Introduction
When Linda Ronstadt decided to take on the Rolling Stones’ classic “Tumbling Dice”, the music world didn’t just raise its eyebrows—it was left in shock. How could a woman, often labeled as the “Queen of Rock” but equally tied to country and folk roots, dare to step into the swaggering, testosterone-fueled universe of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards? The answer: by blowing the doors off the song and making it her own.
Ronstadt’s version wasn’t just a cover—it was an earthquake. Where Jagger’s original had the cool grit of a back-alley gambler, Ronstadt’s powerhouse voice brought unrelenting heat, fire, and danger. She didn’t imitate; she dominated. Her soaring vocals transformed “Tumbling Dice” into a storm of raw energy, proving that rock ‘n’ roll’s supposed gender barriers were nothing but illusions.
Fans were stunned. Critics were divided. Some called it “audacious” while others hailed it as one of the boldest moves in rock history. With every note, Ronstadt not only matched the Stones’ reckless spirit but also injected a fresh, intoxicating sensuality that no male frontman could ever replicate. It was shocking, it was fearless, and it was pure Ronstadt.
This wasn’t just a singer covering a famous song—this was a woman challenging the rock hierarchy head-on. At a time when male domination of the charts was the norm, Linda Ronstadt carved out her own throne, proving she could out-sing, out-shine, and out-power some of the greatest names in music.
So let’s be clear: Linda Ronstadt’s “Tumbling Dice” isn’t just another cover. It’s a declaration of war. It’s proof that rock ‘n’ roll, in its truest form, belongs to anyone daring enough to take it—and Linda Ronstadt took it, owned it, and left the world gasping for air.
Video
Lyrics
Wo Yeah! (Wo, wo)
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’,
Don’t you know you know the duece is still wild.
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
