High Roller
Dashboard Madonna Lyrics

The lyrics of "High Roller" by Dashboard Madonna depict the downfall of a character referred to as the "High Roller," who is engaged in high-stakes gambling and finds himself in a dire situation. In the first verse, we learn that the High Roller consistently plays for keeps and is accustomed to being in control. However, he is now out of his league and losing significant amounts of money, as indicated by the use of the term "grands" to represent large sums of cash. The line "High Roller holds the dead man's hand" is a reference to the poker hand known as the "dead man's hand," consisting of two pairs: aces and eights. This serves as a metaphor for the High Roller's unlucky streak and impending doom.

In the following verse, the lyrics describe a sense of impending danger and pressure closing in on the High Roller. He is metaphorically being pursued by someone or something, as represented by the line "Feel them breathing down your neck." The imagery of traffic lights changing from green to red symbolizes a shift from favorable circumstances to unfavorable ones. The line "Out to lunch you start to sweat" suggests that the High Roller is becoming increasingly nervous and unsure about his next move. Despite his desperation, he realizes he is unable to turn back time or escape the consequences of his actions. The question posed, "What will you say? Whatever next?" reflects his sense of helplessness and uncertainty about how to proceed.

As the song progresses, the situation worsens for the High Roller. He is described as being out of luck and losing his touch, indicating a decline in his fortunes and abilities. The line "You owe them G's they won't forget" implies that the High Roller is in significant debt to dangerous individuals who are unlikely to let him off the hook easily. The lyrics emphasize his limited options by stating that he cannot rely on the conventional methods of seeking help, such as calling the police or robbing a bank. Instead, he is given a deadline by which he must repay his debt or face the consequences.

In the final verse, the lyrics paint a bleak picture of the High Roller's fate. It is said that his time has struck, meaning that his time has run out. The line "High Roller meets his end" hints at a tragic conclusion for the character, suggesting that he will face severe punishment or even death. The repetition of the phrase "High Roller holds the dead man's hand" serves as a reminder of his doomed fate and reiterates the metaphor introduced earlier in the song. The lyrics convey a sense of cautionary tale, warning the listener about the dangers of excessive risk-taking and the potential consequences that can come with it.