By admin 
The Animals, a dominant force in the 1960s rock and blues scene, delivered a spectacular blend of raw emotion and driving rhythm with their track “Around & Around.” This song, featured on their self-titled debut album, remains an electrifying experience that continues to captivate fans more than half a century later.
Emerging from the vibrant British rock movement, The Animals carved out a niche by blending gritty British rock with deep blues influences. “Around & Around” stands as a testament to their musical prowess, showcasing a harmonious collision of electrifying guitars, spirited piano, and soulful vocals. This track is far more than just a song; it encapsulates a sonic journey imbued with passion, energy, and thematic depth.
The song opens with a commanding guitar riff that sets a potent, upbeat tempo. The layered guitars carry a balance of distortion and clarity, driving the song forward with a dynamic back-and-forth between rhythm and lead parts. John O’Neal, a longtime music historian, notes,
“The guitars in ‘Around & Around’ aren’t just instruments—they’re storytellers, speaking in electrified tongues that captured the vibrancy of an era.”
Complementing the guitars, the piano’s rollicking, percussive notes channel the spirit of early rock legends like Jerry Lee Lewis, adding a nostalgic depth while amplifying the track’s lively energy. The bass and drums lock into a steady, compelling foundation that keeps the momentum relentless.
At the core is Eric Burdon’s raw and raspy vocal delivery. His voice carries urgency and poignant emotion, lifting the lyrics beyond mere sound to a heartfelt proclamation. Jane Willis, a music critic specializing in classic rock, describes Burdon’s performance:
“Eric Burdon’s voice is the pulse of The Animals—raw, urgent, and deeply emotional. In ‘Around & Around,’ he captures the restless pursuit of life’s ever-turning cycles with an intensity that is both gripping and timeless.”
The clever interplay of instruments creates a whirlwind sonic landscape marked by rhythmic shifts and syncopation. This helps mirror the song’s themes of motion and change, emphasizing life’s persistent cycles and the universal human desire for growth and progress. The call-and-response structure rooted in blues tradition adds an emotional charge that pulls listeners into the song’s evolving narrative.
Beyond its musical complexity, “Around & Around” also resonates on a thematic level. It portrays life’s unpredictability and the drive to embrace its chaos. Through its energetic beats and passionate delivery, the song becomes an anthem urging listeners to move forward, reflecting on highs and lows with open arms.
For those drawn to “Around & Around,” similar tracks can enrich any playlist, including Chuck Berry’s high-octane “Johnny B. Goode,” The Rolling Stones’ blues-infused “It’s All Over Now,” and Jerry Lee Lewis’s iconic “Great Balls of Fire.” Each carries the same blues-and-rock spirit that defined The Animals’ distinctive sound.
The enduring relevance of “Around & Around” lies in its perfect marriage of classic blues foundations with the rebellious edge of rock and roll. Its electric guitars, spirited piano, and evocative vocals combine to create a powerful listening experience that neither time nor changing music trends have faded.
As listeners old and new rediscover the roots of rock through The Animals’ dynamic catalog, “Around & Around” remains a shining example of the band’s genius. It is more than a song—it’s a testament to the everlasting power of music to move both body and soul, a reminder that true artistry never fades from the hearts of those willing to listen.