Circles
Mac Miller Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well
This is what it looks like right before you fall
Stumblin' around, you been guessing your direction
Next step, you can't see at all
And I don't have a name, I don't have a name, no
Who am I to blame? Who am I to blame though?
And I cannot be changed, I cannot be changed, no
Trust me I've tried
I just end up right at the start of the line
Drawing circles

Mm
Well, I drink my whiskey, and you sip your wine
We're doing well, sitting, watching the world falling down, its decline
And I can keep you safe, I can keep you safe, mm
Do not be afraid, do not be afraid
You're feeling sorry, I'm feeling fine
Don't you put any more stress on yourself, it's one day at a time
It's gettin' pretty late, gettin' pretty late
Yeah, and I find




It goes around like the hands that keep counting the time
Drawing circles

Overall Meaning

In the song "Circles" by Mac Miller, he describes the feeling of being lost and unable to find his way. He talks about stumbling around and guessing his direction, not sure what his next step should be. The character Miller portrays in the song doesn't seem to have a sense of self-identity, as he confesses that he doesn't have a name or anyone to blame. He states that he's tried to change himself, but ends up going right back to where he started. He feels like he's drawing circles in his life and can't move forward.


In the second verse, Miller talks about drinking whiskey while another person is sipping wine, and they're watching the world fall into decline. The singer says that he can keep the other person safe and tells them not to be afraid. He assures them that it's okay to feel sorry for themselves, but they shouldn't stress themselves out. The song ends with Miller observing that time goes around like the hands on a clock, drawing circles.


Overall, the song is a meditation on the circular nature of life and how difficult it can be to break out of old patterns and habits. It's a poignant commentary on the struggles of being human.


Line by Line Meaning

Well
The start of the song begins with a simple and ambiguous word, which is used to indicate a new idea or a thought being communicated.


This is what it looks like right before you fall
The first line of the song describes the feeling of being lost and unsure of your next move, where you're trying to take a step but you don't know where to land.


Stumblin' around, you been guessing your direction
The singer is trying to find their way through life while making uninformed decisions and constantly coming up short in their attempt to find the right direction.


Next step, you can't see at all
The person finds themselves in a situation where they don't have a clear view of what their future holds, making them feel uncertain and unprepared for what's to come.


And I don't have a name, I don't have a name, no
The artist feels anonymous and nameless, lacking any definite purpose or direction in their life.


Who am I to blame? Who am I to blame though?
The person looks at themselves and their actions, wondering who or what can be held responsible for the chaos in their life.


And I cannot be changed, I cannot be changed, no
The singer feels stuck in a rut and unable to enact any meaningful steps to improve their life despite repeated attempts at trying to do so.


Trust me I've tried
The person has attempted to make changes in their life, but their efforts have gone unrewarded and left them feeling disillusioned.


I just end up right at the start of the line
Despite their best efforts to advance in life, they find themselves stuck right where they started, in a constant state of repetition and struggle.


Drawing circles
The phrase is used to evoke the feeling of being trapped in a cycle that never ends, where the person is constantly repeating the same mistakes and behaviors without any real progress being made.


Well, I drink my whiskey, and you sip your wine
The second verse changes the tone of the song, where the singer appears to be in a stable relationship with someone they care about.


We're doing well, sitting, watching the world falling down, its decline
Despite being in a good place, the artist acknowledges that the world is undergoing a crisis of sorts, with multiple issues holding society back from progressing.


And I can keep you safe, I can keep you safe, mm
The person finds comfort in the fact that they are able to protect their loved one from external dangers and harm.


Do not be afraid, do not be afraid
The person urges their partner to let go of their fears and worries, emphasizing that they have each other's back and that everything will be alright.


You're feeling sorry, I'm feeling fine
While their partner is distressed by the chaos of the outside world, the singer is feeling content and happy with the present moment.


Don't you put any more stress on yourself, it's one day at a time
The artist tells their partner to focus on the day-to-day, rather than constantly feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders.


