime
As long as she stays in possession of money to buy more of these passionate rhythm and blues music


The music will never stop
The music will continue non-stop as long as it's available


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Roll over Beethoven
Play the music louder than Beethoven's


Dig to these rhythm and blues
Get fully involved and absorbed in these exciting rhythms and blues of the music




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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