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Around and Around

"Around and Around" is a rock and roll song written and first recorded by on February 28, 1958, at Chess Studios in . It was released in March 1958 as the B-side to Berry's single "" on (catalog number 1691), with a runtime of 2:39 in its original version. Produced by Leonard and Phil Chess, the track features Berry on vocals and guitar, backed by Johnnie Johnson on piano, Jasper Thomas on drums, and overdubbed bass by Bob Bushnell. The song's energetic rhythm and lyrics depicting a lively dance scene at a rocking joint exemplify Berry's signature style of blending blues, country, and R&B influences into early rock and roll. Though not a major chart hit on its own, "Around and Around" gained prominence through its inclusion on Berry's 1959 album and subsequent compilations like (1982). Its infectious guitar riff and driving beat made it a live staple for Berry, with recorded performances spanning from 1967 to 2006. "Around and Around" achieved widespread recognition via covers by prominent rock acts, most notably The Rolling Stones, who re-recorded it in 1964 for their EP Five by Five (released August 14, 1964) and album 12 × 5 (released October 1964). The Stones' version, featuring Keith Richards on lead guitar and Mick Jagger on vocals, became a concert favorite and was performed on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 25, 1964, marking their U.S. television debut. Other influential covers include those by the Grateful Dead, who incorporated it into their sets starting in 1970 as a high-energy jam vehicle, and David Bowie, who recorded it in 1971 during sessions for The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. These renditions underscore the song's enduring impact on rock music, highlighting Berry's foundational role in the genre.

Chuck Berry's original version

Composition and recording

"Around and Around" was written solely by , who also performed lead vocals and guitar on the track, drawing from his characteristic storytelling approach that infused with themes of youthful exuberance and rhythmic motion. Berry's lyrics often captured the vitality of teenage life, and in this song, he evokes an endless night of revelry at a party, emphasizing perpetual energy through repetitive phrases like "goin' round and round." The song was recorded on February 28, 1958, at Chess Studios in , . Produced by Leonard and Phil Chess, the session featured Berry on guitar and vocals, accompanied by pianist Johnnie Johnson, drummer Jasper Thomas, and overdubbed bass by Bob Bushnell, capturing Berry's driving sound rooted in traditions. Musically, "Around and Around" follows a classic 12-bar progression in the key of , propelled by Berry's signature riff that alternates between patterns and energetic strums. The track clocks in at 2:20, blending 's upbeat tempo with y chord changes to create a sense of nonstop motion that mirrors the song's lyrical depiction of an all-night . This structure highlights Berry's innovation in merging accessible forms with the high-energy appeal of emerging .

Release and reception

"Around and Around" was released on March 31, 1958, as the B-side to the "" on (catalog number 1691). This pairing positioned the track within Chuck Berry's extensive catalog of releases on Chess, capitalizing on the momentum of his emerging stardom with the A-side's narrative-driven rock staple. While "Johnny B. Goode" achieved commercial success, reaching number 8 on the Hot R&B Sides chart and number 2 on the Hot 100, "Around and Around" did not chart prominently in its own right, staying outside the Top 100. Nonetheless, the song built grassroots appeal through radio airplay and placements, contributing to its status as one of Berry's enduring early compositions. Early critical responses highlighted the track's vibrant rhythm and Berry's signature guitar riffs, with music critic later commending the infectious energy in Berry's performance style and his innovative guitar technique that blended and elements. The song's lasting recognition is evident in its inclusion on influential compilations like (1982), which curated Berry's key works and underscored "Around and Around" as a cornerstone of his 1950s output.

Cover versions

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones recorded their version of "Around and Around" during their first U.S. tour in June 1964 at in , the legendary label's facility at . Produced by , the session captured the band's raw energy as they paid homage to their and rock 'n' roll influences, with pianist Ian Stewart contributing flourishes on the keys to enhance the track's driving rhythm. This adaptation of Chuck Berry's original emphasized the Stones' gritty interpretation, blending Jagger's dynamic vocals and Richards' guitar work with the group's emerging sound. The song debuted on the band's Five by Five EP, released on August 14, 1964 by in the UK, which showcased live-flavored tracks from the Chess sessions. In the U.S., it appeared as the opening track on their second album, 12 X 5, issued in October 1964 by London Records, helping solidify their transatlantic presence amid the . Over the years, the recording has been reissued on various compilations, including the comprehensive Singles Collection: The London Years in 2002, preserving its place in the band's early catalog. "Around and Around" became a live staple for the Stones, highlighting their high-energy performances during the 1964-1965 tours. It opened their U.S. television debut on on October 25, 1964, where the band delivered an electrifying rendition that captivated American audiences. Later that year, they performed it at the in , further boosting their stateside popularity. The song remained in their setlists through the mid-1960s before a revival in the 1970s, including at Fair on August 21, 1976, where it showcased their enduring rock 'n' roll roots. Captured live during the 1975-1977 tours, it appeared on the double album , released in 1977. The band brought it back decades later for the tour, performing it on December 13, 2012, at the in , as documented on the GRRR Live! release.

