Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Roll Over Beethoven
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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," The Byrds express their love for rock and roll by writing a letter to their local DJ and requesting a "rockin' rhythm record." They feel a strong connection to the music and can't get enough of it, as evidenced by their phrase "Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today." The band members are clearly passionate about the genre, as they sing about the physical effects it has on them. They describe their body's reaction to the music with phrases such as "my temperature's risin'," "my heart's beatin' rhythm," and "I got the rockin' pneumonia."
The Byrds also reference the historical importance of rock and roll in the song. By telling Beethoven to roll over and passing the news on to Tchaikovsky, they are declaring that rock and roll has arrived and is here to stay. The line "Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news" is a nod to Chuck Berry's original song, which contained the same phrase. Additionally, throughout the song, The Byrds make several references to other rock and roll songs and performers. They quote Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" and refer to the "rhythm review," a term used to describe the concerts of some of the genre's biggest names.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna write a little letter,
I am going to write a small letter
Gonna mail it to my local DJ.
I am going to send it to my nearby disc jockey
It's a rockin' rhythm record
It's a lively and exciting musical record
I want my jockey to play.
I want my DJ to play it
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today.
Play it again today, Beethoven needs to make way
You know, my temperature's risin'
I'm really getting into it
And the jukebox blows a fuse.
The jukebox can't handle the excitement
My heart's beatin' rhythm
My heart is beating to the rhythm
And my soul keeps on singin' the blues.
My innermost feelings are being expressed through music
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.
Beethoven needs to make way for this new kind of music
I got the rockin' pneumonia,
I am really into this energetic music
I need a shot of rhythm and blues.
I am craving this type of music
I think I'm rollin' arthritis
I'm feeling so good that I might think I have a medical condition
Sittin' down by the rhythm review.
I am experiencing this lively music firsthand
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two.
Beethoven needs to move aside for this two-step style of rocking out
Well, if you feel you like it
If you're enjoying this music
Go get your lover, then reel and rock it.
Grab your partner and dance to this music
Roll it over and move on up just
Keep the music going and move to the beat
A trifle further and reel and rock it, roll it over,
Move just a little more and dance to the beat
Roll over Beethoven rockin' in two by two.
Beethoven needs to make way for this lively music
Well, early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin'
I'm warning you now, early in the morning
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes.
Don't ruin or harm my cool shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle,
I'm fiddling around and having fun
Ain't got nothin' to lose.
I have nothing to lose by enjoying this music
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.
This new music is taking over, even Tchaikovsky needs to know
You know she wiggles like a glow worm,
Her dancing is comparable to that of a worm glowing at night
Dance like a spinnin' top.
She is spinning and dancing around like a top
She got a crazy partner,
She is dancing with a wild partner
Oughta see 'em reel and rock.
You need to see them dance to this music
Long as she got a dime the music will never stop.
As long as she has money, the music will keep playing
Roll over Beethoven,
This music is taking over
Roll over Beethoven,
The old music needs to move aside
Roll over Beethoven,
The new music is taking over completely now
Roll over Beethoven,
This music is the future
Roll over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues
This is new exciting music that everyone needs to enjoy
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noel Salisbury, from England
on John Riley
I always have my eyes brimming with tears , listening to this masterpiece. Thankyou DC & RMg & I hope you two make music together again- "Everybody knows Music is Love" ay, David