As teens Edgar and Johnny (who is three years older than Edgar) began performing together at local watering holes such as Tom's Fish Camp. The two played in R&B and blues groups; Johnny and the Jammers, The Crystaliers, and The Black Plague. By the time he was of college age Edgar had become competent on keyboards, bass, guitar and drums.
After recording with his brother, Clive Davis gave Edgar the green light to go solo, creating whatever he wanted. An unaclaimed, eclectic black vinyl called Entrance was released and so was the talent and magnetism of Edgar Winter.
Johnny's nimble fingers and fine-tuned hearing made up for poor eyesight, making him rich and respected....and making him famous first. Edgar would settle forever settle as Johnny's little brother...but his talent...and ability to recognize and attract talent, would keep Edgar continually evolving.
Edgar was signed to his own Epic Records contract in 1970 and recorded several albums, including Entrance and Edgar Winter's White Trash. In 1972 he formed The Edgar Winter Group which included Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff. It was with this band that he had his biggest successes: first with the 1973 album They Only Come Out at Night which featured the #1 hit instrumental "Frankenstein" which reached number one in the U.S. in May 1973 and the top 15 single "Free Ride;" which reached number 14 that same year, then the album Shock Treatment which featured the song "Easy Street".
Originally called the drum song in development, there was so much tape on the cutting room floor the song earned its name and Edgar's fame.
Edgar's wealth of talent, ironically included not playing instruments....but using his voice as one as well. Who won the Tabacco Road duel -- the guitar or Edgar? And yet, for the Albino outward appearance, Edgar Winter's inward ability left a mark on generations: "Why am Dying to Live If I'm Only Living to Die?"
The preponderance of vocals and songwriting by Hartman on Shock Treatment led to the release of Jasmine Nightdreams with all vocals by Winter. It was nominally a solo album, but it used the same personnel as the Edgar Winter Group. A full band album followed, the Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer, featuring songs and vocals by Derringer.
Success was waning, however, and Edgar teamed with brother Johnny for a live album of blues and early rock classics, including Harlem Shuffle (later a revival hit for the Rolling Stones). This album too performed below expectations, so the White Trash was reformed. They recorded Recycled, and toured as an opening act to support the album. The tour was cut short by a tragic plane crash, which killed some members of the tour's headliner, Lynyrd Skynyrd. This was followed by two solo albums, an attempt at literate disco on the Edgar Winter Album and a return to 1970s rock on Standing on Rock. Since then there have been more obscure solo albums and session work, namely with David Lee Roth on Crazy from the Heat in 1985, which included a cover version of the song "Easy Street".
With over 20 albums and many television and radio appearances both to promote his music—and to give his opinion on everything politically incorrect— Edgar Winter's music is solidly in the popular vein. Winter's 1970s albums are bluesier than his later albums, but there are blues tunes like "Big City Woman" on his 1990 album Not a Kid Anymore. In 2005, "Frankenstein" was featured in the PlayStation 2 music video game Guitar Hero.
In 2006, Winter joined Hamish Stuart, Rod Argent, Richard Marx, Billy Squier, and Sheila E touring with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
Round & Round
Edgar Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wouldn′t be much fun if she was any other way
One day she's warm next day she′s cold
One day she's young and then the next day she's old
So round and round and round she goes
And where she stops nobody knows
Love is the feelin′ that grows that grows
She tries to understand the things that I do
Without ever thinking what she puts me though
I′ll never be the thing she wants me to me
Until she loves enough to set me free
So round and round and round I go
And where I stop I don't know
Love is the feelin′ that grows that grows
And where it stops nobody knows
Our life is short to be so long
Our minds are weak to be so strong
Alone together we come and go
But where we're goin′ I don't know
Round and round and round we go
And where we′ll stop I don't know
Love is the feelin' that grows that grows
And where it stops nobody knows
Round and round and round it goes
And where she stops nobody knows
(Now) love is the feelin′ that grows that grows
And where it stops nobody knows, nobody knows
The lyrics of Edgar Winter's "Round & Round" explore the uncertain and ever-changing nature of love. The singer is in love with a woman who seems to shift and transform daily, making it difficult for him to keep up with her. He acknowledges that this is part of what makes her unique and interesting but is also challenging for him. Similarly, the woman in the song is trying to understand the singer's actions but is not considering the impact her own behavior has on him.
