Forming in the wake of the early-'60s success of local favorites the Kingsmen and the Wailers (whose Etiquette label they recorded for), the Sonics combined classic Northwest-area teen band raunch with early English band grit (particularly influenced by the Kinks), relentless rhythmic drive, and unabashed '50s-style blues shouting for a combination that still makes their brand of rock & roll perhaps the raunchiest ever captured on wax.
Lead singer Gerry Roslie was no less than a white Little Richard, whose harrowing soul-screams were startling even to the Northwest teen audience, who liked their music powerful and driving with little regard to commercial subtleties. With hit after hit on the local charts (and influencing every local band that ever took the stage), the band inexplicably was never able to break out nationally, leaving its sound largely undiluted for mass consumption. Breaking up between 1966 and 1968 (after one ill-fated album attempt to water down their style for national attention), the Sonics continue today to be revered by '60s collectors the world over for their unique brand of rock & roll raunch.
In 2007, The Sonics reunited again, this time for the Cavestomp garage rock festival in Brooklyn (November 2-4, 2007). The line up featured original members Gerry Roslie on vocals/keyboards, Larry Parypa on guitar and Rob Lind on tenor sax; with Ricky Lynn Johnson (of The Wailers) on drums and Don Wilhelm (of The Daily Flash) on bass and vocals.
In 2008, The Sonics recorded a live session for Mark Lamarr's BBC Radio 2 show God's Jukebox on March 22. They played their first ever shows in London on Friday March 21 and Sunday March 23.
Since then, they have played the Primavera Festival in Barcelona, followed by Bilbao, then Belgium, Norway, and the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria in the Basque Country.
Their first show in their home region since their last Seattle reunion in 1972 was on Halloween 31 October 2008 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, where they were introduced and joined onstage for a couple numbers by Steven Van Zandt. Kent Morrill (front man of the Wailers) made a surprise appearance to help sing his signature song "Dirty Robber". Bob Bennett was also present to sit in on drums albeit only for a few songs and only while Ricky Lynn Johnson played in unison.
Roll Over Beethoven
The Sonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're gonna write a little letter, gotta mail it to my local DJ
Yes its rockin' little record I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today.
You know my temperature's rising and the jukebox blows a fuse
My heart's beatin' rhythm and my soul keeps a-singin' the blues
I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues, ooo
I caught the rollin' arthritis sittin' down at the rhythm reviews
Roll over Beethoven, they're rockin' in two by two.
Well if you feel it like it, go get your lover
Then reel and rock it, roll it over
Then move on up just a trifle further
Then reel and rock it, roll it over
Roll over Beethoven, they're rockin' in two by two, ooo.
Well early in the morning I'm giving you the warning, don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle-diddle, I'm a-playin' my fiddle, ain't got nothing to lose
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.
You know she wiggles like a glow worm, dance like a spinning top
She's got a crazy partner, you ought to see them 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.
The Sonics's song "Roll Over Beethoven" is a vibrant and energetic tribute to the power of rock and roll music. At its core, the lyrics of the song speak to the desire of the singer to hear his favorite music played on the radio. The opening verse describes the singer's intention to write a letter to his local DJ requesting that he plays a "rockin' little record" that he wants to hear. The second verse takes on a more emotional quality, with the singer's heart beating in rhythm to the music and his soul filled with bluesy melodies. The chorus urges Beethoven to "roll over" and to pass along the news to Tchaikovsky that rock and roll music is taking over the airwaves.
The final verses of the song describe the joy of dancing and moving to the music with a partner. The singer urges his lover to join him on the dance floor, and the music is described as an unstoppable force that will continue to play as long as there is money to be spent. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, as if to emphasize the unstoppable power of rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
We're gonna write a little letter, gotta mail it to my local DJ
I am planning to write a short letter to my local radio DJ, requesting a certain rock song to be played.
Yes its rockin' little record I want my jockey to play
I want the DJ to play a dynamic rock song that I am fond of.
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today.
The song I am requesting is so captivating that I must listen to it again today.
You know my temperature's rising and the jukebox blows a fuse
I am filled with energy and enthusiasm, to a point where my excitement seems to affect the jukebox adversely.
My heart's beatin' rhythm and my soul keeps a-singin' the blues
I am emotionally overwhelmed and my whole being resonates with the rhythm of the music.
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.
This type of lively music is gaining popularity and it's time for even classical composers like Tchaikovsky to take notice.
I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues, ooo
I am completely obsessed with the infectious rhythm and blues music and can't get enough of it.
I caught the rollin' arthritis sittin' down at the rhythm reviews
The rhythm and blues music is so exciting and full of movement that it even affects my joints and makes them feel loose and agile.
Roll over Beethoven, they're rockin' in two by two.
The music is so enthralling that even the shyest people can't help but get out of their seats and dance.
Well, if you feel it like it, go get your lover
If you're feeling the beat, go find your partner and share the experience together.
Then reel and rock it, roll it over
Dance to the rocking rhythm and let yourself be carried away.
Then move on up just a trifle further
As the music progresses, don't be afraid to move closer to the artists and immerse yourself in the sound.
Roll over Beethoven, they're rockin' in two by two, ooo.
The crowd is enjoying the music so much that they are dancing in pairs and the excitement is palpable.
Well early in the morning I'm giving you the warning, don't you step on my blue suede shoes
I'm getting the party started early today, so make sure not to ruin the fun by stepping on my special blue suede shoes.
Hey diddle-diddle, I'm a-playin' my fiddle, ain't got nothing to lose
I'm playing the fiddle and enjoying myself so much that I'm not worried about anything else.
Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.
Even classical musicians like Tchaikovsky need to know that the new rock and roll music is taking over the world.
You know she wiggles like a glow worm, dance like a spinning top
The woman is dancing with such energy and grace that she looks like a glowing worm and a spinning top combined.
She's got a crazy partner, you ought to see them reel and rock
Her partner is also an amazing dancer and the two of them together make a dynamic duo that you have to see to believe.
Long as she got a dime the music will never stop.
As long as she has money to play the jukebox, the music and dancing will never end.
Roll over Beethoven, roll over Beethoven
The fantastic music is so enjoyable that I can't get enough of it.
Roll over Beethoven, roll over Beethoven
I want the rock and roll music to keep playing and take over the world of music.
Roll over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues.
End the music session with this exhilarating rhythm and blues and bask in its amazing beat and rhythm.
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.