The Beatles – “Roll Over Beethoven” Live
The Music Will Never Stop!
“Roll Over Beethoven” was written and originally recorded by Chuck Berry. It was released on May 1956 under Chess Records. If you noticed, the guitar solo at the opening of the track is similar to Berry’s most popular hit which is “Johnny B. Goode”.
- Peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard R&B chart
- Number 97 on the “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” by The Rolling Stone magazine
The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to replace classical music.
This has long been a favorite song of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. It was released on November 22, 1963 for The Beatles’ second studio album “With The Beatles.” Their version peaked at number 68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also ranked at number 30 on Cashbox.
Today, Roll Over Beethoven is something of a curiosity; for many young listeners, the music of Berry and The Beatles is as far removed in time as the great classical composers. At its time of writing, however, the song neatly summarised the ‘us and them’ attitude of teenagers towards their parents’ music.
I totally dig these rhythm and blues!