The repetition of the phrase "round and round" throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of relationships and love. It seems that the lovers are caught in a never-ending dance, unsure of where it will take them. The chorus, which asserts that "love is the feeling that grows," suggests that despite the uncertainty, the singer still feels that their love is worth pursuing.
Winter's use of metaphors throughout the song helps to illustrate the complexity of relationships. The lines "our life is short to be so long" and "our minds are weak to be so strong" speak to how overwhelming love can be. Even though our lives may be short, love can make moments feel eternal. And even though we may think we are in control of our emotions, love can be so powerful that it completely consumes us.
Overall, "Round & Round" is a thoughtful exploration of the contradictions and uncertainties that come with being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to love her but she changes everyday
I attempted to love her, but she is not predictable, as she undergoes alterations on a daily basis.
Wouldn′t be much fun if she was any other way
It would not be enjoyable at all if she were not constantly changing.
One day she's warm next day she′s cold
Sometimes she is affectionate, and on other occasions she is unresponsive and distant.
One day she's young and then the next day she's old
She has extremely variable moods and attitudes, much like the aging of a temporary object.
So round and round and round she goes
She cycles and rotates continuously and persistently.
And where she stops nobody knows
It's unclear where her constant transformations will end up taking her or how they will play out.
Love is the feelin′ that grows that grows
Love is the internal and subjective experience that grows continually over time.
And where it stops nobody knows
Nobody can predict how long love can keep growing or when it will reach its final destination.
She tries to understand the things that I do
She makes an attempt to comprehend my actions and decisions.
Without ever thinking what she puts me though
She doesn't realize how much stress or difficulty she is causing me through her own actions and decisions.
I′ll never be the thing she wants me to me
I can never be what she desires me to be.
Until she loves enough to set me free
She will not be able to liberate me until she genuinely loves me and lets me go.
Our life is short to be so long
Our existence is brief, yet it feels interminable.
Our minds are weak to be so strong
Our intellect is frail in contrast to our apparent resilience.
Alone together we come and go
Although we exist around one another, we each have our own solitary journey.
But where we're goin′ I don't know
However, I am unsure of the direction in which we are all heading.
Round and round and round we go
We spin around and around aimlessly and endlessly.
And where we′ll stop I don't know
It's impossible for me to predict where we will arrive as we keep moving in circles.
(Now) love is the feelin′ that grows that grows
Love is the internal and subjective experience that grows continually over time.
And where it stops nobody knows, nobody knows
Nobody can predict how long love can keep growing or when it will reach its final destination; this is a mystery to everyone.
Writer(s): Edgar Winter
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@serenetime1
I remember being the front room of my apartment dancing & spinning around to this song. I just love it even now.
@paulpeterson5215
Lol we all danced around listening to the album. I love this song. I'm 67 now, and still love 70s rock.
@pete3883
Stoned?
@ladydisdesire6083
I wore this record out a million years ago, and still listen today....beautiful <3 memories
@angelaallen340
Still listening July 2021
@danielgolus4600
"Million years" for a 50-year old record! You must've really loved it.
@raypowersmusic
This is, by far, the most underappreciated cut on the album. Someone once asked me in an interview 'What's the one song you wish you had written yourself?' This is the one.
@EddieRidenour
I'm 66 years old. They sound so much better than the song they play now.❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉
@ProZo17
I'm 13 and I wish I could have lived back in the 70's... I absolutely love that era...
@Benji8461
One of my all time favorites as well. Btw, that's Ronnie Montrose on Rhythm guitar and Rick Derringer on pedal steel guitar.
:)