#afterschoolsession

Song: Roll Over Beethoven (1956)

Artist: Chuck Berry

Album: After School Session

Chuck Berry was one of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll. Roll Over Beethoven is one of my favourite Berry tracks because the clash between classical and modern gives off a vibe that is so blithe.

Although it is a definite rock and roll track, he calls for classical music to be taken over by rhythm and blues. Chuck hails from Missouri, a state which was very important in the development of blues music. 

A middle class kid, most speculation for the inspiration of Roll Over Beethoven is that his sister used the family piano to play classical music and Berry wanted to play popular music. The inspiration seems a bit disappointing to be Rolling Stone’s #97 out of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, but nonetheless, this song helped pave the way to the rock and roll movement.