Over Under Sideways Down

The Yardbirds

About Over Under Sideways Down

"Over Under Sideways Down" is a 1966 song by English rock group the Yardbirds. Inspired by Bill Haley and His Comets' "Rock Around the Clock", Jeff Beck plays both the lead guitar and bass guitar. The song was released as a single in May 1966, two months before the group's self-titled UK album (commonly known as Roger the Engineer and Over Under Sideways Down in the US and elsewhere). The single performed well on the record charts – it reached number 10 in the UK and number 13 in the US. "Over Under Sideways Down" was ranked number 23 in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. An instrumental titled "Jeff's Boogie" was used for the B-side. Although credited to Beck, it is based on Chuck Berry's "Guitar Boogie" (not the 1940s "Guitar Boogie" by Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith). The song was covered (as "Overundersidewaysdown") by New Zealander Alec Bathgate on his 2004 album The Indifferent Velvet Void. 


Year:
2007
2:25
111 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

(Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!)
Cars and girls are easy come by in this day and age.
Laughing, joking, dreams, weed smoking, till I've spent my wage.
When I was young, people spoke of immorality.
All the things they said were wrong are what I want to be.

(Hey!) Over, under, sideways, down,
(Hey!) I bounce a ball that's square and round.
(Hey!) Over, under, sideways, down,
(Hey!) I bounce a ball that's square and round.
When will it end? (When will it end?)
When will it end? (When will it end?)

(Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!)
I find comments 'bout my looks irrelativity.
Think I'll go and have some fun, 'cause it's all for free.
I'm not searchin' for a reason to enjoy myself.
Seems it's better done than argue with somebody else.

(Hey!) Over, under, sideways, down,
(Hey!) I bounce a ball that's square and round.
(Hey!) Over, under, sideways, down,
(Hey!) I bounce a ball that's square and round.
When will it end? (When will it end?)
When will it end? (When will it end?)

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds are an English rock band that had a string of hits in the mid 1960s, including "For Your Love", "Over Under Sideways Down" and "Heart Full of Soul". The group is notable for having started the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, all of whom were in the top five of Rolling Stone's 100 Top Guitarists list (Clapton at No. 2, Page at No. 3, and Beck at No. 5). A blues-based band that broadened its range into pop and rock, the Yardbirds had a hand in many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s, such as feedback, "fuzztone" distortion and improved amplification. Pat Pemberton, writing for Spinner, holds that the Yardbirds were "the most impressive guitar band in rock music". After the Yardb… more »

2 fans

Written by: BERT KAEMPFERT, HERBERT REHBEIN, MILT GABLER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Over Under Sideways Down
Jeff Beck's Contribution: The track highlighted Jeff Beck's innovative guitar playing style. Beck co-wrote the song and played guitar on the original recording, proving his versatility as a musician.
Influence & Impact
This song is listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll", emphasising the strong and lasting influence it has had on rock music as a whole.
Musical Style
"Over Under Sideways Down" is notable for its unique rhythm, which is said to be inspired by Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock", but performed in 5/4 time signature, which is unusual for a rock song.
The Song's Theme
The lyrics, penned by singer and bassist Chris Dreja, whimsically describe life's uncertainties and unpredictable twists just like the title suggests "Over Under Sideways Down".
Album Release
"Over Under Sideways Down" was the title track of The Yardbirds' second U.S. album, released in 1966.
Ravi Shankar Influence
Jeff Beck acknowledged that the Eastern flavoured music in the song is partly inspired by Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, reflecting the period's widespread fascination with Indian mysticism and music.
Chart Performance
The song reached No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard chart and No.13 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming one of the band's biggest hits.
Cover Versions
Many artists and bands have covered this song including, the American rock band "The Runaways" and British rock guitarist, Steve Howe.
Use in Media
The song was featured in the Mike Myers film "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and also used in an episode of the American comedy-drama show "Ed".

Discuss the Over Under Sideways Down Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Over Under Sideways Down Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23639304/The+Yardbirds/Over+Under+Sideways+Down>.

    Missing lyrics by The Yardbirds?

    Know any other songs by The Yardbirds? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Over Under Sideways Down

    1.1M
    10,014     199

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #13


    more tracks from the album

    100 Hits: 60s

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Spotlights, sirens, rifles firin' But he made it out With a _____________.
    A black eye
    B bullet in his back
    C gang of convicts
    D shank in his side

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    The Yardbirds tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!