Ratt’s 1984 hit “Round and Round” was written by Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, and Robbin Crosby and serves as the lead single from their debut album, Out of the Cellar. The song’s origins trace back to 1981 when DeMartini, then not yet a band member, began developing guitar riffs in the apartment of Ratt guitarist Jake E. Lee. After Lee left for Ozzy Osbourne’s band, DeMartini joined Ratt, bringing the demo to Pearcy and Crosby, who completed the track in a cramped Hollywood apartment dubbed “Ratt Mansion West” using a cassette bouncing technique.
The band initially did not recognize the song’s commercial potential, leaving it off their 1983 independent EP. However, producer Beau Hill identified it as a hit during the Out of the Cellar sessions, insisting the band record their entire repertoire to tape. Hill added the bridge section (“You’d put an arrow through my heart“) to enhance the song’s dynamic flow, transforming it from a raw jam into a polished anthem.
Released in March 1984 by Atlantic Records, the track became a defining moment for the Sunset Strip glam metal scene. The song’s lyrics reflect the band’s street-level origins and camaraderie, with Pearcy describing it as a declaration of their identity. It achieved significant chart success, reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the US Mainstream Rock chart, solidifying Ratt’s mainstream breakthrough.
[Verse 1]
Out on the streets, that’s where we’ll meet
You make the night, I always cross the line
Tightened our belts, abused ourselves
Get in our way, we’ll put you on your shelf
Another day, some other way
We’re gonna go, but then we’ll see you again
I’ve had enough, we’ve had enough
Cold and vain, she said
[Pre-Chorus]
“I knew right from the beginnin’
That you would end up winnin’
I knew right from the start
You’d put an arrow through my heart”
[Chorus]
‘Round and ’round
Well, love’ll find a way, just give it time
‘Round and ’round
What comes around goes around, I’ll tell you why
Dig
[Verse 2]
Lookin’ at you lookin’ at me
The way you move, you know it’s easy to see
The neon lights are on me tonight
I’ve got a way, we’re gonna prove it tonight
Like Romeo to Juliet
Time and time, I’m gonna make you mine
I’ve had enough, we’ve had enough
It’s all the same, she said
[Pre-Chorus]
“I knew right from the beginnin’
That you would end up winnin’
I knew right from the start
You’d put an arrow through my heart”
[Chorus]
‘Round and ’round
Well, love’ll find a way, just give it time
‘Round and ’round
What comes around goes around, I’ll tell you why
Yeah
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 1]
Out on the streets, that’s where we’ll meet
You make the night, I always cross the line
Tightened our belts, abused ourselves
Get in our way, we’ll put you on your shelf
[Chorus]
‘Round and ’round
Well, love’ll find a way, just give it time
‘Round and ’round
What comes around goes around, I’ll tell you why
‘Round and ’round
Well, love’ll find a way, just give it time (Time), time (Time), time (Time), time (Time), yeah
‘Round and ’round
What comes around goes around
I’ll tell you why, why, why, why
‘Round and ’round
[Guitar Solo]
