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

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.