The original band consisted of Jill Cunniff (vocals, bass), Gabby Glaser (vocals, guitar), Kate Schellenbach (drums) and Vivian Trimble (keyboards, vocals). Schellenbach was a founding member of the Beastie Boys and left shortly after the Beasties switched from being a hardcore punk band into being a hip-hop group
Between 1993 and 2000 they released one EP, three full length LPs and ten singles on the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label. Their biggest hit —and only Billboard Top 40 entry— is "Naked Eye" (#36, March 22, 1997). Other notable singles include "Here", "CitySong (NY State Of The World)", "Under Your Skin" and "Ladyfingers".
Vivian Trimble left the group in 1998, and in 2000 (after releasing one album as a trio) the group officially announced the break up of Luscious Jackson.
February 2007 saw the release of Luscious Jackson's "greatest hits" compilation, and in the fall of 2006 the band announced that they had reunited and were to release a new children's album, a plan which never came to fruition and the band ceased activity in 2007.
In the January 2012 issue of "Rolling Stone" magazine, the band announced that they had reunited in late 2011. Subsequently, the band has released Magic Hour (2013) and Baby DJ (2013).
Rollin'
Luscious Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That rolls alone
Can you find a bus
That won't stop running
Can you get a good carburetor
In the front of the candy store
I keep looking
I travel light, I travel low
You're outside, I walk by
Thinking of you
Why do I spend my time
Thinking of you
Yeah I'm gonna fade away
To black today
Yeah I'm gonna fade
And keep on fading
Everybody got a Cadillac
Coming everybody gotta
Keep on running
You're outside, I walk by
Thinking of you
Why do I spend my time
Thinking of you
[Repeat x2]
[He likes to come around
Coming around and rollin'
On through. he likes
To get down, gettin' on
Down to get away from you]
[Repeat x4]
[Can you find a roll
And roll and roll and
Roll and roll and rollin']
You're outside, I walk by
Thinking of you
Why do I spend my time
Thinking of you
The lyrics of Luscious Jackson's "Rollin'" talk about the search for freedom, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. The metaphorical aspect is expressed in the search for a "rolling stone that rolls alone," a desire to be independent and free of commitments. The literal sense is expressed in the search for a bus that won't stop running and a good carburetor. These items symbolize the ability to keep moving forward without any obstacles, a sense of motion that brings a sense of freedom.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "you're outside, I walk by thinking of you, why do I spend my time thinking of you." This repetition indicates a sense of longing or obsession with someone who is not attainable, perhaps someone who represents a commitment that the singer is trying to avoid.
The bridge of the song expresses the desire to fade away into the background, to not be noticed, and to keep fading. This could be interpreted as a desire to be free of the constraints of society, to exist on the fringes without any obligations or responsibilities.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rollin'" convey a desire for freedom and independence, both in a literal sense of movement and a metaphorical sense of emotional detachment.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you find a rolling stone
Can you find someone like a rolling stone who is always moving and never stays in one place for too long?
That rolls alone
Someone who is a lone traveler and never stays in a group for too long.
Can you find a bus
Is there a mode of transportation out there that will never stop moving, always in motion?
That won't stop running
Will something exist that never stops its continuous, never-ending routine?
Can you get a good carburetor
Is it possible to find something that works well, even if it's not the best option out there?
In the front of the candy store
Maybe we can find what we need in the most unexpected places?
I keep looking
Even if I haven't found what I'm looking for, I never stop trying.
I travel light, I travel low
I don't have a lot of baggage or possessions, but I always keep moving forward.
Because I got no place to go
I have no real destination in mind and just enjoy wandering aimlessly.
You're outside, I walk by Thinking of you
Even when I'm walking by, I still think about you and your memories.
Why do I spend my time Thinking of you
Why can't I stop thinking about the past and focus on the present?
Yeah I'm gonna fade away To black today
I'm going to disappear from your memories starting today, and you won't think about me anymore.
Yeah I'm gonna fade And keep on fading
I will become a distant memory and soon will disappear completely from your memories.
Everybody got a Cadillac Coming everybody gotta Keep on running
Everybody has their own goals and methods to achieve their dreams, and they must keep moving forward to succeed.
He likes to come around Coming around and rollin' On through. he likes To get down, gettin' on Down to get away from you
There's a person who loves to move and never wants to stand still; even when they are with you, they want to get away from your grasp quickly.
Can you find a roll And roll and roll and Roll and roll and rollin'
Can you find someone who keeps moving and never stops, always in motion and never able to stand still?
You're outside, I walk by Thinking of you
Even when I'm walking by, I still think about you and your memories.
Why do I spend my time Thinking of you
Why can't I stop thinking about the past and focus on the present?
[Repeat x2]
The verses will repeat themselves for emphasis.
[Repeat x4]
The chorus will repeat itself multiple times for emphasis.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GABRIELLE GLASER, JILL CUNNIFF, KATHERINE A SCHELLENBACH, VIVIAN E TRIMBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind