You know that feeling when you're humming a tune but the words just aren't there? Or maybe it’s the other way around. You’ve got a killer phrase stuck in your head, but no music to back it up.
Well, that’s exactly how one of the biggest funk-soul tracks of the 1970s was born.
In 1972, Billy Preston was already a legend in the making. He was the "Fifth Beatle," the guy who sat in on the Let It Be sessions and basically saved the band from imploding through the sheer power of his smile and his Hammond organ. But as a solo artist on A&M Records, he was still looking for that definitive, chart-topping smash. He found it in a moment of total creative frustration.
Will It Go Round in Circles: The Joke That Hit #1
The story goes that Billy walked into the office of his songwriting partner, Bruce Fisher. He wasn't there to write a masterpiece. Honestly, he was just venting.
"I've got a song," he told Fisher, "but I ain't got no melody."
He was joking. He was literally making fun of his own writer’s block. But Fisher, being a sharp-eared collaborator, didn't laugh it off. He told Billy to say that again. They realized the line itself was catchy. It was meta. It was honest.
They sat down and leaned into the absurdity. If you can have a song without a melody, what else can you have?
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- A story with no moral.
- A dance with no steps.
- A sin with no sinner (a bit of a deep cut for a pop song, if you think about it).
They weren't trying to be profound. They were having fun.
Breaking Down the Groove
When you listen to Will It Go Round in Circles, the first thing that hits you isn't the lyrics. It's that staccato, funky keyboard riff. It’s got this rolling, circular feel that perfectly mirrors the title.
The track appeared on his 1972 album Music Is My Life. Fun fact: that album also featured Louis and George Johnson—who would later become the legendary Brothers Johnson. You can hear that "Strawberry Letter 23" level of funk DNA starting to coalesce right here.
It took a minute to catch on, though. Released as a single in March 1973, it didn't just teleport to the top. It climbed. It simmered. By July 1973, it finally bumped George Harrison’s "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" off the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Talk about a full-circle moment for two former bandmates.
The Man Behind the Afro
Billy Preston was a prodigy. There's no other word for it.
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By age ten, he was playing organ for Mahalia Jackson. By twelve, he was acting alongside Nat King Cole in the film St. Louis Blues. He was a human lightning bolt of talent. But his life wasn't all gold records and sunshine.
While Will It Go Round in Circles feels like a party, Billy was navigating a complicated existence. He was a deeply religious man who struggled with his sexuality at a time when the world—and the church—wasn't exactly welcoming. He fought addictions that would eventually catch up with him in the 90s.
Yet, when he sat behind a keyboard, all that tension turned into pure, unadulterated joy.
Why the Song Still Works
Most 70s "novelty" hits feel dated. This one doesn't. Why?
- The Tension: The verses are sparse and snappy. The chorus is wide open and soaring.
- The Vocals: Billy’s voice has this raspy, gospel-trained grit. When he asks, "Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?" you kind of believe it might.
- The Relatability: Everyone has felt like they’re going in circles. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or just a Tuesday afternoon.
The Bruce Fisher Connection
We can't talk about this track without giving Bruce Fisher his flowers. Fisher was the secret weapon.
Before this hit, Fisher was working in the mailroom at NBC in Burbank. The success of Will It Go Round in Circles literally allowed him to quit his day job. The duo wasn't a one-hit-wonder team, either. They went on to write "Nothing from Nothing" (another #1) and the iconic "You Are So Beautiful."
Yeah, the song Joe Cocker made famous? That’s a Preston/Fisher joint. Originally, Billy wrote it as a tribute to his mother.
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Technical Details for the Nerds
If you’re a musician trying to cover this, pay attention to the organ. Billy used a Hammond B3, and he played it with a percussive style that almost treated the keys like drums.
The song is primarily in the key of $Ab$ Major, which gives it that warm, soulful "flat key" resonance. The bridge shifts the energy just enough to keep the "circles" from getting repetitive. It’s a masterclass in simple arrangement.
Legacy and Pop Culture
You’ve probably heard this song in a dozen places without realizing it.
- It’s in the 1996 movie Beautiful Girls.
- It was the theme for an HBO sports documentary about the ABA.
- Orlando Brown even did a version for Disney back in the mid-2000s.
But nothing beats the original 1973 recording. The analog warmth, the slight hiss of the tape, and Billy’s infectious energy are impossible to replicate.
How to Appreciate Billy Preston Today
If you want to really "get" why this song matters, don't just stream it on your phone speakers.
Put on a pair of decent headphones. Listen to the way the bass interacts with the kick drum. Notice how Billy's piano fills never step on his own vocals. It’s a lesson in restraint and "the pocket."
Next Steps for Music Lovers:
- Listen to the album version: The single edit is great, but the full version on Music Is My Life has more room to breathe.
- Watch the live footage: Find the clip of Billy performing this on The Midnight Special. His energy is astronomical. You can't watch him play and stay in a bad mood. It's physically impossible.
- Check out the B-sides: Billy’s instrumental tracks from this era, like "Outa-Space," show off the virtuosity that made him a favorite of The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.