Roll Of The Dice

Album: Human Touch (1992)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Even if you've been throwing snake eyes, there's always a chance your next roll will be a seven. That's the gambling metaphor Springsteen evokes in this song, where he just knows his luck will turn and better days are ahead. As in many of his songs, there's a girl involved, and their love is just a roll away.
  • Springsteen had disbanded his mighty E Street Band by this point, but he kept working with their pianist, Roy Bittan, who wrote the music to this song, with Springsteen filling in the lyrics. It was the first song Springsteen wrote with another writer.

    Bittan also co-wrote another song from the Human Touch album, "Real World."
  • Roy Bittan recorded this with Bruce in Springsteen's apartment. After completing the basic tracks, they brought in other musicians to finish the song:

    Tim Pierce - rhythm guitar
    Randy Jackson - bass
    Jeff Porcaro - drums
    Bobby King - backing vocals

    Jackson was one of the original judges on American Idol; Porcaro was in Toto.
  • Human Touch was the first album Springsteen made without the E Street Band. It was ready in 1991, but he waited until 1992 and released it along with his next album, Lucky Town, on the same day. This alienated many fans who would have preferred a double album to separate, full-price albums. Sales were underwhelming, and the subsequent tour didn't sell out as usual. "Roll Of The Dice" had a regular spot on the setlist for that tour, but popped up only occasionally after Springsteen reunited the E Street Band in 1999.
  • Springsteen performed this song on his 1992 MTV Plugged concert special (part of their acoustic Unplugged series, but Bruce insisted on plugging in), but it was cut from the broadcast because it took too much time - he played it for about 11 minutes. It was eventually released on the DVD version of the special, where we see that audience members threw fuzzy dice on stage.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.