All of the songs that appear on "Five Live Yardbirds" were written by American blues and rhythm and blues artists and several of the original recordings appeared on the American record charts. The band's early material reflects the repertoires of the early British rhythm and blues groups, such as the Rolling Stones and the Animals. Clapton biographer David Bowling described the album as "a lot of straight electric blues, but at times they come close to a rock sound." Their version of Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business", which is the album opener, is the most rock-oriented song on the album.