"I clearly remember how Fireside started. All of us were huge hardcore fans and listened to bands like Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today, and when the guitarist of Gorilla Biscuits started a new band called Quicksand I pre-ordered a seven-inch single. When it arrived I phoned Pelle Gunnerfelt and he biked from the other side of town to my home and we listened to it together, and the first thing we said was “We’re starting a new band and it’s gonna sound like this” (laughs). That was the decisive moment when Fireside started; Quicksand were the role models together with Fugazi. "
Having released five albums to date, Fireside have since developed a personal style. Their most recent album, Get Shot, was released in 2003 via V2 Records.
Circulate
Fireside Lyrics
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I try to tell you but you don't seem to be in sight
This time words are not enough
I gotta act now
I gotta get you, but I forgot how to
Circles, we're running in circles
Stand still, so I can catch you up
You should've told me that it didn't look good
You should've told me that I did what I could
Those broken promises you gave
I threw them away
The song Circulate by Fireside is a reflection of the frustration and confusion that often accompanies a failed relationship or one that seems to be hanging by a thread. The lyrics convey the struggles that arise when one partner is trying to work on the relationship but the other is distant or unreachable. The lines, "I try to ask you but my words don't seem to come out right, I try to tell you but you don't seem to be in sight" emphasize the difficulty in communicating with a partner who is emotionally unavailable or disinterested. The singer acknowledges that words alone are not enough to save the relationship, and feels the need to take action, stating, "This time words are not enough, I gotta act now."
However, the singer is unsure of how to go about saving the relationship or how to even reach their partner. The line "I gotta get you, but I forgot how to" suggests a loss of direction and confidence in the relationship. The repetition of the phrase "Circles, we're running in circles" reflects the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of repetition or patterns that are not productive in moving the relationship forward. The plea to "stand still" so that the singer can "catch up" shows a desire to slow down and reconnect.
The final lines of the song, "You should've told me that it didn't look good, You should've told me that I did what I could, Those broken promises you gave, I threw them away" suggest a realization that the relationship may be irreparable. The singer recognizes that their efforts may have been in vain, and that the promises made by their partner have been broken, leading to a sense of disappointment and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to ask you but my words don't seem to come out right
I am attempting to communicate my feelings to you, but I am struggling with the right words to use.
I try to tell you but you don't seem to be in sight
I am attempting to speak with you, but I am having difficulty finding you.
This time words are not enough
Merely conveying my thoughts verbally is insufficient this time around.
I gotta act now
Instead, I must take action immediately.
I gotta get you, but I forgot how to
I have come to the realization that I must reach you, but I have forgotten the steps to do so.
Circles, we're running in circles
Our actions are beginning to feel repetitive and are leading us nowhere.
Stand still, so I can catch you up
Please remain in one place so that I may meet you where you are.
You should've told me that it didn't look good
I would have appreciated if you had informed me beforehand that the situation did not appear promising.
You should've told me that I did what I could
I would have appreciated it if you had informed me that I had done my best.
Those broken promises you gave
I no longer have faith in the guarantees you provided.
I threw them away
I have discarded them and am moving on from them.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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