Roll Over Vaughan Williams
Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
Opening track from Richard Thompson's 1972 solo debut album Henry the Human Fly, a dark, off-kilter folk rock song blending British folk traditions with rock elements.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: melancholy, reflective
Traditions: british folk rock
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.
Vocal style: dynamic vocals.
Where this sits in Richard Thompson's catalog
We have 12 songs from Richard Thompson in the library. Of those, 4 are rated Safe, 8 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits above the artist average of 5.4, making it the #3 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
1972 context
Released in 1972. We have 269 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.0/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1970s.
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Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Roll Over Vaughan Williams"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" by Richard Thompson?
"Roll Over Vaughan Williams" by Richard Thompson rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" — what is its dynamic range?
"Roll Over Vaughan Williams" has a dynamic range of 6/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" have sudden or surprising changes?
"Roll Over Vaughan Williams" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
What is "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" best for?
In our library "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" is recommended for: deep listening, focus. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" released?
"Roll Over Vaughan Williams" is from 1972, on the album "Henry the Human Fly". It appears in our 1970s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Roll Over Vaughan Williams"?
We tag "Roll Over Vaughan Williams" as melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Roll Over Vaughan Williams"?
The vocal style is dynamic vocals.
Should I listen to "Roll Over Vaughan Williams"?
"Roll Over Vaughan Williams" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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