Formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the early 2010s, indie rock quartet Nap … Read Full Bio ↴Formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the early 2010s, indie rock quartet Nap Eyes combine the driving jangle of classic Flying Nun bands with an arch lyricism and scrappy lo-fi ethos that played out over a trilogy of critically acclaimed albums in the middle years of that decade. Built around the literate, often stream-of-consciousness voice of songwriter/guitarist Nigel Chapman, the band underwent a slight sonic shift in 2020 with their more elaborately arranged fourth outing, Snapshot of a Beginner.

Bandmates Chapman, bassist Josh Salter, drummer Seamus Dalton, and lead guitarist Brad Loughead debuted with a self-titled EP that came out in 2011. Though Dalton and Salter were both in the group Monomyth, and Loughead was a member of Each Other, Nap Eyes kept cranking out music, with two EPs (Tribal Thoughts and Four More Songs By) in 2012 and two 2013 releases (Joint Uppers & Other Favourites! and Dreaming Solo). They recorded fast, eschewing overdubs and getting a live and loose sound. Their first full-length was recorded in 2013 in Montreal by Mike Wright, who was also in Each Other with Loughead. Whine of the Mystic was first issued in 2014 in a limited run by Plastic Factory, then co-reissued in July 2015 by You've Changed Records and Paradise of Bachelors.

Once again employing their preferred studio method, Nap Eyes recorded their follow-up album, 2016's Thought Rock Fish Scale, entirely live in the studio over a period of four days. Completing what they considered to be an informal trilogy of LPs, the band returned in March 2018 with the deeply personal I'm Bad Now. For Nap Eyes' fourth album, they took a more measured and hi-fi approach, working with producers Jonathan Low (the National) and James Elkington at the National's Long Pond studio in Upstate New York. The resulting album, Snapshot of a Beginner, was released by Jagjaguwar in April 2020.

Roll It
Nap Eyes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why didn't you roll it?
Didn't have a feeling to go on
Why didn't you roll it?
Didn't have a feeling to go on
Why didn't you roll it
Didn't he listen to our song?
Why didn't you roll it?

Well, sometimes you just got to accept
And I am no better for gettin' sick
Of gettin' no break
The feeling is something like disrespect
Except it doesn't even know I exist

Why didn't he roll it?
Didn't have a feeling to go on
Why didn't he roll it?
Didn't have a feeling to go on
Why didn't you roll it
Didn't he listen to our song?
Why didn't he roll it?

Now being a stranger
In a strange, strange town
Didn't you hope that everyone
Would come on and crowd around
Didn't you kinda hope
They'd come and bow down?
Then didn't you feel great a great guilt for this?

And you know there's something wrong here
But you don't know what it is
Could it be me?
Could it be me?
Could it be me?
Could it be me?

And you know something's not right here
But you don't know what it is
What if it's you?
If it's you
What if it's you?
What if it's you?
But it could be me

It could be me
It could be me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nap Eyes's song "Roll It" seem to delve into themes of missed opportunities and feelings of self-doubt. The repeated question of "Why didn't you roll it?" suggests a missed chance or action that the singer seems to have regretted. The phrase "Didn't have a feeling to go on" implies a lack of inspiration or motivation to take that step, possibly in relation to a personal or creative endeavor.

The lyrics continue to explore this sense of dissatisfaction, reflecting on the feeling of not getting a break and experiencing disrespect. The line "Except it doesn't even know I exist" expresses a sense of insignificance or being overlooked. It seems the singer is grappling with frustration and disappointment, possibly stemming from feeling unheard or not understood.

The song then shifts to a contemplation of being a stranger in an unfamiliar place, where the singer had hoped for acceptance and recognition. The phrases "come on and crowd around" and "come and bow down" imply a desire for validation and validation, perhaps from others in a creative or artistic context. However, there is a contrast with the line "Then didn't you feel great guilt for this?" suggesting a conflicted reaction to this desire for attention.

The final section of the lyrics introduces a sense of uncertainty and self-doubt. The repetition of the phrase "Could it be me?" shows the singer questioning their own role or responsibility in the situation. They acknowledge that something feels off or wrong, but they are unsure of what exactly it is. The mention of "What if it's you?" implies a fear of self-blame or introspection, wondering if they themselves are the source of the issue. However, the repetition of "It could be me" suggests an acceptance of this possibility, and a recognition that they might hold some responsibility or accountability.

Overall, "Roll It" explores themes of missed opportunities, self-doubt, and the search for validation. The lyrics reflect a mix of frustration, longing, and introspection as the singer questions their actions and their place in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Why didn't you roll it?
Why did you not take action?

Didn't have a feeling to go on
I lacked the motivation or inspiration to continue

Why didn't you roll it?
Why did you not take action?

Didn't have a feeling to go on
I lacked the motivation or inspiration to continue

Why didn't you roll it?
Why did you not take action?

Didn't he listen to our song?
Did he not pay attention to our message or understanding?

Why didn't you roll it?
Why did you not take action?

Well, sometimes you just got to accept
At times, one must acknowledge or admit

And I am no better for gettin' sick
I have not improved by becoming ill or experiencing discomfort

Of gettin' no break
The lack of experiencing any positive outcomes or opportunities

The feeling is something like disrespect
The sensation is comparable to being treated with disregard or scorn

Except it doesn't even know I exist
However, it is not even aware of my existence

Why didn't he roll it?
Why did he not take action?

Didn't have a feeling to go on
He lacked the motivation or inspiration to continue

Why didn't he roll it?
Why did he not take action?

Didn't have a feeling to go on
He lacked the motivation or inspiration to continue

Why didn't you roll it?
Why did you not take action?

Didn't he listen to our song?
Did he not pay attention to our message or understanding?

Why didn't he roll it?
Why did he not take action?

Now being a stranger
Currently feeling like an outsider or unfamiliar

In a strange, strange town
In an unfamiliar and peculiar place

Didn't you hope that everyone
Did you not desire for everyone

Would come on and crowd around
To gather and surround you

Didn't you kinda hope
Did you not somewhat anticipate

They'd come and bow down?
That they would come and show reverence or respect?

Then didn't you feel great a great guilt for this?
Therefore, did you not experience immense guilt for such thoughts or desires?

And you know there's something wrong here
You are aware that something is amiss or not right

But you don't know what it is
However, you are uncertain of the specific issue

Could it be me?
Is it possible that I am the cause?

And you know something's not right here
And you are aware that something is wrong or out of place

But you don't know what it is
But you are unsure of the exact nature of the problem

What if it's you?
What if you are the one responsible?

If it's you
If it is indeed your fault

What if it's you?
What if you are the one responsible?

But it could be me
However, it might actually be my fault

It could be me
It is possible that I am to blame

Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Brad Loughead, Josh Salter, Nigel Chapman, Seamus Dalton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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