Beethoven (2011) by Germán Montalvo.Fundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla
"Roll over, Beethoven, and dig these rhythm and blues!" sang Chuck Berry in 1956. Berry was ushering in a new era, but it wasn't exactly "out with the old" - the new age of rock and pop carried the influence of Beethoven along with it.
Scroll on to discover 4 iconic nods to Beethoven in pop music, from the Beatles to Alicia Keys.
The Beatles (1964-02) by John LeongardLIFE Photo Collection
1. The Beat-hovens
The Beatles seemed to initially take Chuck's advice to heart. In 1963, they covered 'Roll Over Beethoven', channelling those rhythm and blues. But, six years later, on the seminal album Abbey Road, they took the opposite approach.
John Lennon adopted elements of the 'Moonlight sonata' for the track 'Because'. Legend has it he heard Yoko Ono playing the Beethoven piece on the piano and asked her to reverse the chords, which then became the progression for the Beatles song.
2. Billy and Beethoven
Billy Joel was a king of the keys, and he proved this by cleverly adapting Beethoven's Pathétique sonata for his song 'This Night'. He even gave Ludwig a writing credit on the album notes.
Rolling Stone magazine spread, Alicia Keys, 2001 (2001) by Gail AndersonOriginal Source: Gail Anderson, 2008 AIGA Medalist
3. Beethoven in the Big Apple
Speaking of 'keys', New York legend Alicia Keys made her name through innovative combinations of classical piano and hip-hop. 'Harlem's Nocturne', the opening track on her definitive record The Diary of Alicia Keys, adapts Beethoven's 'Moonlight sonata'.
Nas, 2018
4. Classic samples
Nas is responsible for the 1994 album Illmatic, a contender for the title of history's best rap record. A tough act to follow, but Nas is always an innovator.
On 2002's 'I Can', a moving and empowering track which Nas dedicated to his deceased mother, Beethoven's 'Für Elise' is sampled to great effect. As Nas repeats at the song's fade-out: "Save the music, y'all".
LIFE Photo Collection
