The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘Will It Go Round In Circles’ by Billy Preston

I haven’t had an opportunity to see the documentary Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It, but I’ve been reading about it. And so it would seem have a number of you, who have been talking to and messaging me about him this week.

For me growing up, Billy Preston was the cool black cat with the gap-toothed smile and an Afro, and the most fantastic keyboard player, whose playing lifted The Beatles sound during the Let It Be sessions. If you’ve watched the eight-hour documentary series, Get Back, the excitement among The Beatles when Preston arrives to play is palpable and it’s no wonder why. His influence on the band makes him, along with George Martin, a top – although late – contender for the title of the “fifth Beatle”.

Teen prodigy to tragedy

What I didn’t know back then and only learnt later, was that Preston also played a key role on sessions for The Rolling Stones, was a teen prodigy, and played with Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. Is there a better CV?

What I also didn’t know until very recently, and which apparently forms a large part of the documentary, is that Preston was gay, depressed and after a period of superstardom, got drawn into a vortex of drugs and alcohol that left him destitute, the all too common rock ’n’ roll trajectory.

Preston had a substantial solo catalogue. From the funky instrumental Outa-Space to the almost part-vaudevillian Nothing from Nothing, to his own interpretations of Beatles hits, the composer of the soul classic You Are So Beautiful also created a deep set of gospel songs, which formed his early musical inspiration. His legacy was something of a musical crest.

Existential treat

Today’s pick is one of Preston’s smash hits, Will It Go Round In Circles. The circuitous title is replicated in the song structure. Lyrically, it’s a lightweight, sort of creative “existential narrative”. Musically, it’s a funk-soul triumph. Preston plays a rollicking electric piano, while the funky organ part is by Hubert Heard. Bass and drums hold down the bottom, there’s a melodica solo, lots of punchy brass and Preston’s vocal smacks of attitude.

Listen to Will It Go Round In Circles on Spotify here and Apple Music here.

I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on markgrosin@gmail.com.

For more of Mark’s top tracks, go here.

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