Rowche Rumble
The Fall Lyrics


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Rowche Rumble*
Rowche Rumble
It's valium
Valium
Valium
Roche Rumble
That's rumble
For thousands of wives around the world
Are given out by doctors, to feed their little girls
The doctors need prescriptions
The wives need their pills
So Rowche Rumble
Menopause wives are hard to handle
No culture or love, no gamble
The dope addicts are especially smashed
On Rowche Rumble
Rowche Rumble
Physician, heal thyself
Our government's built an expense account
Once in, never out
A step to Rowche
A force feeding
What are the people around you taking?
Rowche Rumble
Now I've tried crazy things
Abusing my body to a great end
But I'll never never never never do it again
I said I'll never never never never do it again
Rowche Rumble
Physician, heal thyself.
Musician, heal thyself.
Hey mister, heal thyself.
And loads of people across the land
Who do a prescribed death dance
While condemning speed and grass
They got an addiction like a hole in the ass
Rowche Rumble
Rowche Rumble
I send 70 pounds instead of 70 p to
Pharmaceutical company Rowche AG
The lorry arrived the next day
Swiss gnomes dealing out potions
Lend a hand
What is the fear for?
Whose do you think your body is?
Rowche Rumble
It's valium




That's rumble
[ Play on the name of the giant Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche. ]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Fall's song "Rowche Rumble" appear to be addressing the widespread use and abuse of the prescription drug Valium, produced by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche. The repetition of "Valium" and "Rowche Rumble" highlights the drug's prevalence in society and its potential to cause a "rumble" or disturbance, both physically and emotionally. The line "Menopause wives are hard to handle" suggests that the drug is often prescribed to women going through menopause, who may be experiencing mood swings or other symptoms.


The lyrics also criticize the medical industry and the government for their involvement in the widespread use of prescription drugs. The line "Our government's built an expense account / Once in, never out" implies that officials have a financial incentive to promote the use of drugs like Valium, even if they are not necessary. The repetition of "Physician, heal thyself / Musician, heal thyself / Hey mister, heal thyself" suggests a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their own health and well-being, rather than relying on drugs to solve their problems.


Overall, the lyrics to "Rowche Rumble" are a commentary on the societal and cultural attitudes towards prescription drugs and the medical industry's role in promoting their use. The song raises questions about the effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs, as well as the motives behind their widespread use.


Line by Line Meaning

Rowche Rumble*
The song's title, playing on the name of the pharmaceutical company Roche.


Rowche Rumble
Repeating the song's title.


It's valium
The drug being discussed is Valium, a brand of diazepam manufactured by Roche.


Valium
Repeating the drug's name.


Valium
Repeating the drug's name.


Roche Rumble
A play on the name of the pharmaceutical company Roche, which manufactured the drug Valium.


That's rumble
Referring to Valium as 'rumble,' or something that has a powerful effect.


For thousands of wives around the world
Valium is prescribed to many women globally.


Are given out by doctors, to feed their little girls
Doctors prescribe Valium, often to wives, who then give it to their daughters.


The doctors need prescriptions
The doctors themselves require prescriptions to legally prescribe the drug.


The wives need their pills
Wives are reliant on the drug to manage their daily stressors.


So Rowche Rumble
Valium, or 'Rowche Rumble,' is a solution for these women and their doctors.


Menopause wives are hard to handle
Women experiencing menopause can be difficult to manage without the use of Valium.


No culture or love, no gamble
The singer suggests that women are given this drug instead of being given love or coping mechanisms to deal with challenges.


The dope addicts are especially smashed
Those who are addicted to Valium are heavily impacted by the drug's effects.


On Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again, and its powerful effects.


Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again.


Physician, heal thyself
Doctors who prescribe Valium should be looking after their own wellbeing instead of prescribing the drug for others.


Our government's built an expense account
The government profits off of the distribution and sale of drugs like Valium.


Once in, never out
Once someone has become addicted to Valium, it can be very difficult for them to stop using it.


A step to Rowche
Taking a step towards using Valium, or Rowche Rumble.


A force feeding
People are being 'force-fed' drugs like Valium, rather than natural, holistic methods for dealing with issues.


What are the people around you taking?
The singer is calling on listeners to examine the drugs that others are taking, and the systems that make these drugs so prevalent.


Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again.


Now I've tried crazy things
The singer has engaged in self-destructive behaviors in the past.


Abusing my body to a great end
The singer has engaged in these behaviors to achieve a goal or benefit.


But I'll never never never never do it again
The singer promises to avoid engaging in such behaviors in the future.


I said I'll never never never never do it again
Repeating the promise to avoid self-destructive behaviors.


Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again.


Physician, heal thyself.
Calling on doctors who prescribe Valium to look after their own wellbeing instead of relying on drugs.


Musician, heal thyself.
Calling on musicians, who may have their own struggles, to look after their own wellbeing.


Hey mister, heal thyself.
Calling on all individuals to prioritize their own wellbeing and avoid destructive behaviors.


And loads of people across the land
Many people globally are taking drugs like Valium.


Who do a prescribed death dance
People are prescribed these drugs, but can become addicted and experience negative effects.


While condemning speed and grass
While drugs like marijuana and cocaine are stigmatized, prescription drugs like Valium are normalized.


They got an addiction like a hole in the ass
Those who are addicted to Valium are heavily impacted by the drug's effects, and their addiction can be difficult to manage.


Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again.


Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again.


I send 70 pounds instead of 70 p to
The singer sent more money than was required to purchase the drug.


Pharmaceutical company Rowche AG
Referring to Roche, the company that manufactured Valium.


The lorry arrived the next day
The artist received the drug without issue or delay.


Swiss gnomes dealing out potions
Pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies have a great deal of control over the way that drugs are distributed.


Lend a hand
The singer suggests that listeners should work together to find alternative solutions to the pervasive use of prescription drugs.


What is the fear for?
The artist calls on listeners to examine the systems and structures that make prescription drug use so prevalent.


Whose do you think your body is?
The artist suggests that individuals should take ownership over their own bodies and prioritize their own wellbeing rather than relying on prescription drugs.


Rowche Rumble
Referring to the drug Valium again.


It's valium
Repeating the name of the drug being discussed.


That's rumble
Referring to the powerful effects of the drug Valium.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MARK RILEY, CRAIG ANTHONY SCANLAN, MARK EDWARD SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Ash Robinson

Great job! The book is a decent starting point, but you go into much more depth describing the songs on the album. I am looking forward to checking out the rest of your videos. This channel deserves to grow big.

mrak fnaphp

Excellent review! Loved it when it came out, but was unaware of the significance of some of the lyrics. Your critique has broadened this album greatly for me and I will now revisit it from a different angle. I had a sense the song was about Karen Carpenter but, being this album was pre internet, and that I was a young teen when it came out, I could not be certain. I also did get that Kool Thing stemmed from an LLCoolJ encounter. That’s pretty hilarious. I fondly recall the high point of the album being Mildred Pierce’s shrieking vocals section frightening the living crap out of me and making me leap to turn the volume down. Cheers, great work.

Randy Joe

I'm glad I can provide more context to the album and offer a different perspective. They also covered the Carpenters song "Superstar" as part of a tribute album in 94 if that interests you. Thanks for watching, much appreciated!

mrak fnaphp

I mean I did not get the LLCoolJ reference, but thought it was just a really disconnected Chuck D feature. Really funny.

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