Rolling is like a dance, you know? It’s that easy sway, that smooth motion that just keeps going. Picture a field, with tall grasses swaying in the wind, moving like they’re dancing to some secret song. Or waves at the beach, rolling in, one after the other, never stopping. It’s like life, always moving forward, never standing still.
Rolling isn’t just a physical motion; it’s also a vibe, a rhythm, and it resonates perfectly with the world of rock and roll. Think about the electric energy of a great guitar riff or the pounding beat of drums—it’s like the heartbeat of rock and roll, propelling you forward.
In this playlist, we’ve complied a list of 12 songs about rolling.
Contents
- 12 Songs About Rolling
- 1. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
- 2. “Roll With It” by Oasis
- 3. “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford & Sons
- 4. “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan
- 5. “Rolling Hills” by Emmylou Harris
- 6. “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” by Limp Bizkit
- 7. “Rolling Stone Blues” by The Rolling Stones
- 8. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations
- 9. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- 10. “Roll With the Changes” by REO Speedwagon
- 11. “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” by The Rolling Stones
- 12. “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” by AC/DC
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
- Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms
12 Songs About Rolling
1. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele is a song packed with emotion about a breakup. It digs into the feelings of hurt, anger, and strength that come after a relationship falls apart.
Right at the start, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of intense emotions, comparing them to a fire starting in the heart. This sets the passionate tone for the whole song.
Adele talks about the marks left behind by the relationship—not just physical scars, but emotional ones too. Lines like “The scars of your love remind me of us” and “They keep me thinking that we almost had it all” show the mix of sweet memories and the pain of what’s gone.
The chorus is really strong, with a haunting melody. It’s all about resilience and feeling powerful. The line “We could’ve had it all” talks about the missed chances in the relationship, filled with regret and a sense of loss.
One of the most powerful lines is “You had my heart inside of your hand, but you played it with a beating.” It shows how the partner mishandled the singer’s trust and love, causing a lot of pain.
2. “Roll With It” by Oasis
The song “Roll With It” by Oasis is all about staying strong and being yourself when things get tough. The lyrics encourage us to face challenges head-on, take our time, and not let anything or anyone get in our way. It’s about dealing with life’s tough moments while staying true to who you are.
The song keeps repeating “You gotta roll with it, you gotta take your time,” highlighting the importance of adapting to whatever life throws at you and not rushing through things. It’s a reminder to be patient and persistent because overcoming obstacles takes time.
The verses talk about being genuine and expressing yourself. Lines like “You wanna be who you’d be if you’re coming with me” show a commitment to staying true to yourself and not letting society dictate who you should be. This vibe matches the rebellious spirit of the Britpop era when bands like Oasis were pushing back against mainstream expectations.
3. “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford & Sons
The song “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford & Sons talks about exploring yourself, dealing with inner struggles, and finding redemption.
The lyrics start by asking someone to explore together: “Roll away your stone, I’ll roll away mine, Together we can see what we will find.” It feels like they’re worried about what they might discover inside themselves, hinting at a fear of facing the unknown.
The song mentions feeling empty inside, like there’s a “hole within the fragile substance of my soul.” Trying to fill this emptiness with surface-level things has affected the narrator negatively, making them see the world in a gloomy way.
Even though they admit to making mistakes and causing damage, there’s a bit of hope in the idea of grace and redemption. It suggests that, despite the wrongs, there’s still a chance for a fresh start and positive change.
4. “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan
“Like a Rolling Stone” delves deep into feelings of disillusionment, loss, and drifting in a changing world. The song captures the essence of transformation and the struggle of losing one’s place in society.
Bob Dylan’s lyrics vividly portray a fall from grace—from a time of privilege and confidence to destitution and isolation. It’s a story of someone once esteemed now facing an unknown identity and homelessness.
Each verse paints a picture of someone who had everything, admired and envied, but who eventually confronts the harsh reality of loss and abandonment. Lines like “Now you don’t talk so loud, Now you don’t seem so proud” and “Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone” evoke loneliness and alienation.
The chorus, with its recurring question “How does it feel?” serves as a poignant reminder of the uncertainty and disorientation that come with such a drastic change. The repetition intensifies the emotional impact, prompting reflection on the consequences of actions and choices.
5. “Rolling Hills” by Emmylou Harris
“Rolling Hills” by Emmylou Harris is a touching song reflecting on the strong ties to one’s roots, the impact of tough times, and the hope for a better tomorrow. The lyrics vividly paint the image of West Virginia’s beautiful rolling hills, a place the singer considers heavenly. Despite the picturesque landscape, the times described are sad and dreary.
The song delves into the challenges faced by the working class, especially in West Virginia’s mining communities. The narrator’s father advises against becoming a miner, highlighting the harsh reality that such a profession often leads to a difficult life and an early end. The refrain, “For a miner’s grave is all you’ll ever own,” encapsulates the grim fate seemingly inevitable in the face of economic hardship.
The singer considers leaving the rural setting for a bustling city, opting for a northern factory town. This mirrors the common theme of rural-to-urban migration during tough times in search of better opportunities. However, the lyrics convey a sense of hesitation and an acknowledgment that leaving the past won’t erase the challenges faced.
The frequent mention of “These troubled times” underscores the widespread hardships the narrator is wrestling with. Despite the desire to escape, there’s an underlying optimism and determination to overcome difficulties. The hope for a return to the beloved West Virginia hills, expressed in the lines “Someday I’ll go back to West Virginia / To the green rolling hills I love so well,” suggests a yearning for a brighter future and a resolution to the struggles.
6. “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” by Limp Bizkit
“Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” by Limp Bizkit is a super high-energy song that just keeps on going with its unstoppable vibe. The chorus is catchy and kind of sticks in your head, making you want to move and do stuff. There are different artists involved, like DMX, Redman, and Method Man, which makes the song even more intense.
The words in the song are all about standing strong and being confident. Right from the start, it demands your attention and gets you hyped up with lines like “Limp Bizkit is right here” and “People in the house, put them hands in the air.” It’s like they’re inviting everyone to join in and be part of the action.
When the song goes into the verses, it gets even more intense. Each singer brings their own style, making it all sound pretty cool. DMX has this powerful presence, while Redman and Method Man add their slick rhymes, mixing up the vibe.
One cool thing about the song is the part where they keep chanting “Keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, rollin’.” It’s so catchy and gets stuck in your head, driving the beat forward. It’s like a chant that tells you to keep going, keep moving ahead, no matter what’s in your way.
7. “Rolling Stone Blues” by The Rolling Stones
“The Rolling Stones’ song ‘Rolling Stone Blues’ dives into freedom, longing, and life’s restlessness. It paints a clear picture of wanting independence, symbolized by yearning to be a carefree catfish in the sea, away from duties.
At the start, it sings about desiring freedom as a catfish, drawing attention and being admired by others. There’s a longing for freedom and being wanted, symbolized by the image of ‘good-looking women fishin’ after me.’
Then, it shifts as the singer visits their lover, welcomed because the lover’s spouse just left. This highlights fleeting connections and the attraction to someone available temporarily.
The title, ‘Rolling Stone Blues,’ pops up at the end when the singer’s mom predicts the birth of a son who’ll be a ‘rolling stone,’ often seen as living a wandering, unsettled life. It captures the main theme—a yearning for a life without ties.
Throughout, repeating phrases like ‘Fishin’ after me,’ ‘My husband, he just left,’ and ‘It’s gonna be a rolling stone’ reinforce the longing for freedom and fleeting relationships.”
8. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations
The Temptations’ song ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone’ digs deep into family complexities, focusing on absent fathers and their impact. It follows a son trying to understand his dad, piecing together his life through talks with his mom.
The song highlights how the dad’s absence affected the family. It starts with the son remembering the day his father died, emphasizing the hole he left. The line ‘Papa was a rolling stone, wherever he laid his hat was his home’ shows how the dad never settled, never committed to one place or duty.
It describes a dad who was hard to pin down, unreliable, and likely unfaithful. The son hears conflicting stories about his dad—some say he didn’t work, had kids outside his marriage, and did shady stuff. Others claim he preached and saved souls. These opposing views make his dad’s character a puzzle.
The son turns to his mom for the truth. She sadly confirms the rumors, admitting his dad’s flaws. It’s a heavy moment as she shares her pain, forcing the son to face the truth about his father, different from the idealized image he had.
9. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts is a lively song celebrating the awesome energy of rock music. It tells a story about a spontaneous meeting and the love for rock ‘n’ roll.
In the song, the lyrics describe a moment where the main character sees someone enjoying their favorite song by a jukebox. They both connect instantly because of their shared passion for rock music. This creates an exciting vibe where anything seems possible. The song’s energy reflects the boldness of rock ‘n’ roll, as the protagonist confidently approaches the person and asks to join in the fun.
The catchy chorus, “I love rock ‘n’ roll, so put another dime in the jukebox, baby, I love rock ‘n’ roll, so come and take your time and dance with me,” captures the enthusiasm for the music and invites others to share in that love. It’s all about having a blast, living in the moment, and embracing the freedom that rock ‘n’ roll represents.
The song champions freedom and being true to oneself, ignoring society’s expectations. It’s about seizing the chance to connect over shared interests and enjoying the present.
Joan Jett’s version of the song, with her raw vocals and powerful rock sound, enhances the rebellious and carefree vibe of the lyrics. The song hits home by bringing back memories of youthful excitement and the incredible power of music to bring people together.
10. “Roll With the Changes” by REO Speedwagon
“Roll With the Changes” by REO Speedwagon is all about being strong when things change in relationships. The words show how important it is to adapt and handle whatever comes your way, especially when it’s about love.
At the start, it talks about being ready for a big change, like a turning point in a relationship. Imagine a cup full of love, waiting for the other person to take a sip. It’s about having lots of love to give and being open to sharing it.
The chorus keeps repeating, saying, “If you’re tired of the same old story, let’s change things up. I’ll be here when you’re ready to handle whatever comes.” It’s like offering support and being patient, wanting things to grow and being there for your partner through any changes.
Throughout the song, it talks about feeling a shift, noticing things changing, and going through tough times (“darkest hour” and “desert burning”) until finding comfort and renewal because of your partner (“poured on me like a sweet sun shower”).
“Roll with the changes” is both a request and a promise—a request to adapt together and a promise to stick together through life’s ups and downs. Saying it over and over makes it more important, showing how crucial it is to be strong and flexible in a relationship.
11. “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” by The Rolling Stones
The song “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” by The Rolling Stones captures a rebellious vibe and talks about the pressures that come with fame. Basically, it tells critics, “Hey, I love rock ‘n’ roll, so your opinions don’t bother me.”
The words in the song show a defiance against what society expects and judges. Mick Jagger’s lines, like “If I could stick my pen in my heart and spill it all over the stage,” show a desire to express strong emotions freely. It’s like saying they’re ready to lay their feelings out, even if it goes against what’s normal or makes people uneasy.
When they sing, “I know it’s only rock ‘n’ roll but I like it,” they’re saying they know rock ‘n’ roll is simple, but they genuinely love it. It’s a way of saying, “I’m sure about my love for this, and I’m not changing my mind just because some people don’t like it.”
The song keeps repeating how much they love rock ‘n’ roll, which feels like they’re proudly declaring who they are and sticking to their music, no matter what anyone says. Lines about “cheating hearts” and “teenage lust” might hint at the challenges of fame, suggesting it’s tough to maintain relationships and stay true to yourself in the music business.
12. “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” by AC/DC
“Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” by AC/DC celebrates rock music’s enduring nature despite criticism for being loud and disruptive. The song is a bold statement, challenging the idea that rock, known for its loudness and energy, is a form of noise pollution.
It encourages people to see rock ‘n’ roll as more than just noise. The line “Rock ‘n’ roll ain’t no pollution, rock ‘n’ roll is just rock ‘n’ roll” captures this, saying rock music shouldn’t be seen as disruptive but celebrated as a vital part of culture.
The song’s origin from London’s Marquee Club issues with noise complaints shows the band’s frustration with limits on enjoying music freely. This adds depth to the song, speaking against societal constraints on self-expression and music enjoyment.
It also touches on freedom and choice. Lyrics about offering “rhythm and love” but being told someone prefers “rock ‘n’ roll instead” highlight choosing one’s preferred form of expression and enjoyment.
Submit Your Song to This Playlist
Do you have a track or song you’d like to feature on this playlist? If so, please fill out the form below for our evaluation.
Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms
For your convenience, you can listen to our playlist on:
Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.