Brian Baker, formerly of Minor Threat, formed Dag Nasty with Colin Sears, R… Read Full Bio ↴Brian Baker, formerly of Minor Threat, formed Dag Nasty with Colin Sears, Roger Marbury and Shawn Brown in 1985. Shawn's replacement on vocals (by ex- DYS frontman Dave Smalley) shortly before the recording of their debut full-length, Can I Say, began a revolving door membership that was to continue throughout their duration as a band (ultimately leaving Brian as the only original member.) Dag Nasty recorded Can I Say in June 1986, and Wig Out at Denkos in July 1987, for Dischord Records before moving to Giant Records for the release of Field Day in 1988. The Can I Say line-up reformed in 1992 to record Four on the Floor for Epitaph Records and again in 2002 to record a full-length for Revelation Records. In 1991, Dischord combined the Can I Say and Wig Out LPs onto one maxi-CD. Dischord re-mastered both records in 2003 and re-released them back onto two separate CDs, both including extra live and unreleased tracks.

Dag Nasty(1985 - 1991)

Dave Smalley - vocals on #19
Peter Cortner - vocals on #26
Brian Baker - guitar
Roger Marbury - bass on #19
Doug Carrion - bass on #26
Colin Sears - drums

Circles
Dag Nasty Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wouldn't speak my mind
I didn't want to make them mad
I looked up to them
For the courage I thought I didn't have
I never bothered to lift a finger to make my point
Now I'm spelling it out
And nobody's listening
It's hard to take it to heart

It hurts to be apart
But I can't watch and not be heard
The days go by and things get worse
But they say they can only get better
I try to make a dent
But it blends in with all the damage
I try to look the other way
But there's a mirror behind me
I see images of what can be done

It seems like I'm the only one
I wouldn't speak my mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dag Nasty's song "Circles" speak to the feelings of frustration, helplessness, and isolation that can arise when a person feels unheard or powerless in a group or society. The singer suggests that they used to keep their thoughts and opinions to themselves, out of fear of angering the people in authority or losing the respect of their peers. However, as time goes on, they become more and more tired of feeling invisible and voiceless, especially in a world where problems seem to be getting worse and worse.

The singer laments that their attempts to speak up and make a difference seem to be in vain, as nobody seems to be listening or taking them seriously. They become increasingly disillusioned with the people and systems that are meant to protect and support them, as they feel that their contributions are being overlooked or dismissed. The line "But there's a mirror behind me / I see images of what can be done / It seems like I'm the only one" speaks to the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of apathy and despair, but also to the possibility of breaking free and making change happen.

Overall, the lyrics of "Circles" suggest that it can be difficult to find the courage and support necessary to speak out against injustice or inequality, but that doing so is crucial for personal and societal growth. The song is a reminder that even small actions and voices can make a difference, and that it's important to keep fighting for what you believe in, even when it seems like nobody is listening.

Line by Line Meaning

I wouldn't speak my mind
I was afraid to speak up for what I believe in

I didn't want to make them mad
I was concerned about upsetting others with my opinions

I looked up to them
I admired those around me who were brave enough to speak out

For the courage I thought I didn't have
I believed I lacked the confidence to express myself

I never bothered to lift a finger to make my point
I never took action to assert my opinions

Now I'm spelling it out
I am finally putting my thoughts and beliefs into words

And nobody's listening
Despite my efforts, nobody seems to be paying attention

It's hard to take it to heart
It's difficult to accept that my point of view is being ignored

It hurts to be apart
It's painful to feel like an outsider because of my beliefs

But I can't watch and not be heard
I refuse to sit quietly and let others control the conversation

The days go by and things get worse
As time passes, the situation continues to deteriorate

But they say they can only get better
Despite the negative state of affairs, there is hope for improvement

I try to make a dent
I attempt to make a meaningful contribution to the situation

But it blends in with all the damage
My attempts to make a difference are overshadowed by the harm that has already been done

I try to look the other way
I attempt to avoid confronting the difficult reality of the situation

But there's a mirror behind me
My attempts to ignore the situation are futile because I am ultimately accountable for my actions

I see images of what can be done
I envision positive outcomes and solutions

It seems like I'm the only one
Despite my good intentions, it feels like I'm alone in my efforts to make a difference

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MANN JASBINDER MANN JASBINDER, DAVID BROWN, GLENN RAYMOND DODD, TERRY KIRKBIRDE

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