Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” Songfacts and Lyrics

“Roll Over Beethoven” is a 1956 song written by Chuck Berry and originally released as a single on Chess Records in Chicago (Cat # 1626), with “Drifting Heart” as the B-side. It was recorded at Chess Records’ studio in Chicago in April, 1956. The song featured Johnnie Johnson on piano and Willie Dixon on double bass.

The song actually originated as a playful dig at Berry’s sister. She would monopolize the family piano to play classical music, and “roll over Beethoven” was a tongue in cheek way of saying “move over so I can play”. The fact that it serves as a double-entendre, like Beethoven was “rolling” in his grave over rock n roll, helped cement Rock’s rough and tumble reputation.

The song peaked at #29 on the billboard chart, but hit #2 on the R&B chart. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it #97 on the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

That iconic opening riff was actually borrowed from guitarist Carl Hogan from Louis Jordan’s band.

The Beatles often famously covered the song, ELO also covered it, blending the song with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. The Beach Boys rather infamously “borrowed” the song’s guitar intro nearly note-for-note for their 1964 hit “Fun, Fun, Fun”. It wasn’t even the first time The Beach Boys ripped off Berry; they copied his song “Sweet Little Sixteen” nearly note-for-note on their song “Surfin’ U.S.A”, which lead to Berry getting 100% songwriting credit.

Here are the words of the song:

Well, I’ma write a little letter
I’m gonna mail it to my local DJ
Yeah, it’s a jumping little record
I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today

You know my temperature’s rising
The jukebox blowing a fuse
My heart’s beating rhythm
And my soul keep a-singing the blues

Roll over Beethoven
Tell Tchaikovsky the news

Well, if you feel and like it
Go get your lover, reel and rock it
Roll it over then move on up just
A trifle further and reel and rock with one another

Roll over Beethoven
Tell Tchaikovsky the news

Well, early in the morning I’m giving you my warning
Don’t you step on my new shiny shoes
Hey diddle diddle, I’ma play my fiddle
Ain’t got nothing to lose

Roll over Beethoven
Everybody, repeat after me
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Tell Tchaikovsky the news

Here’s Chuck Berry “Roll Over Beethoven” official Remaster