Roll Over Beethoven
Beatles · Anthology 1
Gonna mail it to my local deejay
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 rising
And the jukebox blows a fuse
My heart's beating rhythm and my soul keeps a-singin the blues
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
I've got a rockin pneumonia
I need a shot of rhythm and blues
I think I caught arthritis sitting down by the rhythm revue
Roll over Beethoven
Rockin in two by two
Well if you're feelin like it
Get your lover and 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-giving you the warning
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey diddle diddle I'll play my fiddle
Ain't got nothin to lose
Roll over Beethoven
And tell Tchaikovsky the news
You know she winks like a glow-worm
Dances like a spinning top
She's got a crazy partner
Oughta see him reel and rock
As long as he got a dime
The music will never stop
Well roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Picture these rhythm and blues
About Roll Over Beethoven
"Roll Over Beethoven" stands as a pivotal moment in The Beatles' evolution, marking their decisive shift from British Invasion pop to complex American rock and jazz influences. Recorded in 1964, the track features a driving, syncopated rhythm and a bold, extended solo by George Harrison, showcasing the band's growing technical proficiency and creative ambition. The song's title references the famous 1936 anti-intellectual speech by Beethoven, a metaphor The Beatles used to signal their rejection of traditional British musical norms in favor of a more progressive, global sound. Released on the *Anthology 1* compilation, the recording captures the energy of their early studio experimentation. While often associated with their 1964 era, the song's enduring legacy lies in its demonstration of The Beatles' willingness to challenge conventions and embrace new sonic textures. It remains a defining track that illustrates how the group transformed from a teen idol act into serious musicians capable of delivering sophisticated compositions that would influence generations of rock artists worldwide.