Circus
M.R.E.O.W. Lyrics
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Welcome the ugly animal
I hold my breath to watch you swing
My high rope acrobat ball and chain
I'm not afraid, I messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I'm getting tired of your dodgeball circus act
Here comes that awful feeling again
Make way for monster jealousy
The strong man kicked sand into my breakfast cereal bowl
I'd spelled your name with Oatios
He messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I am tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark on command
(You're mean, mean, mean)
(You tease, tease, tease me)
If I were you I'd really run from me
I'd really, really wish that I were you
When I get loose, I'll climb a tree
And drop a load on your head
This monster in me makes me retch, you messed it, messed it up
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I am jealous of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark on command
(You're mean, mean, mean)
(You tease, tease, tease me)
Do you smell jealousy?
Do you smell jealousy, jealousy, jealousy?
The lyrics to M.R.E.O.W.'s song "Circus" describe a feeling of jealousy and frustration toward someone who is skilled at performing in front of others. The singer is watching as the object of their jealousy, who is described as an "acrobat ball and chain," performs on a high rope with ease. The singer is not afraid but feels a sense of failure because they have "messed it up" and can't compete with this person's talent.
The use of metaphor helps to reinforce the image of a circus throughout the song. The singer describes themselves as having a "telescope head," which suggests that they are constantly searching for ways to improve themselves but can't seem to find the answer. They also refer to themselves as a monster, which could represent the overwhelming feeling of jealousy that they have. The strong man who kicks sand into the singer's cereal bowl could represent the person they are jealous of, who is able to affect them even in mundane moments.
The repeated lines "put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark on command" could represent a feeling of being out of control or unable to perform as expected. Barking on command could refer to the way a dog is trained to obey its owner, suggesting that the singer feels like they are being controlled by others' expectations of them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Circus" explore themes of jealousy, performance anxiety, and the pressure to conform to others' expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes that awful feeling again
The singer is experiencing a negative emotion that has occurred before.
Welcome the ugly animal
The negative emotion feels like an unappealing creature that has come to stay.
I hold my breath to watch you swing
The singer is anxious while observing someone else take risks.
My high rope acrobat ball and chain
The person they are watching seems to be a source of both awe and distress to the artist.
I'm not afraid, I messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
The artist is not scared, but they have made mistakes in the past and are acknowledging them.
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
Their thoughts feel scattered and hard to focus on.
I'm getting tired of your dodgeball circus act
The person they are addressing is behaving unpredictably and it is frustrating the singer.
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark on command
They are making a metaphorical reference to being trained or controlled, and they failed to meet expectations.
Make way for monster jealousy
Their emotions have built up to an intense level of envy.
The strong man kicked sand into my breakfast cereal bowl
The artist feels that someone stronger than them has intruded on their personal space.
I'd spelled your name with Oatios
They seem to have a fanciful way of interacting with the person they are addressing, but it is unsatisfactory.
He messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
The other person made mistakes in a similar vein to the artist's earlier statement.
I am tired of your dodgeball circus act
They are exasperated with the person's difficult-to-follow behavior.
If I were you I'd really run from me
The singer is aware they may be a negative presence and understands why someone might avoid them.
I'd really, really wish that I were you
They feel trapped in their own mindset and would like to escape it.
When I get loose, I'll climb a tree
The artist intrinsically feels the need to escape from a stressful environment by any means necessary.
And drop a load on your head
They are making a crude metaphorical allusion to relieving themselves of stress.
This monster in me makes me retch, you messed it, messed it up
Their negative emotions are so intense they are causing a physical reaction.
I am jealous of your dodgeball circus act
The singer feels envious that the other person seems to be more carefree and independent.
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
They feel like they are being controlled or manipulated, and forgot to perform as expected.
Do you smell jealousy?
The artist is asking a rhetorical question, as the answer is obvious based on their feelings.
Do you smell jealousy, jealousy, jealousy?
The repetition emphasizes their intense emotions and irritation with the other person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind