The one permanent fixture amidst the Fall's ever-changing line-up was Mark E. Smith (1957 – 2018). Smith's lyrics are free, unboxed and unpredictable, touching on an extremely wide range of subjects and places, and caring little for being tied down to easily digestible messages.
Smith's singing could put off some people, but others find it a uniquely expressive instrument. Smith was not a conventionally great vocalist, but his keen sense of rhythm, his energy and personality more than made up for this.
The Fall's music changed depending on the line-up at a given time. Always experimental, Mark E. Smith claimed to invent several musical genres, including house music; "we were doing that years ago" and even the internet. "He told me I didn't understand, that we were from the bleak industrial wastes of North England, or something, and that we didn't understand the Internet. I told him Fall fans invented the Internet. They were on there in 1982." One thing that is for sure is that The Fall (and their fans) always pushed the boundaries, and were never afraid to experiment.
The Fall were a favorite group of DJ John Peel, recording 24 sessions for his BBC1 radio program over the years.
The Fall's back catalogue consists of 29 studio albums, and is very fragmented with a seemingly endless number of compilations and semi-official live albums.
In 2006, British music-critic Dave Simpson published an entertaining account of a journalist's attempt to track down all 43 former members of The Fall in the Guardian. Many previous members have been fired, often with little or no notice. Simpson's ongoing effort was subsequently described at greater length in his book "The Fallen" (2008). His effort to track down the final unaccounted stragglers of at least 50 previous members of The Fall - including drummer Karl Burns - continues in his blog. Having decried Simpson's book as a "hatchet job" in the pages of Pseud. Mag., a Fall fan-mag, Mark E. Smith countered in short order with his autobiography "Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith" (Viking, 2008/Penguin 2009).
Mark E. Smith died on 24 January 2018, aged 60.
Key Albums include:
# Live At the Witch Trials (debut)
# Dragnet
# Totale's Turns (It's Now Or Nevr)
# Grotesque (after the Gramme)
# Perverted By Language
# Hex Enduction Hour
# This Nation's Saving Grace
# Middle Class Revolt
# Bend Sinister
# Extricate
# The Infotainment Scan
# Country on the Click aka The Real New Fall LP
# Fall Heads Roll
# Reformation Post TLC (new)
Compilations/Singles/B-Sides:
# 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats
# The Complete Peel Sessions 1978-2004
# Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology (disc 1) and Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology (disc 2)
# 458489 A-Sides
# 458489 B-Sides
Dice Man
The Fall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I take a chance, huh
Do you take a chance, huh?
Where you two going?
Where you two going?
Is this a branch on the tree of showbusiness?
Have a social conscience?
Well, only in their front rooms
But I am the dice man
And I take a chance man
Do you take a chance, huh?
They stay with the masses
Don't take any chances
End up emptying ashtrays
But I push, push, push, push
Throw the bones and the poison dice
No time for small moralists
'cause I am the dice man
And I take a chance, huh
Do you take a chance, fan?
They say music should be fun
Like reading a story of love
But I want to read a horror story
Where are you people going?
Where are you people going?
Is this a branch on the tree of showbusiness?
But I am the dice man
A balls-on-the-line man
Do you take a chance, baby?
The Fall's "Dice Man" is a song that is both an existential reflection on the nature of showbusiness and a rousing call to arms for those willing to take a chance. The song is framed by the persona of the "dice man," who uses the metaphor of dice rolling as a way of talking about the unpredictable nature of life and the music industry. The dice man believes that many of his fellow musicians play it "safe" and don't take risks, leading to their eventual failure or irrelevance. The dice man himself is different, always pushing forward and taking risks to stay relevant and exciting.
The song is filled with dry wit and sarcasm, directed at the idea that musicians are supposed to have a "social conscience" but often only care about their own image or popularity. The dice man sees himself as a sort of antihero, throwing the dice and taking his chances whether the general public approves or not. The chorus repeats the mantra of the dice man, asking the listener if they too are willing to take a chance, to roll the dice and see where it leads.
Overall, "Dice Man" is a biting critique of conformity and the music industry's tendency to reward those who play it safe, while celebrating those who take risks and push boundaries. It is a call for individuality and creativity, urging listeners to take their chances and see where the dice may fall.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the dice man
I am an unpredictable person who takes risks.
And I take a chance, huh
I am willing to take a risk even when the outcome is uncertain.
Do you take a chance, huh?
Are you also willing to take risks like me?
Where you two going?
Where are you headed?
Is this a branch on the tree of showbusiness?
Is this related to the entertainment industry?
Do all these musicians
Are all the musicians out there
Have a social conscience?
Socially responsible
Well, only in their front rooms
Only in their private space
They stay with the masses
They stick with what's popular
Don't take any chances
Don't want to take risks
End up emptying ashtrays
End up with menial jobs
But I push, push, push, push
But I relentlessly strive
Throw the bones and the poison dice
Gambling my fortune on dangerous choices
No time for small moralists
No time for people who are only interested in small talk or small thinking
'cause I am the dice man
Because I am a risky person
They say music should be fun
They say that music should be entertaining
Like reading a story of love
Like reading a romantic fairy tale
But I want to read a horror story
But I want to experience something dark and unsettling
Where are you people going?
Where are you heading to, all of you?
Is this a branch on the tree of showbusiness?
Is this related to show business?
A balls-on-the-line man
A daring person who is willing to take risks under pressure
Do you take a chance, baby?
Are you willing to take risks like me?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARK E. SMITH, CRAIG SCANLON, MARK RILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beatnickchick B
MES and The Fall pure absolute genius..I just bloody adore every single tune on Dragnet..Thanks for uploading! Pure Class
Mike G
I primarily listen to metal and hard rock but i hold an appreciation for this band. They have so many cool songs. Rip MES!
Duncan Miller
When I hear this tune or look at this album cover I'm instantly transported back to 16 year old me lol
Thom Nuzum
Dragnet my favorite Fall album. Dice man stay with the manasses
Spectrescup
The uks greatest contribution to music.The Fall 77-84.
Fin O'Suilleabhain
10.5 views and zero dislikes. Hope for the world yet. RIP MES.
costas2by4
Thanks for uploading this
Intelligence Limited
'Do all these musicians have a social conscience? Well, only in their front rooms'. Ha ha.
Derek Wilson
1-5 play Fall songs. Six. Go into the street and play Fall songs to randoms.
LunaWasHere
RIP