Round and Round
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, the joint was rocking
Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Well it sounded so sweet
I had to take me a chance
I rose out of my seat
And had to dance
I started moving my feet
And clapping my hands

Yeah, we kept on rocking
Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

About twelve o'clock
When the place was packed
The front doors were locked
I said the place was packed
When the police knocked
Those doors flew back

But kept on rocking
Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Yeah

About twelve o'clock
Around lock up time
Well, the doors were locked
Said the place was packed
When the police knocked
Those doors flew back

But it kept on rocking
Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Yeah, it kept on rocking
Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound




Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Overall Meaning

David Bowie's "Round and Round" is a rock and roll song that describes a night out at a concert or a club that is so fun-filled and electrifying that it goes on until the wee hours of the morning. The lyrics effectively capture the joyous atmosphere, the dancing, the clapping, and the energy. The song starts with the singer describing a joint that is rocking; people are reeling and rocking to the crazy sound, and they keep on dancing until the moon goes down. The singer cannot resist joining in, and soon starts clapping his hands and moving his feet. The song emphasizes the energy and fun of rock and roll music, and how it can get people moving and grooving when the spirit takes them.


The second verse describes how the place is packed, and the doors are locked as the party goes on. Even when the police try to break it up, the music keeps on going, and the crowd keeps on rocking until the moon goes down. The lyrics convey a sense of rebellion in the face of traditional authority with the police trying to break the party, but the people keep on dancing, and the music keeps on playing. David Bowie's "Round and Round" captures the essence of rock and roll spirit, which is to keep the music going and to keep on dancing no matter what.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, the joint was rocking
The atmosphere at the place was lively and energetic


Going round 'n' round
The music and dancing continued in a continuous loop


Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
The people were dancing and having a great time


What a crazy sound
The music was unique and exciting


Well, they never stopped rocking
The energy and excitement never diminished


'Til the moon went down
The festivities carried on late into the night


About twelve o'clock
It was midnight


When the place was packed
The venue was filled with people


The front doors were locked
No one else could come in


I said the place was packed
I noted again how crowded it was


When the police knocked
Law enforcement arrived


Those doors flew back
The doors were opened by the staff


About twelve o'clock
It was midnight


Around lock up time
It was close to when the venue would normally close


Yeah
An exclamation of enthusiasm or agreement


Yeah, it kept on rocking
The party and good times persisted




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FEFE DOBSON, JEFF HALAVACS, KEVIN RUDOLF, JACOB KASHER HINDLIN, ANDREW BOLOOKI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@CamVonBarren

Well, the joint was rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Well it sounded so sweet
I had to take me a chance
I rose out of my seat
And had to dance
I started moving my feet
And clapping my hands

Yeah, we kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

About twelve o'clock
When the place was packed
The front doors were locked
I said the place was packed
When the police knocked
Those doors flew back

But kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Yeah

About twelve o'clock
Around lock up time
Well, the doors were locked
Said the place was packed
When the police knocked
Those doors flew back

But it kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Yeah, it kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down



All comments from YouTube:

@Goatchild90

I'm glad Bowie did this when he had Mick Ronson on guitar. That was a dangerous combination!!!!!!

@stevenhaywood6027

Joshua Stephens , Mick's guitar is what makes this great to me, as well as Bowie's vocal. I had this as b side to Drive In Saturday too.!
sttgaegoaktd

@kevindouglas8652

Some sources claim this is Jeff Beck on guitar.As he finished the tour in 1973.

@rabbitingscountrypark8933

THAT is Mick Ronson!!!!

@terrypussypower

@@kevindouglas8652 It’s Mick Ronson!
I’d recognise his sound anywhere! Plus that fact that the Aladdin Sane sessions, where “Round And Round” was recorded, were finished well before the last date on the Ziggy tour!

1 More Replies...

@speakertreatz

got to be one of my favourite guitar solos ever, it just blazes through the song!

@davethestores

amazing guitar work by Mick Ronson RIP

@agamomma

David Bowie is just so cool. I'm speechless. 😍⚡️💃🏻

@CamVonBarren

Well, the joint was rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Well it sounded so sweet
I had to take me a chance
I rose out of my seat
And had to dance
I started moving my feet
And clapping my hands

Yeah, we kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

About twelve o'clock
When the place was packed
The front doors were locked
I said the place was packed
When the police knocked
Those doors flew back

But kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Yeah

About twelve o'clock
Around lock up time
Well, the doors were locked
Said the place was packed
When the police knocked
Those doors flew back

But it kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

Yeah, it kept on rocking

Going round 'n' round
Yeah, reeling and a-rocking
What a crazy sound
Well, they never stopped rocking
'Til the moon went down

@PaulMcCartGuitarTracks

The Spiders did this for a second encore when I saw them in Cleveland in '72. I never knew hat song it was till I read an inteview today with Woody. Thanks for posting.

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