David Bowie

David Bowie recorded a cover of Chuck Berry's "Around and Around" during the sessions for his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of and , retitling it "Round and Round" and infusing it with a arrangement that highlighted Mick Ronson's prominent work. The track was cut in November 1971 at in , with production handled by and minimal overdubs applied to the basic lineup of Bowie on vocals, Ronson on guitar, on bass, and on drums. This version accelerated the tempo from the original and repositioned the guitar solo after the second verse, giving it a raw, energetic edge suited to Bowie's emerging persona. Initially slotted into the album's running order—compiled as early as December 15, 1971—"Round and Round" was ultimately replaced by the newly written "Starman" following feedback from RCA executives seeking a stronger single candidate. Its status as an outtake from Ziggy Stardust has been affirmed through official releases from Bowie's estate archives, including alternate mixes and session notes in subsequent box sets. The studio recording of "Round and Round" first appeared as the B-side to Bowie's "Drive-In Saturday" single, issued by on April 6, 1973. It later featured on the 1982 Rare, the 2015 box set Five Years (1969–1973) as part of Re:Call 1, and a live rendition with on the 50th anniversary edition of : The Motion Picture soundtrack in 2023. Bowie incorporated "Round and Round" into live sets during the starting in September 1971, often as an encore to capture the high-energy rock 'n' roll spirit of the era. It received a notable performance on July 3, 1973, at London's Hammersmith Odeon during the tour's farewell show, where joined on guitar for an extended jam that closed the concert—though this version was omitted from the original 1973 and album release, it was restored for the 2023 edition. The song appeared occasionally as an encore through the 1973–1974 tours, maintaining its role as a lively nod to rock influences amid Bowie's evolving stage spectacles.

Other artists

In the 1960s, several British Invasion-era bands adapted "Around and Around" to their energetic styles. The Swinging Blue Jeans included a Merseybeat-infused version on their 1964 debut album Blue Jeans a'Swinging, capturing the song's rhythmic drive with harmonious vocals and jangly guitars. Similarly, The Animals recorded it for their 1964 U.S. and U.K. debut albums The Animals and Animal Tracks, delivering a raw, bluesy rendition that highlighted Eric Burdon's gritty vocals; the track also appeared in their performance in the film Get Yourself a College Girl. The 1970s and 1980s saw covers spanning , , and minimalist aesthetics. .38 Special opened their 1977 self-titled debut with a straightforward take, emphasizing guitar riffs and ' soaring leads to suit their arena-ready sound. Waysted, featuring UFO bassist , delivered a version on their 1985 The Good the Bad the Waysted, infusing the track with heavy distortion and Fin's powerful vocals. In 1981, drummer Maureen Tucker recorded a lo-fi, one-woman rendition for her solo debut Playin' Possum, playing all instruments herself in a sparse, garage-rock style that stripped the song to its primal elements. During his 1989 world tour, incorporated "Around and Around" into a rock 'n' roll medley alongside other classics like "" and "," performed with theatrical flair in live sets. From the 1990s through the 2010s, the song's versatility shone in scenes and traditions. Argentine band Los Piojos featured it in a medley with The Who's "" (as "Zapatos de Gamuza Azul") on their 1999 live Ritual, blending it into an extended, high-energy jam reflective of their fusion style. outfit frequently performed it live starting in 1996, incorporating the cover into their prolific sets as a nod to influences amid their short, punchy originals. The made it a staple, playing "Around and Around" over 400 times between 1970 and 1995—totaling 418 documented performances—and featuring extended jam versions on 19 live releases, including the Dick's Picks series, where it often served as a high-octane encore. pioneers the Germs delivered a raw, chaotic take on their 1981 posthumous EP What We Do Is Secret, accelerating the tempo to match their aggressive sound. In 2016, recorded a grunge-tinged version as the B-side to their annual Ten Club Christmas single (paired with a of "Alive"), paying homage to Berry's influence with Eddie Vedder's emotive delivery. These covers illustrate "Around and Around"'s enduring adaptability, from pop-inflected interpretations to expansive jam extensions and punk deconstructions, underscoring its rhythmic core across diverse genres.

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