Circles
Lydia Kelly Lyrics

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I felt his demon lay inside
I let his angel leave me behind
I didn't know it hurt me like this
I didn't know you'd leave me so quick

Running in circles
Losing my mind dear
Waiting to hear

But you left and disappeared
Fade into focus
Wanting to forfeit
You're all I see
And that almost killed me

Run, run, run, running in circles, we keep running in circles
And it feels like all we're doing is
Run, run, run, running in circles, we keep running in circles
And it feels like all we're doing is

Smooth talker with his toxic eyes
Poisoned by the sweetest of lies
You keep me reaching for your touch
You keep me empty with your love

Running in circles
Losing my mind dear
Waiting to hear
But you left and disappeared
Fade into focus
Wanting to forfeit
You're all I see
And that almost killed me

Run, run, run, running in circles, we keep running in circles
And it feels like all we're doing is
Run, run, run, running in circles, we keep running in circles
And it feels like all we're doing is

Running in circles
Losing my mind dear
Wanting to forfeit

Run, run, run, running in circles, we keep running in circles
And it feels like all we're doing is

Run, run, run, running in circles, we keep running in circles
And it feels like all we're doing is

Overall Meaning

Lydia Kelly's song "Circles" is a poetic reflection on a toxic relationship. In the first verse, the lyrics suggest that the singer was initially drawn to the person she's singing about, even though she recognized that he had a dark side. However, as time went on, it became clear that the "demon" within him was overpowering his "angel," and he ultimately left her feeling hurt and alone. The chorus emphasizes the singer's sense of spinning in circles, caught in a cycle of hurt and confusion that she can't escape. She yearns for clarity and resolution, but instead finds herself lost in a dizzying whirl.

The second verse introduces more explicit language of toxicity, with the singer referring to the other person as a "smooth talker" with "toxic eyes" who keeps her "reaching for your touch" even as he leaves her feeling "empty with your love." The repetition of the chorus reinforces the cyclical nature of the relationship and the singer's feelings of being trapped within it. The final lines, "Wanting to forfeit," suggest that she's ready to give up on the relationship entirely, but also that the circular pattern may be hard to break.

Overall, "Circles" is a haunting and powerful song that speaks to the experience of being caught in a harmful cycle that's hard to escape. The lyrics describe a relationship in which the singer is drawn in by conflicting qualities and ultimately left feeling lost and hurt. Through its repetitive, circular structure and vivid imagery, the song captures the disorienting and all-consuming nature of such a toxic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

I felt his demon lay inside
I sensed the darkness within him

I let his angel leave me behind
I allowed the good part of him to abandon me

I didn't know it hurt me like this
I was unaware of how much pain I would feel

I didn't know you'd leave me so quick
I did not expect you to leave so suddenly

Running in circles
Going round and round with no clear destination or solution

Losing my mind dear
Becoming mentally unstable and distressed, my love

Waiting to hear
Anticipating to hear from you

But you left and disappeared
But you went away and vanished

Fade into focus
Becoming more evident and clear

Wanting to forfeit
Desiring to give up or quit

You're all I see
You are the only thing that comes to mind