"High Roller" is a song written by Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, and Tom Petersson that was first released on Cheap Trick's 1978 album Heaven Tonight.
[3] On the other hand, critic Bryan Wawzenek is particularly effusive in praising Bun E. Carlos's drumming on the song, comparing his fills to The Rolling Stones' Charlie Watts.
"[4] Wawzenek also calls Zander's singing "great," remarking how he makes "the hot-shot lothario" who is the protagonist of the song "sound both really cool and really dangerous.
[5] Author Mike Hayes states that Tom Werman's production on Heaven Tonight softened the song compared to its live renditions.
[11][12] Ira Robbins and Michael Sandlin of Trouser Press describe it as a "stripped down" version but call it a "ripping cover," even though they feel the conception was better than the execution.