Ronald Belford “Bon” Scott was born on 9th July, 1946, in Kirriemuir, Scotland. At the age of 6, Scott's family emigrated to Australia. He grew up in Perth, learned drums and bagpipes in the local Scots pipe band. He always had problems with rules, and this resulted with his dropping out of school at the young age of 15. Scott spent a short time in Fremantle Prison in the assessment centre, and nine months at the Riverbank Juvenile Institution relating to charges of giving a false name and address to the police, having escaped legal custody, having unlawful carnal knowledge, and stealing twelve gallons of petrol.[1] He briefly served in the Australian Army, but was discharged for being socially maladjusted. After his first band The Spektors, he formed The Valentines as co-lead singer with Vince Lovegrove. The Valentines recorded several songs written by George Young of The Easybeats including "Every Day I Have To Cry" which made the local top 5. During his tenure with The Valentines, he was one of the first Aussie Rockers to be charged with possession of marijuana. Scott moved to Adelaide and joined the band Fraternity. The band produced the LPs "My Old Man's a Groovy Old Man" and "Flaming Galah" after moving to Sydney, and toured Europe in 1971.
In 1973, just after returning home from a tour of England, Fraternity went into a form of suspended animation. In this period, Scott started playing for a band named Peter Head's Mount Lofty Rangers. It was after leaving a rehearsal with them that Scott got into a motorcycle accident and suffered serious injuries. Fraternity reformed, replacing Scott with now-legendary singer Jimmy Barnes.
The following year, while doing odd jobs in the Adelaide music scene, Scott first met the members of AC/DC, while working as a chauffeur. The band was driven by the brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, younger siblings of Scott's friend George Young. Scott was impressed by the band's energy and drive, and the naive bandmates were, in turn, quite taken with the experienced frontman. When AC/DC fired their original singer, Scott replaced him.
In a 2002 interview on Australian radio station Triple J, Angus Young cited how Scott was much older than his band mates. Scott's advice to Angus (the youngest member of the band) was "Whatever I do, you don't!". Scott quickly turned AC/DC from a glam band to a stripped back, foot stompin', no-nonsense rock band.
At the helm of AC/DC, Bon was arguably the most charismatic front man Australia has ever seen. His tough-yet-cheeky persona on stage made him a macho icon that men revelled in and girls loved. His high-pitched vocals, mullet hairstyle, short stature, larrikin nature and loutish behaviour rolled up into an image that's been one of the most enduring in rock history. However, Scott was also notorious for being a heavy drinker and this would eventually lead to tragedy. After a night of heavy drinking in London's Camden Town, he passed out in a friend's car and was left to "sleep it off". He was found dead in the early hours of February 19th, 1980. He was 33 years old. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was "Acute alcoholic poisoning" and "Death by Misadventure"
Shortly after his death, British singer Brian Johnson replaced him, and AC/DC recorded Back in Black, which is to this day the second best-selling album of all time. The album cover was all black as a tribute to Bon Scott.
Scott was cremated and his ashes spread in Fremantle Cemetery. Sailors and other debaucherous folk are known to pay tribute to Scott by drinking at his grave.
The gravesite of Bon Scott, the legendary lead singer of veteran rockers AC/DC, has become one of Australia's most treasured cultural icons (2006). More than 26 years after Scott's death, the National Trust of Australia has decreed his grave in Fremantle cemetery important enough to be included on the list of classified heritage places.
Kirriemuir recently unveiled a plaque in memory of Bon. It is sited on the doorstep of the Tourist Information Centre in Cumberland Close.
His very last recorded song was a version of "Ride On" withFrench heavy-metal band Trust.
Round And Round
Bon Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For everyone to see
But the price they couldn't afford
So I guess it wasn't meant to be
I found a mansion up in the sky
But you didn't want to pay the rent
I can always get by
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
I can go a hundred miles an hour
But you put me in a no-speeding zone
I live in an ivory tower
With a bath and a telephone
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
I got a ship that'll go to the moon
But your feet are stuck on the ground
Play that funky little tune
That just goes around and round
Round, round, round
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
That just goes around and round
Round, round, round
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
That just goes around and round
Round, round, round
Round and round and round
Lay me on the ground
And in and up and down it goes
The lyrics to Bon Scott's song Round and Round seem to be about material possessions and the pursuit of pleasure. In the first verse, Scott talks about writing an answer on the blackboard for everyone to see, but the price was too high for them to afford, indicating that material possessions and success come at a price that not everyone is willing or able to pay. The second verse talks about a mansion in the sky that the person didn't want to pay rent for, but Scott doesn't seem to mind because his pleasure doesn't cost him anything. The chorus talks about going round and round, and in up and down, which could be interpreted as the cycle of materialism and the pursuit of pleasure.
The third verse seems to be about Scott feeling restricted by someone else's expectations, as he talks about being able to go a hundred miles an hour but being stuck in a no-speeding zone. He then talks about living in an ivory tower, which represents a life of luxury and detachment from the world. The final repetition of the chorus talks about a ship that can go to the moon, representing limitless possibility and freedom, but the person is still stuck on the ground.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the superficiality and emptiness of materialism and the pursuit of pleasure. Scott is saying that he can find pleasure without spending money and possessions aren't everything.
Line by Line Meaning
I WROTE THE ANSWER UP ON THE BLACKBOARD
FOR EV’RY ONE TO SEE
I provided a solution that was readily available for anyone to see.
BUT THE PRICE THEY COULDN’T AFFORD
SO I GUESS IT WASN’T MEANT TO BE
The proposed cost for implementing the solution was too high for those involved, and thus it wasn't feasible.
FOUND A MANSION UP IN THE SKY
BUT YOU DIDN’T WANNA PAY THE RENT
I discovered a place of great value and potential, but others were not willing to contribute to make it a reality.
BUT I, CAN ALWAYS GET BY
‘COS MY PLEASURE DON’T COST ME A CENT
Despite the lack of support from others, I am content with what I have, as my happiness does not require materialistic wealth.
“ROUND & ROUND & ROUND,
LAY ME ON THE GROUND,
& IN & UP & DOWN, IT GOES”
Life is an endless cycle, with its unpredictable twists and turns that can bring you to the ground or lift you to new heights.
I CAN GO A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR
BUT YOU PUT ME IN A NO-SPEEDIN’ ZONE
Although I have the capacity to progress rapidly, I am being held back by others imposing restrictions.
I LIVE IN AN IVORY TOWER
WITH A BATH AND A TELEPHONE
I have created a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle for myself to escape the difficulties of the outside world.
I GOT A SHIP THAT’LL GO TO THE MOON
BUT YOUR FEET ARE STUCK ON THE GROUND
I possess the ability to reach great heights, but those around me are unable to keep up due to their limited perspective.
PLAY THAT FUNKY LITTLE TUNE
THAT JUST GOES ROUND, & ROUND & ROUND
Regardless of the circumstances, one should enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life that bring joy and happiness.
“ROUND & ROUND & ROUND,
LAY ME ON THE GROUND,
& IN & UP & DOWN, IT GOES” (3X)
IN & UP & DOWN, IT GOES.
Life is an unpredictable cycle of highs and lows, and its journey is never-ending.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind