Roll the Bones (song)

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“Roll the Bones”
“Roll the Bones” cover
Vinyl album sleeve, US Release
Single by Rush
from the 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(s) Neil Peart
Producer Rupert Hine, Rush
Rush singles chronology
"Dreamline" (1991) "Roll the Bones" (1992) "Face Up" (1992)

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 90's) and returned the emphasis to bass and electric guitar.

Contents

[edit] Style

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 1990's. 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[1]

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Track listing

All music by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee and lyrics by Neil Peart.

US release:

  1. Roll the Bones - 5:30

UK Picture Disc release:

  1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
  2. The Pass - 4:51
  3. It's a Rap (Part 1: Alex Lifeson Speaks)

UK 2-Disc Limited Edition release:
Disc 1

  1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
  2. Anagram (For Mongo) - 3:59
  3. It's a Rap (Part 2: Geddy Lee Speaks)

Disc 2

  1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
  2. Where's My Thing? (Part IV, "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy) - 3:49
  3. Superconductor - 4:47
  4. It's a Rap (Part 3: Neil Peart Speaks)

German release:

  1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
  2. Tom Sawyer (Live) - 5:06

[edit] Personnel

[edit] Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
1991 Mainstream Rock 9
v • d • e
Rush
Geddy Lee · Alex Lifeson · Neil Peart
John Rutsey · Jeff Jones
Studio albums
Extended plays
Live albums
Live concert videos
Music compilations
Music Video compilations
Concert tours
Related articles
  1. ^ "It's A Rap" Interview Single, April 1992 (http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/itsarap.htm)