The piece has influences of rock and roll and latin rhythms, and utilizes significant portions of extended technique in the solo part, including the use of foot pedals for melodic tuning, playing with an upside-down cymbal on the drumhead, and striking the drums with maraca sticks, wire brushes, and even the player's bare hands.
[1] Daugherty has cited architectural marvels as an inspiration for the composition, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Empire State Building.
[2][4] The original orchestral arrangement of the piece is scored for two flutes, piccolo, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four French horns, three trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, three percussionists, piano, and strings.
[2] Reviewing the concert band arrangement of the piece, Lawrence Budmen of the South Florida Classical Review praised Raise the Roof, calling it "a joyous romp that adds rock and big band sounds to the classical mix with lovable irreverence.
[8] Raise the Roof was released on disc through Naxos Records in August 2009, along with Daugherty's other works the MotorCity Triptych and the violin concerto Fire and Blood.