Roll the Bones (song)

"Roll the Bones"
Vinyl album sleeve, US Release
Single by Rush
from the album Roll the Bones
A-side	Roll the Bones
B-side	None (US Release) The Pass (UK Release) Tom Sawyer (Live) (German release)
Released	February 1992
Format	Vinyl, CD
Recorded	1991
Genre	Synthrock
Length	5:30
Label	Anthem (Canada) Atlantic (US)
Writer(s)	Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson (music) Neil Peart (lyrics)
Producer	Rupert Hine, Rush
Rush singles chronology
"Dreamline" (1991) "Roll the Bones" (1992) "Face Up" (1992)

"Roll the Bones" is the title track from Rush's 1991 album of the same name. It continues Rush's rock style that began with 1989's Presto, which reduced the band's usage of keyboards and returned the emphasis to bass and electric guitar.

Style

The song follows in the vein of tracks such as "Show Don't Tell" from Presto, and helps to establish what would become Rush's musical style for the 1990s. The lyrics, written by drummer Neil Peart, reflect on taking chances in life, and urging those unsure to "roll the bones," a term used for dice. Additionally, the song has strong atheist and evolutionary themes.

"But the bottom line...is to take the chance, roll the bones, if it's a random universe and that's terrifying and it makes you neurotic and everything, never mind. You really have to take the chance or else nothing's going to happen."
- Neil Peart, "It's A Rap" interview, February 1992

The song is also notable for featuring a spoken two-part "rap" after the guitar solo. This rap is performed by bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee; his altered voice is achieved through a drastic lowering of pitch and adding various effects.

Live performance

"Roll the Bones" would be played on every Rush tour since the song's release, up to the 2007-2008 Snakes And Arrows Tour, when it was removed from the setlist.

Track listing

All music by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee and lyrics by Neil Peart.

US promo:

1. Roll the Bones - 5:30

UK 7" release:

1. Roll The Bones - 5:30
2. Show Don't Tell - 5:01

UK Picture Disc release:

1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
2. The Pass - 4:51
3. It's a Rap (Part 1: Alex Lifeson Speaks)

UK 2-Disc Limited Edition release:
Disc 1

1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
2. Anagram (For Mongo) - 3:59
3. It's a Rap (Part 2: Geddy Lee Speaks)

Disc 2

1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
2. Where's My Thing? (Part IV, "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy) - 3:49
3. Superconductor - 4:47
4. It's a Rap (Part 3: Neil Peart Speaks)

German 7" release:

1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
2. Tom Sawyer (Live) - 5:06

12" release

1. Roll the Bones - 5:30
2. Tom Sawyer (Live) - 5:06
3. Spirit of Radio (Live)

Personnel

• Geddy Lee - Synthesizer, Bass, Vocals
• Alex Lifeson - Acoustic & electric guitars, Vocals
• Neil Peart - Drums

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1991	Mainstream Rock	9