About the song

“Roll Me Away” is a song written and performed by American rock artist Bob Seger, released in 1982 on the album The Distance. It is one of Seger’s most iconic and enduring hits.

Background:

The song reflects a sense of restlessness and longing for freedom that is often associated with the open road. It tells the story of a narrator who feels trapped and disillusioned with his current life and seeks escape through travel and adventure. Seger himself has mentioned in interviews that the song was inspired by his own experiences touring and traveling across the United States.

Themes:

The song explores several universal themes:

  • Escape and Freedom: The central theme is the desire to break free from the mundane and explore new horizons. The open road symbolizes the possibility of a fresh start and a chance to reinvent oneself.
  • Disillusionment: The lyrics hint at a sense of disappointment with the narrator’s current circumstances and a yearning for something more meaningful.
  • Self-Discovery: The journey becomes a metaphor for self-discovery, as the narrator seeks to understand himself better through new experiences and encounters.
  • Nostalgia: The song also evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time and a longing for the carefree days of youth.

Overall, “Roll Me Away” is a classic rock anthem that speaks to the universal desire for freedom, adventure, and self-discovery. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and relatable lyrics.

Video

Lyrics

Took a look down a westbound roadRight away I made my choiceHeaded out to my big two-wheelerI was tired of my own voiceTook a bead on the northern plainsAnd just rolled that power on
12 hours out of Mackinac CityStopped in a bar to have a brewMet a girl and we had a few drinksAnd I told her what I’d decided to do
She looked out the window a long, long momentThen she looked into my eyesShe didn’t have to say a thingI knew what she was thinkin’
Roll, roll me awayWon’t you roll me away tonightI, too, am lost, I feel double-crossedAnd I’m sick of what’s wrong and what’s rightWe never even said a wordWe just walked out and got on that bikeAnd we rolledAnd we rolled clean out of sight
We rolled across the high plainsDeep into the mountainsFelt so good to meFinally, feelin’ free
Somewhere along a high roadThe air began to turn coldShe said she missed her homeI headed on alone, oh, oh
Stood alone on a mountain topStarin’ out at the Great DivideI could go east, I could go westIt was all up to me to decideJust then I saw a young hawk flyin’And my soul began to riseAnd pretty soonMy heart was singin’
Roll, roll me awayI’m gonna roll me away tonightGotta keep rollin’, gotta keep ridin’Keep searchin’ ’til I find what’s rightAnd as the sunset faded I spoke to the faintest first starlightAnd I said next timeNext timeWe’ll get it right
Roll me away
Roll me away
Come on
Roll me away
Roll