REO Speedwagon's 1971 debut album was with their original lead singer, Terry Luttrell. Kevin Cronin took over that role for their next effort, R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972), but it was rough sledding, and while they were making their third album, Ridin' the Storm Out (1973), he left over conflict with guitarist Gary Richrath and other creative tensions. Cronin returned to the band in 1976, which meant moving from Chicago to Los Angeles, where they had relocated. On that trip, he had lots of time to think about all the changes in his life, and how he was (quite literally) rolling with them.
The song hit him in a flash: he started writing the lyrics on a brown paper bag in his Ford Pinto while he was driving. Released as the first single from their 1978 album You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish, the song became their biggest hit to that point, reaching #58.
Lyrics
As soon as you are able, woman I am willing
To make the break that we are on the brink of
My cup is on the table, my love is spilling
Waiting here for you to take and drink of
So if you're tired of the same old story,
Oh, turn some pages
I will be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes, yeah, yeah
I knew it had to happen, felt the tables turnin'
Got me through my darkest hour
I heard the thunder clappin', felt the desert burnin'
Until you poured on me like a sweet sunshower
So if you're tired of the same old story
Oh, turn some pages
I will be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes, ooooh
So if you're tired of the same old story
Oh baby, turn some pages
I will be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes, baby,
Roll with the changes,
Ah you know you know you know you got to
Oh yeah
(Keep on rollin'), oooh roll with the changes
Keep on rollin' (keep on rollin' keep on rollin')
Oh now roll with the changes oh baby
Oh you got to learn to roll with the changes
Got to, got to, got to, got to keep on rollin'
Keep on rollin', got to learn to, got to learn to,
Got to learn to roll
Keep on rollin', keep on rollin', oooh Keep on rollin', keep on rollin', oooh Keep on rollin', keep on rollin', oooh Keep on rollin', keep on rollin', oooh, aah
Songwriters: Kevin Patrick Cronin Roll with the Changes lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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