After the success of their self-titled E.P., Ratt signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and that deal brought us the incredible debut album ‘Out of the Cellar’.  On March 27th, 1984, the album was released and thanks to MTV, the band became a huge sensation. However, prior to the album release, the band’s first single, “Round and Round”, was released on February 19, 1984. And that single is what we are discussing today. I found my copy while I was digging down in Florida while on vacation at a place called D&J Records, I believe. It is a standard US pressing, but I do love the close-up of Tawny Kitaen on the cover even if it is a zoomed in look of the album cover. I actually found 2 Ratt singles, so next week we will talk the other.

A-SIDE:

“Round And Round” is the band’s biggest single. Instantly, the song pulls you in and you can tell it is something special as it reached #12 on the Hot 100. And over time has been ranked as one of the greatest Heavy Metal Songs of all time as Rolling Stone ranked it at #20 on their 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time! And that was back in 2023. I wonder if that ranking is in small part due to its heavy usage in the Geico Insurance commercials. Who knows.

One of the biggest reasons this song was a hit was MTV and the music video for this song. MTV played the crap out of this song, but for me was the fact that in the video was the legendary Milton Berle. Yes, Uncle Miltie himself was in the video all dressed in drag thanks in large part to his nephew Marshall Berle who was the band’s manager. It is a funny video and a memorable one too as Warren DeMartini falls through the floor on to the dining room table and does a wicked solo. The song is pure glam rock, with a huge chorus, a sleazy sound, a speedy solo and all the passion of the Sunset Strip.

B-SIDE:

“The Morning After” is the B-Side and it comes rocketing off with one helluva guitar riff.  The upbeat track is strong and delivers another massive punch and another catchy, fun rock song.  I love the line “Say bye, bye” right before the guitar solo that blows your ears off. It is Ratt at their sleaziest.

And there is the first of the 2 Ratt singles found on the vacation dig. See you next week…