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

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.