Roll Over Beethoven
(Chuck Berry)
Originally recorded by:  Chuck Berry

Well gonna write a little letter 
Gonna mail it to my local D.J. 
It's a rockin' little 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's blowin' a fuse 
My hearts 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 
I think I got it off the writer 
Sittin' down by the rhythm review 
Roll over Beethoven 
We're rockin' in two by two 

Well if you fell you like it 
Well get your lover and reel and rock it 
Roll it over and move on up 
Just jump around and reel and rock it 
Roll it over 
Roll over Beethoven 
A rockin' in two by two , oh 

Well early in the mornin' 
I'm a givin' you the warnin' 
Don't you step on my blue suede showes 
Hey little little 
Gonna play my fiddle 
Ain't got nothing to lost 
Roll over Beethoven 
And tell Tchaikovsky the news 

You know she winks like a glow worm 
Dance like a spinnin' top 
She got a crazy partner 
Oughta see 'em reel an 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 
And dig these rhythm and blues

Documentation

The most famous cover of this song was probably done by The Beatles.  It has also been covered by  Jan and Dean, Tom Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, and The Rolling Stones

Iron Maiden spoofed this on their song "Roll Over Vic Vella," which was used as the B-side to the single for "From Now to Eternity"

The Electric Light Orchestra covered this in 1973, mixing in some of Beethoven's music. It was their biggest hit at the time.

 

Rick performed this song in Mahnomen, MN on 11/6/04 and again at Konocti Harbor Resort on 11/20/04.  He also performed it at the Tucson Classic he hosted in 1999.

Footnote - background photo was taken in Mahnomen, MN on 11/6/04 by Renata Hearn during the performance of the song.