Drummer Aly, guitarist Withrow, and percussionist Bush went to the same high school as singer Brickell in Dallas, Texas but didn't really know her then. According to Houser, Edie was there for art. (Spin magazine, March 1989 (Vol 4, Number 12). Houser attended Hillcrest High School (Dallas) and lived in the same neighborhood as the others. He played in various neighborhood bands like The Knobs which included Kenny, and was also a Munch Puppy.
The New Bohemians started as a three-piece ska-style band in the early eighties, cutting their teeth in the new Deep Ellum neighborhood in downtown Dallas. The original line-up featured Brad Houser on bass, Eric Presswood on guitar, and Brandon Aly on drums.
The future core members joined in 1985. Edie became the singer after being encouraged to join the band onstage during a show (the famous Jack Daniels story). It was soon after that first show that local agent Deanna Mercer, who was at the time booking bands at Rick's Casablanca, was brought to hear the band. The band actually signed a 6 month management contract with Mercer which brought with it better paying gigs at Rick's. When the 6 months ended, the band wanted something more and hired Lon Bixby as the manager. They started regular gigging in Deep Ellum at this time (D Magazine Jan, 1989). Presswood left and Kenny Withrow took up the guitar duties, playing his first show in July, 1985 at the Starck Club in Dallas. John Bush joined on percussion in September of that year. His first show with the band was September 12, 1985 at Poor David's Pub in Dallas, when the band was backing Bo Diddley.
The New Bos were always a local favorite, packing in the fans at now infamous Deep Ellum venues such as Theater Gallery, 500 Cafe, and Club Dada. The Bohemians were also regular performers at the annual Fry Street Fair on the University of North Texas campus in Denton, Texas. During this period of the band's history, Edie's name was not used in the band's name. This was a strategy used by Geffen Records in the event the band didn't remain the same. They would always have Edie.
The New Bohemians have released compilations and a live album, and have recorded some new material in recent years, notably as a short-lived band named The Slip that included Brickell, but most former members have moved on to other projects. Drummer Matt Chamberlain has been an in-demand tour drummer with bands ranging from Pearl Jam and Garbage to Tori Amos and Fiona Apple, as well as a stint on the Saturday Night Live house band.
In 1991, Edie is married to Paul Simon, and the couple has three children.
Carter Albrecht was killed in Dallas, on September 3, 2007.
The band played live at the North Oak Cliff Music Festival in October 2014 with the current lineup as well as keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hubbard.
The band reunited again in April 2017 with three concerts at the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff.
On February 19, 2021, the band released its second album since reuniting, entitled Hunter and the Dog Star.
Circle
Edie Brickell and New Bohemians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we notice you don't come around
Me, I think it all depends on you
Touching ground with us but
I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems
And I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
And being alone is the, is the best way to be
When I'm by myself it's the best way to be
When I'm all alone it's the best way to be
When I'm by myself, nobody else can say goodbye
Everything is temporary anyway
When the streets are wet, the colors slip into the sky
But I don't know why that means you and I are
That means you and I
I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems
And I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems
And being alone is the, is the best way to be
When I'm by myself, it's the best way to be
When I'm all alone, it's the best way to be
When I'm by myself, nobody else can say
Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
And we noticed you don't come around
La la la la la la la
In Edie Brickell and New Bohemians' song "Circle," the lyrics revolve around the theme of isolation and the difficulties of fitting in with a social circle. The song begins with the singer identifying herself as part of a group of friends who have noticed that someone seems to be distancing themselves from the group. The singer acknowledges that maybe their absence has to do with their own internal conflict, but also points out that being alone can be a beneficial thing. The lyrics repeat that the best way to be is alone, indicating the singer's belief that her isolation is preferable to trying to fit in but being unhappy. The chorus repeatedly asserts that nothing is good enough for anyone else, indicating that the singer feels her efforts to be valued by her social circle are futile.
In the second verse, the lyrics take on a more meditative tone, with the singer describing the fleeting nature of life and the temporary nature of happiness. The line "when the streets are wet, the colors slip into the sky" creates a vivid image of transience, suggesting that nothing can last forever. However, despite this impermanence, the singer is still puzzled by the fact that their isolation seems to have contributed to the social distance between them and their friends.
