On the track, Mac speaks on being directionless, feeling as though his life is in cycles and that he cannot do anything to get out of them. The song and the record’s title are in reference to the last verse off “So It Goes” from Swimming
"My god, it go on and on
Just like a circle, I go back to where I’m from."
Circles
Mac Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
@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
@KMTPhotography
@@jkt4748 😅😅😅😊😁😂😂
Got me cracking up. I appreciate that.
It was a simple mistake due to same names, I'm sure many people have confused the two projects over the years...
Just funny to me...on a mac miller thread that someone talks about the KIDS movie instead of the K.I.D.S. album.
I'm very easily amused, I'm sure you can tell. Lol.
Anyways, have a great day and enjoy the final blessing from this Young Legend.
I, for one, will be buying the album today before work and going through some emotions after work. Afraid to listen to it before work...as i can't get in that melancholy mindset before. I already know, from the couple of songs I heard, that I'm gonna be in the feels while listening to the last Easy Mac album.
REST IN PEACE Larry F., Easy Mac, Mac Miller, and on the real...Mr. Malcolm McCormick.
#27Club Can't Take No More!
#21Club Can Go To Hell! (Juice didn't deserve that shit, X didn't even get to make it there...and Lil Peep, although I wasn't a fan of your sound, people loved you...and for them...im sorry).
Be easy my peeps, we will all be together in paradise once the final bell is rung.
@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!
@cocoprice6986
Keep your chin up brother! You’ve got this man
@joeydraco2630
God bless bro, hope everything turns out for the best
@janaetaylor3528
whosDori God bless you. I wish you nothing but the best. you’ve got this 🤍💐
@soulranger4524
I hope that your ok i prayed for you real fast amen
@mrloverman82
Hope you get well 💯
@MB-bz1qx
This song feels like that feeling you get where you've just cried your eyes out and it finally stops then get that strange sad peace feeling you have after it
@akhilshah6508
what an excellent description
@playoffbron692
Oh nah I’m still crying
@user-cw6vz4nm8y
great description. it's like he's at peace with himself knowing that he has made mistakes and choices that can't be changed, that he must move on from.