Roll the Bones (song)
"Roll the Bones" | ||||
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Single by Rush | ||||
from the album Roll the Bones | ||||
B-side |
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Released | February 1992 (UK)[1] | |||
Recorded | 1991 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:30 | |||
Label | ||||
Composer(s) | ||||
Lyricist(s) | Neil Peart | |||
Producer(s) |
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Rush singles chronology | ||||
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"Roll the Bones" is a song by the Canadian rock band Rush. It was released as the second single from their 1991 album of the same name.
Background
The music of "Roll the Bones" was written by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, and its lyrics by Neil Peart. The lyrics reflect on taking chances in life, and urging those unsure to "roll the bones," a term used for throwing 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, February 1992[2]
As a "lyrical experiment", Peart wrote a "
Live performance
"Roll the Bones" would be played on every Rush tour since the song's release, up to the 2007-2008
Track listing
All music by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee and lyrics by Neil Peart.
US promo:
- Roll the Bones – 5:30
UK 7" release:
- Roll The Bones – 5:30
- Show Don't Tell – 5:01
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 7" release:
- Roll the Bones – 5:30
- Tom Sawyer (Live) – 5:06
12" release
- Roll the Bones – 5:30
- Tom Sawyer (Live) – 5:06
- Spirit of Radio (Live)
Personnel
- Geddy Lee – synthesizer, bass guitar, lead vocals, "rapper"
- Alex Lifeson – guitars, backing vocals
- Neil Peart – drums
Charts
Chart (1991–1992) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] | 25 |
49 | |
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[8] | 9 |
See also
- List of Rush songs
References
- ^ "Rush singles".
- ^ ""It's A Rap" interview". 2112.net. February 1992.
- ^ a b c "Roll The Bones by Rush". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ "14 Things You Might Not Know About Rush's Roll the Bones".
- ^ "Les Claypool, Tom Morello & More Appear In Rush R40 Video". JamBase. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1696." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Rush Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2023.