• Published on 1963
• Author: Berry
• Track 8 on “With The Beatles“

About “Roll Over Beethoven”

“Roll Over Beethoven” was a favorite of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison even before they had chosen “The Beatles” as their name, and they continued to play it live right into their American tours of 1964. Their version of “Roll Over Beethoven” was recorded on 30 July 1963 for their second British LP, With the Beatles, and features George Harrison on vocals and guitar. In the United States, it was released 10 April 1964 as the opening track of The Beatles’ Second Album.

In 1994, the Beatles released a live version of “Roll Over Beethoven” on Live at the BBC. This live version was recorded on 28 February 1964 and broadcast on 30 March 1964 as part of a BBC series starring the Beatles called From Us To You.

This version of “Roll Over Beethoven” was used in the film Superman III directed by Richard Lester who also directed a film for the Beatles, Help!

Meaning of “Roll Over Beethoven”

The song’s lyrics convey a message of musical revolution and a changing of the guard in the music industry. It’s a call for traditional classical music (represented by Beethoven) to make way for the new and energetic rock ‘n’ roll sound.

“Roll Over Beethoven” carries a theme of musical change and the passing of the torch from the old musical styles to the new and exciting sound of rock ‘n’ roll. The Beatles’ rendition of it helped further establish them as leading figures in the rock music revolution.

Personnel

• George Harrison – double-tracked vocals, lead guitar, handclaps
• John Lennon – rhythm guitar, handclaps
• Paul McCartney – bass, handclaps
• Ringo Starr – drums, handclaps

• Published on 1964
• Author: Berry
• Track 4 on “Beatles For Sale“

About “Rock and Roll Music”

“Rock and Roll Music” is a song written and recorded (in May 1957) by Chuck Berry. It has been widely covered and is one of Berry’s most popular and enduring compositions.

The Beatles performed the song in many of their early Hamburg shows, and also played it on the BBC show Pop Go the Beatles. In late 1964, exhausted from non-stop touring and recording and short of original material, they decided to record several of their old rock and rhythm and blues favorites to fill out their LP release Beatles for Sale. Among these was a version of Berry’s tune that eventually became as well-known as the original.

The lead vocal in the Beatles’ version was performed by John Lennon. In contrast to Berry’s even-toned rendition, Lennon sang it as loudly and dynamically as his voice would permit. In the USA, it was released on the LP Beatles ’65.

The Beatles’ version of “Rock and Roll Music” was released as a single in some countries, and topped the charts in Norway.

Meaning of “Rock and Roll Music”

The lyrics of “Rock and Roll Music” celebrate the power and appeal of rock and roll music itself. The narrator expresses a deep passion for the genre, emphasizing its ability to provide joy, energy, and a sense of escape. The song’s lyrics highlight the universal and timeless nature of rock and roll, suggesting that it transcends cultural and generational boundaries.

The Beatles’ cover of “Rock and Roll Music” was part of their early repertoire, and it became a popular live performance. The band’s rendition captures their enthusiasm for rock and roll and showcases their ability to infuse their own style into a classic song.

The song is a tribute to the enduring spirit and impact of rock and roll music, and it became an iconic part of The Beatles’ catalog.

Personnel

• John Lennon – vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
• Paul McCartney – bass guitar, piano
• George Harrison – lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums
• George Martin – piano