Around and Around
Encyclopedia
"Around and Around" is a 1958 rock song written and first recorded by Chuck Berry
. It originally appeared under the name "Around & Around" as the B-side to the single "Johnny B. Goode
".
covered the song on their EP, Five by Five and second US album 12 X 5
in 1964. In October 1964, they performed the song as part of their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. In 1964 the Stones opened their famed TAMI Show with the song. It was also included on the 1977 live album Love You Live
, as part of the El Mocambo
club gig in Toronto
.
covered it also in 1964. Eric Burdon
had it also included on some of his live sets.
The song was a staple of the Grateful Dead
, who played it in concert over 400 times between 1970 and 1995. It appears on 19 Grateful Dead albums, and 9 more by related acts from the Grateful Dead family.
David Bowie
recorded the song in 1971, produced by Ken Scott
, under the title "Round and Round". It was released as the B-side of the single "Drive-In Saturday
" in April 1973. This is one of David Bowie's more rare recordings. It was also found on the compilations Rare (1983) and the Sound and Vision box set. Picture disc versions was released in both the RCA
Life Time picture disc set and the Fashion Picture Disc Set. In 2002 it was released on the Ziggy Stardust - 30th Anniversary Reissue
bonus disc.
Meat Loaf
placed the song in his "Rock 'n Roll Medley" during his 1989 tour for a short time.
38 Special covered the song on their 1977 self titled debut album.
Maureen Tucker
of The Velvet Underground
also recorded the song for her 1981 debut solo album Playin' Possum
. It was released as a single as a double a-side with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?".
American Punk Rock
band, The Germs
released their version of the song which is included on the posthumous What We Do Is Secret EP
released in 1981, as well as (MIA): The Complete Anthology released in 1993. Although originally a Chuck Berry song, their version is much closer to David Bowie
's version. Lead singer, Darby Crash
was heavily influenced by Bowie, as well as other members of the band.
Dayton, Ohio based indie rock band Guided By Voices has regularly included the song in their live sets since their 1996 Mag Earwig tour.
It was also covered by Waysted
in their 1985 album The Good The Bad and The Waysted. The song is a staple of their live set since.
Japanese band The Joint, recorded a version with changed lyrics (mostly in Japanese about being constantly drunk) on their CD Hoochie Coochie Men.
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
. It originally appeared under the name "Around & Around" as the B-side to the single "Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode
"Johnny B. Goode" is a 1958 rock and roll song written and originally performed by American musician Chuck Berry. The song was a major hit among both black and white audiences peaking at #2 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song is one of Chuck Berry's...
".
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
covered the song on their EP, Five by Five and second US album 12 X 5
12 X 5
-Personnel:The Rolling Stones*Mick Jagger – lead vocals, harmonica, and percussion*Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, and backing vocals*Brian Jones – electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, tambourine and backing vocals...
in 1964. In October 1964, they performed the song as part of their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. In 1964 the Stones opened their famed TAMI Show with the song. It was also included on the 1977 live album Love You Live
Love You Live
Love You Live is a double live album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1977. It is drawn from Tour of the Americas shows in the US in the summer of 1975, Tour of Europe shows in 1976 and performances from the infamous El Mocambo nightclub concert venue in Toronto in 1977...
, as part of the El Mocambo
El Mocambo
The El Mocambo Tavern is a live music and entertainment venue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located on Spadina Avenue, just south of College Street, the bar played an important role in the development of popular music in Toronto since the 19th century...
club gig in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Other artists
The AnimalsThe Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
covered it also in 1964. Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
had it also included on some of his live sets.
The song was a staple of the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
, who played it in concert over 400 times between 1970 and 1995. It appears on 19 Grateful Dead albums, and 9 more by related acts from the Grateful Dead family.
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
recorded the song in 1971, produced by Ken Scott
Ken Scott
Ken Scott is an English record producer and recording engineer.-Career:Scott started at the age of 16 working in the tape library at Abbey Road Studios. He became a recording engineer working with such acts as The Beatles, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Procol Harum...
, under the title "Round and Round". It was released as the B-side of the single "Drive-In Saturday
Drive-In Saturday
"Drive-In Saturday" is a song by David Bowie from his 1973 album Aladdin Sane. It was released as a single a week before the album and, like its predecessor "The Jean Genie", became a Top 3 UK hit.-Music and lyrics:...
" in April 1973. This is one of David Bowie's more rare recordings. It was also found on the compilations Rare (1983) and the Sound and Vision box set. Picture disc versions was released in both the RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
Life Time picture disc set and the Fashion Picture Disc Set. In 2002 it was released on the Ziggy Stardust - 30th Anniversary Reissue
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a 1972 concept album by English musician David Bowie, which is loosely based on a story of a rock star named Ziggy Stardust. It peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number 75 in the United States on the Billboard Music...
bonus disc.
Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
placed the song in his "Rock 'n Roll Medley" during his 1989 tour for a short time.
38 Special covered the song on their 1977 self titled debut album.
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
of The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
also recorded the song for her 1981 debut solo album Playin' Possum
Playin' Possum
Playin' Possum is the 1982 debut solo album by Maureen Tucker of The Velvet Underground. The album features a number of renditions of classic rock and roll songs, , as well as renditions of more modern rock songs Playin' Possum is the 1982 debut solo album by Maureen Tucker of The Velvet...
. It was released as a single as a double a-side with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?".
American Punk Rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band, The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
released their version of the song which is included on the posthumous What We Do Is Secret EP
What We Do Is Secret (EP)
What We Do Is Secret is a 12" compilation of material recorded by The Germs and released posthumously by Slash Records in the United States in 1981 as SREP-108...
released in 1981, as well as (MIA): The Complete Anthology released in 1993. Although originally a Chuck Berry song, their version is much closer to David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's version. Lead singer, Darby Crash
Darby Crash
Darby Crash was an American punk musician who, along with long time friend Pat Smear , co-founded The Germs...
was heavily influenced by Bowie, as well as other members of the band.
Dayton, Ohio based indie rock band Guided By Voices has regularly included the song in their live sets since their 1996 Mag Earwig tour.
It was also covered by Waysted
Waysted
Waysted are a heavy metal band formed by UFO bassist Pete Way and Scottish rocker Fin Muir in 1983. Recruiting Frank Noon , Ronnie Kayfield and Paul Raymond, Waysted signed to Chrysalis Records and released Vices in 1983....
in their 1985 album The Good The Bad and The Waysted. The song is a staple of their live set since.
Japanese band The Joint, recorded a version with changed lyrics (mostly in Japanese about being constantly drunk) on their CD Hoochie Coochie Men.