The Roller

Album: Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011)
Charted: 31
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This anthemic piano ballad is the first official single by English rock band Beady Eye from their 2011 debut album, Different Gear, Still Speeding. The band was formed in 2009 by former members of Oasis, following the departure of songwriter and guitarist Noel Gallagher. Beady Eye comprises singer Liam Gallagher, guitarists Gem Archer (who plays piano on this song) and Andy Bell, plus drummer Chris Sharrock who having performed live duties for Oasis, became a full time member of the new group.
  • The song was written by Gem Archer and produced by Steve Lillywhite whose extensive CV includes work for U2, The Pogues, Travis and The Smiths. It was played for the first time on January 11, 2011 and made available digitally on iTunes on January 24, 2011.
  • The music video was premiered exclusively on Channel 4, and played for the first time on January 11, 2011. The promo was directed by Charlie Lightening (Lightening Productions) and was filmed in sub zero temperatures in Cambridgeshire in December 2010. It features the band playing in split frames whilst a female stunt motorcyclist and a couple of others ride around the walls of a "Motorcycle Wall of Death," one of only two in the UK.
  • The song harks back to the early 2000s and was written by Archer for Heathen Chemistry. In December 2000 Noel Gallagher declared in an interview: "Gem's written his first song for the band, called 'The Roller' - it's like T Rex doing 'Instant Karma.'"
  • Liam explained the song's meaning to Spin magazine: "It's a metaphor for how things are thrown at you in life, and how they aren't as bad they seem."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.