Lowell George met Bill Payne when George was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Payne had auditioned for the Mothers, but had not joined. They formed Little Feat along with former Mothers' bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward from George's previous band, the Factory. The name of the band came from a comment made by Mothers' drummer Jimmy Carl Black about Lowell's "little feet." The spelling of "feat" was an homage to The Beatles.
Their first two albums received nearly universal critical acclaim, and "Willin'" became a standard, subsequently popularized by its inclusion on Linda Ronstadt's album Heart Like a Wheel.
While touring in support of his solo album in June 1979, at the age of 34, George collapsed in his hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. The surviving members finished and released the Little Feat album "Down on the Farm" before disbanding.
The surviving former members of Little Feat reformed in 1987 when Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne added songwriter/vocalist Craig Fuller, formerly from the band Pure Prairie League (who also provided some rhythm guitar), and Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin and trumpet.
With a seemingly constant tour schedule, Little Feat is easily one of the hardest-working and enduring bands in the industry today. With a history that spans more than 30 years, Little Feat is regarded by many rock music critics as a "band's band", and as one of the greatest rock bands in American rock music history. Best known for their combination of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie, they craftily blend folk, blues, rockabilly, country and jazz to create a unique style all their own, garnering a faithful grass-roots following. Simply put, Little Feat's sound transcends traditional music boundaries and they offer fans an unforgettable live performance.
Richie Hayward became the second founding member of the band to die, passing from pneumonia and other complications of lung disease on August 18, 2010.
Roll Um Easy
Little Feat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the eloquent profanity, it rolls right off my tongue
And I have dined in palaces, drunk wine with kings and queens
But darlin', oh darlin', you're the best thing I ever seen
Won't you roll me easy, oh slow and easy
Take my independence, with no apprehension, no tension
You're a walkin', talkin' paradise, sweet paradise
I've been across this country, from Denver to the ocean
And I never met girls that could sing so sweet like the angels that live in Houston
Singing roll me easy, so slow and easy
Play that concertina be a temptress
And baby I'm defenseless
Singing harmony, in unison, sweet harmony
Gotta hoist the flag and I'll beat your drum
The lyrics of Little Feat's song Roll Um Easy are a testament to a life lived in the moment, with no strings attached. The singer, who identifies himself as a drifter, has lived a life of great variety and adventure, dining in palaces and drinking wine with kings and queens. However, despite all of these experiences, it is the person he is singing to -- his "darlin'" -- who remains the best thing he has ever seen.
The chorus of the song, "Roll me easy, oh slow and easy," speaks to the singer's desire to be free and to live life on his own terms. He is willing to give up his independence if it means being with this person. He describes them as a "walkin', talkin' paradise," a description that indicates just how important they are to him.
The second verse of the song mentions the singer's travels across the country and how he has never met girls who could sing as sweetly as the angels in Houston. He expresses his vulnerability and lack of defenses in the face of the sweet harmonies that the people around him are making. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the singer's desire to be able to surrender completely.
Overall, the song speaks to the desire for freedom and the importance of finding someone who can make you feel truly alive. It also touches on the idea of surrendering control and being vulnerable in order to find true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa I am just a vagabond, a drifter on the run
I'm someone who wanders around without a permanent home.
the eloquent profanity, it rolls right off my tongue
I tend to use really strong and colorful language.
And I have dined in palaces, drunk wine with kings and queens
I've had the opportunity to experience a lot of luxury and wealth.
But darlin', oh darlin', you're the best thing I ever seen
Despite all of my experiences, you're the most amazing thing I've come across.
Won't you roll me easy, oh slow and easy
Can you handle me gently and with care?
Take my independence, with no apprehension, no tension
I want to surrender my independence to you without any worry or stress.
You're a walkin', talkin' paradise, sweet paradise
Being with you is like being in a paradise.
I've been across this country, from Denver to the ocean
I've traveled extensively across the United States.
And I never met girls that could sing so sweet like the angels that live in Houston
The women in Houston have a captivating and sweet singing voice.
Singing roll me easy, so slow and easy
Please sing to me so gently and with care.
Play that concertina be a temptress
Play the concertina and seduce me.
And baby I'm defenseless
You have the power to render me helpless and vulnerable.
Singing harmony, in unison, sweet harmony
We're singing together in perfect harmony.
Gotta hoist the flag and I'll beat your drum
Let's celebrate together and make some noise.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LOWELL GEORGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Representing the Mambo
Heard this song right before I had to go on a buiness trip to Rio. The progression of the song up the mountainside to the dangerous favelas above the city to the isolated hidden samba clubs make this song a trip you can truly take in your mind to that place.