What makes Roll with It by Steve Winwood notable?

'Roll with It' achieved commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary chart. Its infectious sound and catchy hooks made it a staple on radio playlists, reinforcing Winwood's influence in the blue-eyed soul genre during this era. By 1988, Steve Winwood was already an established artist, having enjoyed significant success since the early '70s. 'Roll with It' marked a return to the charts after a period of relative quiet following his acclaimed album 'Back in the High Life' in 1986, solidifying his status as a pop-rock mainstay.

How many songs are on Roll with It?

Roll with It has 3 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

Roll with It

Steve Winwood · 1988

20 min · 3 tracks · blues

A vibrant fusion of blue-eyed soul and rock, punctuated by infectious grooves and Winwood's soulful vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Roll With It (12″ remix) — The extended remix showcases Winwood's ability to blend rock sensibility with danceable rhythms, highlighting the album's overall groove-oriented approach.
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Roll With It (Steve Testifies dub) — This dub version emphasizes the rhythm section and production techniques that were innovative for its time, reflecting Winwood's diverse musical influences.
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The Morning Side (7″ version) — Offering a more introspective lyrical perspective, this track balances the upbeat nature of the album with deeper emotional undertones, showcasing Winwood's songwriting prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends rhythmic grooves with soulful melodies, maintaining a danceable energy while offering moments of reflection.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm that encourages dancing.
The final two tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a contrast to the earlier energetic songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — 'Roll with It' marked a return to the charts and solidified Winwood's mainstream appeal.
Career context: By 1988, Steve Winwood was already an established artist, having enjoyed significant success since the early '70s. 'Roll with It' marked a return to the charts after a period of relative quiet following his acclaimed album 'Back in the High Life' in 1986, solidifying his status as a pop-rock mainstay.
Stylistic neighbors: Joe Cocker· Traffic· Eric Clapton