Roving Jewel

Album: Butterfly House (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was kick-started by vocalist James Skelly mistaking his brother Ian's demo lyric for "I used to call 'at' the Roving Jewel" rather than "I used to call 'her' the Roving Jewel." The misunderstanding changed James's train of thought and, within minutes, he'd come up with a totally new narrative for the song. "It's about this fella who was trying to write the ultimate piece of literature about his life," explained James to Spinner UK.
    "He goes to this place to write it but ends up going insane trying to write, so decides to give up art in the end because he realises he can't write about a life if he's not living one. It's like The Shining or something. Sometimes you just have to put whatever it is down and live your life."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.