Slow My Roll

Album: Born Free (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kid Rock devised this mid-tempo track around the time when the phrase "slow your roll" was entering the popular lexicon. Typically, the phrase is used to tell someone to chill out (like a co-worker who thinks those meeting notes are critical). Rock, however, is addressing himself in this song about slowing down and taking life as it comes. It was released on his eighth album, Born Free.
  • After releasing a series of rap/rock albums in which Rock perfected his white-trash persona, it seems strange to hear him singing about "finding himself" on this song. During an interview with Billboard magazine, he was asked if the tune reflects where he now. The middle-aged Detroit rocker replied: "I've been gearing up to it with songs like 'Roll On.' I know I can't do what I've been doing the last 20 years forever, I understand that. But I think I've done a pretty good job of balancing it out. I've had my little run-ins here and there, but I haven't been to rehab. I've had my parties, I'll continue to have my fun.

    I think you've got to play at the level you're at. To sit here and try to do what I was doing at 22, I'd be out of mind. I've got to slow it down, but I didn't say 'stop my roll,' I said 'slow my roll.' I think it's important to always sing where I'm at, not try to make these songs relate to the youth. I've seen people do it and it just kind of makes me go, 'man what are they doing? That's not where they're at or who they are.

    I loved Bob Seger's last album Face the Promise, it just touched me so much. Whatever you think of the recording - I thought it was great - but just to hear him sing about where he's at in life, even not being there myself, I can relate. I've really taken a lot of direction from him, I think he's done it so gracefully."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.