Gray won his first talent contest at the age of nine, and by the age of twelve he was already appearing in public, playing drums, guitar, and keyboards. He attended the Alpha Boys School and turned professional aged 19. Gray was a dynamic performer on stage, who could be gritty or suave as the song dictated. He was the first singer (of many) to praise a sound system on record, with his "On the Beach" celebrating Clement Dodd's Sir Coxsone Downbeat system in 1959, one of the first releases on Dodd's Studio One label. He was one of the first artists to be produced by Chris Blackwell, in 1960, and his "Patricia" single was the first record ever released by Island Records. His first single, "Please Let Me Go", reached the top of the charts in Jamaica, and featured a guitar solo from Ernest Ranglin (Ranglin's first recording session). The single also sold well in the United Kingdom, as did subsequent releases, prompting Gray to emigrate there in 1962. He toured Europe in 1964, and by 1966 he was well known as a soul singer as well as for his ska songs. In the rocksteady era, he recorded for producer Sir Clancy Collins. His popularity continued throughout the 1960s, working with producers such as Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Arthur "Duke" Reid, Leslie Kong, and Clancy Eccles, including work as a duo with Millie Small, with songs ranging from ska to ballads. He continued to record regularly, having a big hit in 1968 with "Cupid". His 1970 track "Apollo 12" found favour with the early skinheads, and in 1972 he returned to Island Records, recording reggae versions of The Rolling Stones' "Tumblin' Dice" and John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", although they met with little success. During this period, he regularly had releases on Pama and sister label, Camel Records, and one single on Hot Lead Records. He had greater success in Jamaica, however, with "Hail the Man", a tribute to Emperor Haile Selassie, which was popular with the increasing Rastafari following. Gray spent a short time living in New Orleans before returning to Jamaica where he turned his hand to roots reggae, working with producer Bunny Lee, and achieving considerable success. In the 1980s relocated to Miami. He has continued to release new material regularly, often concentrating on ballads and Gospel music.
Tumbling Dice
Owen Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Women think I'm tasty, but they're always tryin' to waste me
And make me burn the candle right down,
But baby, baby, I don't need no jewels in my crown.
Cause all you women is low down gamblers,
Cheatin' like I don't know how,
But baby, baby, there's fever in the funk house now.
This low down bitchin' got my poor feet a itchin',
Baby, I can't stay, you got to roll me
And call me the tumblin' dice.
Always in a hurry, I never stop to worry,
Don't you see the time flashin' by.
Honey, got no money,
I'm all sixes and sevens and nines.
Say now baby, I'm the rank outsider,
You can be my partner in crime.
But baby, I can't stay,
You got to roll me and call me the tumblin',
Roll me and call me the tumblin' dice.
Oh, my, my, my, I'm the lone crap shooter,
Playin' the field ev'ry night.
But baby, I can't stay,
You got to roll me and call me the tumblin' dice, (Call me the tumblin')
Got to roll me (yayes), Got to roll me, Got to roll me (Oh yeah)
Got to roll me
Got to roll me (yeah)
Got to roll me (Keep on rolling)
Got to roll me (Keep on rolling)
Got to roll me (Keep on rolling)
Got to roll me
My baby, call me the tumblin' dice, yeah
Got to roll me
Baby sweet as sugar (Got to roll me)
Yeah, my, my, my yeah (Got to roll me)
I went down baby, oh
Got to roll me (hit me)
Baby I'm down
The lyrics to Owen Gray's song Tumbling Dice portray a man who is constantly being pursued by women, but feels as though he is always being used and taken advantage of. He feels as though women see him as a prize, wanting to waste him and use him for their own pleasures, forcing him to burn out. Despite this, the man asserts his independence and confidence, stating that he doesn't need women to give him his worth or value. However, he also acknowledges that women are alluring and exciting, using gambling metaphors to describe their deceitful and unpredictable nature. The man appears restless and always on the move, never stopping to worry or take a break. He recognizes that he is not wealthy or successful, but suggests that he offers something different and exciting for women who are willing to take a chance on him.
Overall, the song is a representation of the complicated relationship between men and women. The man acknowledges the thrill of the chase and the excitement of romance, but also recognizes the negative aspects of relationships and the power dynamics at play. Additionally, the lyrics suggest that people are constantly in a state of motion and change, with life moving by quickly and unpredictably.
Line by Line Meaning
Wo Yeah! (Wo, wo)
Expression of excitement and enthusiasm
Women think I'm tasty, but they're always tryin' to waste me
Women find me attractive, but they often try to take advantage of me
And make me burn the candle right down,
They drain my energy and resources
But baby, baby, I don't need no jewels in my crown.
I don't need material possessions to feel successful
Cause all you women is low down gamblers,
All you women are dishonest risk-takers
Cheatin' like I don't know how,
You cheat as if I can't detect it
But baby, baby, there's fever in the funk house now.
But there's excitement and energy in this place right now
This low down bitchin' got my poor feet a itchin',
This constant complaining makes me restless
Don't you know you know the duece is still wild.
Don't you know the situation is still unpredictable and risky
Baby, I can't stay, you got to roll me
I can't stay here, you have to move me along
And call me the tumblin' dice.
And refer to me as the unpredictable gambler
Always in a hurry, I never stop to worry,
I am always rushing around, never fretting
Don't you see the time flashin' by.
Don't you see time passing quickly
Honey, got no money,
I'm broke
I'm all sixes and sevens and nines.
I am disorganized and confused
Say now baby, I'm the rank outsider,
I am the unconventional, outsider type
You can be my partner in crime.
You can be my accomplice
But baby, I can't stay,
But I can't stay here any longer
You got to roll me and call me the tumblin',
You have to move me along and label me as unpredictable
Roll me and call me the tumblin' dice.
Move me along and refer to me as the unpredictable gambler
Oh, my, my, my, I'm the lone crap shooter,
I am the only one taking risks
Playin' the field ev'ry night.
I am taking risks every night
But baby, I can't stay,
But I can't stay here any longer
You got to roll me and call me the tumblin' dice, (Call me the tumblin')
You have to move me along and label me as unpredictable
Got to roll me (yayes), Got to roll me, Got to roll me (Oh yeah)
Move me along multiple times
Got to roll me
Keep moving me along
Got to roll me (yeah)
Keep moving me along with enthusiasm
Got to roll me (Keep on rolling)
Keep moving me along continuously
Got to roll me (Keep on rolling)
Keep moving me along continuously
Got to roll me (Keep on rolling)
Keep moving me along continuously
Got to roll me
Keep moving me along
My baby, call me the tumblin' dice, yeah
Refer to me as the unpredictable gambler
Baby sweet as sugar (Got to roll me)
You are sweet, but you still need to move me along
Yeah, my, my, my yeah (Got to roll me)
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm about moving me along
I went down baby, oh
I failed, baby
Got to roll me (hit me)
Move me along with force or determination
Baby I'm down
I'm feeling low or defeated, baby
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind