Roll the Bones (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Roll the Bones


Cover size =
Border =
Caption = Vinyl album sleeve, US Release
Artist = Rush
Album = Roll the Bones
A-side = Roll the Bones
B-side = None (US Release)
The Pass (UK Release)
Tom Sawyer (Live) (German release)
Released = 1992
Format = Vinyl, CD
Recorded = 1991
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 5:30
Label = Anthem (Canada)
Atlantic (US)
Writer = Neil Peart
Producer = Rupert Hine, Rush
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "Dreamline" (1991)
This single = "Roll the Bones" (1992)
Next single = "Face Up" (1992)
Misc =

"Roll the Bones" is the title track from Rush's 1991 album of the same name. It continues Rush's alternative style that began with 1989's "Presto", which reduced the band's usage of keyboards (though they were still used in this, and other tracks from the '90s) and returned the emphasis to bass and electric guitar.

tyle

The song follows in the vein of tracks such as "Show Don't Tell" from "Presto", and helps to establish what would become Rush's musical style for the 1990s. The lyrics, written by drummer Neil Peart, reflect on taking chances in life, and urging those unsure to "roll the bones," a term used for dice.

"But the bottom line...is to take the chance, roll the bones, if it's a random universe and that's terrifying and it makes you neurotic and everything, never mind. you really have to take the chance or else nothing's going to happen."
- Neil Peart, "It's A Rap" interview, April 1992 ["It's A Rap" Interview Single, April 1992 (http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/itsarap.htm)]

The song is also notable for featuring a spoken two-part "rap" after the guitar solo. This rap is performed by bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee; his altered voice is achieved through a drastic lowering of pitch and adding various effects.

Live performance

Roll the Bones would be played on every Rush tour since the song's release, up to the 2007-2008 Snakes And Arrows Tour, where it was removed from the setlist. Another song from the "Roll The Bones" album, "Ghost of a Chance," appears on the setlist of the 2008 leg of the tour and "Dreamline," also from "Roll the Bones", has appeared on both legs.

=Track listing Music by Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, and Geddy Lee. Lyrics by Neil Peart.

US release:
# Roll the Bones - 5:30

UK Picture Disc release:
# Roll the Bones - 5:30
# The Pass - 4:51
# It's a Rap (Part 1: Alex Lifeson Speaks)

UK 2-Disc Limited Edition release:
Disc 1
# Roll the Bones - 5:30
# Anagram (For Mongo) - 3:59
# It's a Rap (Part 2: Geddy Lee Speaks)Disc 2
# Roll the Bones - 5:30
# Where's My Thing? (Part IV, "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy) - 3:49
# Superconductor - 4:47
# It's a Rap (Part 3: Neil Peart Speaks)

German release:
# Roll the Bones - 5:30
# Tom Sawyer (Live) - 5:06

Personnel

*Geddy Lee - Synthesizer, Bass, Vocals
*Alex Lifeson - Acoustic & electric guitars, Vocals
*Neil Peart - Drums

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

References