It's gettin' pretty late, gettin' pretty late
Despite the message of hope and stability in the song, there is a sense of impending doom, with the idea that time is running out and the situation may get worse.


Yeah, and I find
The singer reflects on their thoughts and feelings, acknowledging that the world is inherently cyclical and history is bound to repeat itself.


It goes around like the hands that keep counting the time
The line is a metaphor for how time is constantly moving forward, and that nothing can stop the cycle of life from continuing on.


Drawing circles
The repetition of the last line of the song serves as a reminder that despite their attempts to change and grow, the artist is still trapped in a cycle that is hard to break out of.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Malcolm James McCormick

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@whosDori

Just found out I have a tumor in my chest yesterday and bumping mac is the only thing keeping me calm and sane. Rip Mac.

Update: I found out it is cancer, but very curable. Thank you all for your kind words!

2nd Update: I finished the treatment and I am just waiting to get a PET scan to see if it's completely gone.

3rd update: Cancer free! Thank you all for the support and prayers! You guys really made me feel better in dark times!

4th update(Oct. 22): Cancer is back, starting a study treatment next week to see if it helps me.

5th update(July 20, 2021): Last treatment did not work unfortunatley but I am about to start a new treatment next week. It's been a tough year and a half, just hoping for life to go back to normal after this treatment. Ive read all the comments, I appreciate every single one of you!



@johnybegood9614

Well, this is what it look like right before you fall
Stumblin' around, you've been guessing your direction
Next step, you can't see at all
And I don't have a name, I don't have a name, no
Who am I to blame? Who am I to blame though?
And I cannot be changed, I cannot be changed, no
Trust me, I've tried
I just end up right at the start of the line
Drawin' circles
Mmm
Well, I drink my whiskey, and you sip your wine
We're doing well, sittin', watchin' the world fallin' down, its decline
And I can keep you safe, I can keep you safe, mmm
Do not be afraid, do not be afraid
You're feeling sorry, I'm feeling fine
Don't you put any more stress on yourself, it's one day at a time
It's gettin' pretty late, gettin' pretty late
Damn, and I find
It goes around like the hands that keep countin' the time
Drawin' circles



All comments from YouTube:

@igorpfilm8696

Mac 2014 - "I've experienced every feeling except fine"
Mac 2020 - "You're feeling sorry, I'm feeling fine"

This circle closes, new one begins

@tylerviadana208

Deep

@brock985

should be Mac 2018

@theincredibledrl9684

That line you made made no sense

@skinnyrogers...

@@theincredibledrl9684 I read it? Makes sense?
Maybe try reading it slower bro? Lol unless the "circles" part at bottom got you.. then you juss weren't focusing on what you were reading.. lol

@igorpfilm8696

​@@theincredibledrl9684 I guess that depends on how you interpret what he was trying to communicate with the concept of "circles". That comment came straight from my soul and makes perfect sense to me. You will have to find your own definition though

34 More Replies...

@victorhugozucchi4295

This song helps me feel calm in difficult moments. Im a stage 4 cancer patient and unfortunately it looks like my circle is coming to an end. Im only 21 y.o and leaving so much behind, university half complete, goals I never will achieve and a loving girlfriend who’s been on my side at every moment. Thank you Mac for leaving us your incredible music, makes everything so much easier. RIP

@ashtonb4294

please take it easy. i am so sorry that had to be awful.. all love. i hope you can find peace within yourself

@aliciareid6722

I'm so sorry 😔 to hear this I wish you all the best Macs music is the stuff of legends so blessed to have his music in my life it gives me peace and comfort I hope it brings you comfort in your difficult times xxxx

@chaotemagick3

So sorry. If it makes you feel better, we're all just animals on this rock in the vast universe and our lifetimes are a tiny blip of time that doesn't even register on the universes scale, all our short monkey lives are coming to an end same as cats, dogs, ants. None of it really means anything so just be happy while you're awake and don't worry about the rest

More Comments

More Versions