Overall, "Circle" is a thoughtful look at the challenges of navigating social relationships and finding a sense of belonging. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation to the fact that trying to fit in can sometimes be fruitless, but also suggest that being alone can offer a sense of self-reliance and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
I'm considered a member of your group of friends
And we notice you don't come around
We've realized that you haven't been coming around
Me, I think it all depends on you
I believe it's up to you
Touching ground with us but
Making contact with us, but still
I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
I feel defeated because I can never seem to please others
It seems
That's just the way it appears to me
And being alone is the, is the best way to be
I think being alone is the most beneficial situation
When I'm by myself it's the best way to be
I find it most enjoyable to be alone
When I'm all alone it's the best way to be
Being completely alone is the ideal situation for me
When I'm by myself, nobody else can say goodbye
If I'm alone, I won't have to deal with others leaving me
Everything is temporary anyway
Nothing lasts forever, everything is fleeting
When the streets are wet, the colors slip into the sky
When it rains, the colors of the surroundings blend together
But I don't know why that means you and I are
I'm not exactly sure why that relates to us
That means you and I
But somehow that applies to you and me
La la la la la la la
Instrumental
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Edie Arlisa Brickell, Kenneth Neil Withrow, John Bradley Houser, Brandon Aly, John Walter Bush
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Annamariah Knox
LYRICS:
Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
And we, Notice you don't come around
And me, I think it all depends
On you, Touching ground with us, but
I quit, I give up
Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and, I quit
I give up, Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and
And being alone is the
Is the best way to be
When I'm by myself
It's the best way to be
When I'm all alone
It's the best way to be
When I'm by myself
Nobody else can say goodbye
Everything is temporary anyway
When the streets are wet
The colors slip into the sky
But I don't know why
That means you and I are
That means you and I
I quit, I give up
Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and, I quit, I give up
Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and
And being alone is the
Is the best way to be
When I'm by myself
It's the best way to be
When I'm all alone
It's the best way to be
When I'm by myself
Nobody else can say
Me
I'm a part of your circle of friends
And we
Notice you don't come around
La la la la, la la la la la
Jeff G
In the 80's we had both Circle, and Circle Jerks.
this song was so well written. Songs that do well at gatherings are ones we all innately connect with.
You don't have to really even know the song (everyone already does ...), but just saying the first time you hear it, you get it - in a verse, you connect with it.
It is a little bit depressing though too. She's not exactly happy is she. She's more wanting to drink, and that's what this song is geared towards -> drinking.
It's not really happy, but it feels good to know the hardship is shared amongst the crowd, and you're not the only one, so there is a sense of euphoria mixed into this unhappy character - like the relief of not having to care or something (at least for a few hours ...) - and you know almost everyone is right there with you.
It's also really hard to determine the content for these type of songs - what we all connect with, because often, especially when younger, we don't know ... we only know what we feel, and those around us, but often not even those around us. How much did you discuss your personal life during puberty? Well, for most people (95%+), it wouldn't have been a conversation they really wanted to have. Well, all that's forced upon us by the dbags above ..., but it's forced on all of us, so at least we're on equal ground - that makes everyone happy, right?
Did I mention our societies are broken? Our oft unhappiness (for many) isn't just forced upon us tho - it's our societies, but I'll stop there on that topic ... But basically, what I'm saying is the dbags above put us in a very difficult scenario - even BEFORE accounting for our very broken societies. From the getgo, the ones above really d*cked us over. Now mix in a bunch of greedy people being driven by quite stupid and awful "societal norms" (dictated by ultra wealthy investors of course)
Another good blast from the past - bet nobody (if anyone reading this) has heard this one in a while:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OeqLjJtj48
Patrice S
“When I’m by myself, nobody else can say ‘goodbye’.” MAN. Edie really did me in with that line. It’s still hits hard till this day.
All Crime with Andi ♡
You aren't kidding. I feel this so bad. It's not temporary. This is so different to me now that my little sister passed. I am a loner. I relate. I don't come around anymore.
Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Yeah she really cut deep on that one. I am a loner as well
All Crime with Andi ♡
@Lorenzo Von Matterhorn hi Tim. I like it better. ❤️
Neel
i wonder if she knew how profound those words are
Cannabis Adventures with HighRy
For real it makes me tear up everytime
Willy Dafoe
"Everything is temporary anyway". Great line.
Alicia Dewbre
I agree, that is one hell of a catch phrase
Fergus Burns
+Alicia Dewbre It's like when the Indigo Girls sing, "it's only life after all."
John Valades
Willy Dafoe, u are cool!