The band originated with vocalist Stephen Holt (vocals) and guitarist Graham Lambert. Another uncredited founding member, was basist Glenn Chesworth. His partnership with the band lasted only a couple of years. The band emerged alongside The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays from the indie scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bassist, Martyn Walsh, and drummer, Craig Gill, joined in 1984. Playing garage rock, they were joined by keyboardist, Clint Boon, who changed their sound based around harmonic (and often psychedelic) keyboards and jangly guitars.
After a couple of singles on a local indie label, Holt left the group and was replaced by Tom Hingley. The band were propelled to fame after being 'discovered' by the Radio 1 DJ John Peel and had their greatest chart success in the UK with a single entitled This is How it Feels, which is a song about loneliness and unemployment.
At the time of their initial success, the band earned some notoriety for their squiggly-eyed cow 'Cool as Fuck' T-shirts; a student at Oxford Polytechnic was prosecuted on obscenity charges for wearing one. One of their roadies, Noel Gallagher, went on to great success with the band Oasis. The band is named after an Inspiral Carpets tour poster which included the venue Swindon Oasis.
They reworked their single Find Out Why as the theme tune to early 90's kids TV show 'The 8:15 From Manchester'. Another release I Want You was used by Sony to advertise their in-car entertainment systems on this advert ; an early example of advertising agencies co-opting and promoting non-mainstream music to add kudos to mainstream brands (a trend that has increased significantly).
After the release of their 4th studio album, Devil Hopping, they started to record new, more darker-sounding demos in 1995 which their label, Mute Records rejected. An amicable split followed but they re-formed in 2003 for a tour and new compilation. For the next several years, they played gigs on and off, until Hingley could no longer give his 100% commitment so original vocalist, Stephen Holt, rejoined in March 2011.
Keep the Circle Around
Inspiral Carpets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She has got your head in a whirl
Now if you ever promise me, then I'm sure that you'll be free
Pain is one thing tying you to that girl
She has got your head in a whirl
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
Now there's only one thing you can do
Now if you're ever on your own, think what it's like, all alone
Now there's only one thing you can do
'cause only you really know what you're going through
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
The lyrics of Inspiral Carpets' Keep the Circle Around song revolve around the pain and struggles that come with clinging onto a toxic relationship. The words express the idea that pain is a powerful thing, and it has the ability to keep a person tied to someone they know isn't good for them. The singer reminds the person who is suffering in his relationship that he has the power to break free and that if he promises to do so, he will finally be able to free himself from the chains that hold him down.
The lyrics seem to suggest that the person is torn between what he knows is right and what he feels for the person he's with, as indicated by the line "She has got your head in a whirl." In the end, he realises that there is only one person who knows what he's going through, and that person is himself. Thus, the song ends with the plea to look inside himself and take control of his life.
The metaphor of the circle is used throughout the song to describe the cycle of pain and suffering that comes with holding onto a toxic relationship. The singer advises the person to break the cycle and keep the circle around intact, so that he can finally find true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Pain is one thing tying you to that girl
You are emotionally attached to that girl even though it causes you pain.
She has got your head in a whirl
You are confused and unable to think clearly because of your feelings for her.
Now if you ever promise me, then I'm sure that you'll be free
If you make a promise to me, I have faith that you will be able to move on from this situation.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
I am struggling internally and it is evident to those around me.
Now there's only one thing you can do
You have limited options in this situation.
'cause only you really know what you're going through
No one truly understands what you are experiencing except for yourself.
Now if you're ever on your own, think what it's like, all alone
If you find yourself alone, consider how it feels to be by yourself without anyone else to turn to.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
I am still struggling internally and it is still evident to those around me.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
My emotions are still intense and affecting me deeply.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
I am still struggling and it is still evident to those around me.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
My internal struggle and emotions are still strong and affecting me.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE OF ME THAT SOMETHING'S GOING DOWN
My emotions are still intense and affecting me deeply.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Mute Song Limited
Written by: CLINTON DAVID BOON, CRAIG DOUGLAS GILL, GRAHAM PAUL LAMBERT, MARTYN JOHN WALSH, THOMAS WILLIAM HINGLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bohsblur
my favourite tune by the great inspirals. CLASS.
ivycoveredwa11s
I like both versions but I’ve gotta give it to holt. His voice fits the song better imo
Scotland.Is.Magical
Craigs drummins on fire
bohsblur
pain is something to that girl.. classic band. mooooooooooo!
Yjb
Am I the only one who things Toms soft voice perfectly fits the inspirals tunes? Holt has a good voice, but is more fitting of a band whose tunes are harder, like Pearl Jam or The Fall.
Paula Barnett
Cool as fcuk. Moooo !!! <3
sunshaped
should be noted that this is the Peel Session version.
Frank289100
THE PEEL SESSIONS IS THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG.
bomaya
should be "Around"!
Marge
i wish i'd had one of the cow t-shirts... :S