… Read Full Bio ↴In a track-by-track commentary with AOL Music in 2005, Mariah said:
“Circles” is a song that I wrote with Big Jim Wright, who’s an incredible musician. He works with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. He also does outside projects like Sounds of Blackness and a lot of different gospel things. He’s just very talented. Basically we were going for an old school vibe. It’s all live musicians. I feel like it has that organic kind of feel. We were going for a somewhat retro urban record that wasn’t overly produced that gave you a feeling of something from the 70’s, like a very soulful type of a record. That’s how I tried to produce the background vocals to give you that vibe of just a really basic soul record.
Circles
Mariah Carey feat. Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been trying to hide the pain
Painting on a smile with lipstick
Putting on a big charade
So difficult to keep pretending
It's getting harder everyday
It's plain to see I'm cold and heartsick
Since you turned and walked away
And round in circles
Keep on tumbling down
Oh boy my world has changed
And I don't think I can make it without out
Nothing's the same
You got me running around in circles over you
(Running around in circles over you)
Saturday I saw you
Holding hands with someone new
Somehow I kept my composure
Just like everything was cool
But inside I kept repeating
Don't you let them see you cry
So I casually turned my head
As the tears rolled down my eyes
I just keep going round and round
And round in circles
Keep on tumbling down
Oh boy my world has changed
And I don't think I can make it without out
Nothing's the same
You got me running around in circles over you
(Running around in circles over you)
Everything is you
How can I pull through
My heart is consumed I'm so confused
Still caught up in you...love can be so cruel
Baby don't know how to turn you loose
Oh boy my world has changed
And I don't think I can make it without you
No, nothing's the same
You got me running around
And running around
And running around
Nothing's the same
Baby baby cause you
Got me running around
In circles over you
(Running around in circles over you)
The song "Circles" by Mariah Carey feat. Twista tells the story of a woman who is struggling to move on after a breakup. She has been trying to hide her pain by pretending everything is okay, but the reality is that she is heartsick and can't seem to escape her feelings of heartbreak. She feels trapped, like she is going round and round in circles with no end in sight. The chorus reiterates this sentiment, with the singer admitting that her world has changed and she can't imagine moving on without her ex. She is consumed by thoughts of him and can't seem to escape the pain.
The second verse introduces a new element to the story. The singer sees her ex out in public with another woman, and although she tries to maintain her composure, she can't help but cry inside. She tells herself not to let anyone see her cry, but it's clear that she is still deeply affected by the breakup. This verse shows that the singer is struggling not only with her emotions, but also with the social expectations placed upon her. She feels like she has to pretend to be okay, even when she's not.
The bridge brings everything together, emphasizing the idea that the singer is consumed by thoughts of her ex and can't seem to escape. "Everything is you," she sings, "how can I pull through? My heart is consumed, I'm so confused." She knows that love can be cruel, but she can't seem to turn him loose. The repetition of "running around in circles" underscores the fact that the singer is stuck in a cycle of pain and can't seem to escape.
Overall, "Circles" is a poignant exploration of heartbreak and the difficulties of moving on. The lyrics capture the singer's sense of being trapped and unable to escape, while the music adds to the emotional intensity of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since you left me
Since you left me, I have been struggling with my emotions and feelings.
I've been trying to hide the pain
I have been hiding my pain and sorrow from everyone.
Painting on a smile with lipstick
I am trying to pretend that I'm happy and fine but deep down I'm not.
Putting on a big charade
I am putting on a show or an act.
So difficult to keep pretending
It is getting hard to pretend and act like everything is okay.
It's getting harder everyday
Day by day, it is becoming more and more difficult to cope up with my feelings and emotions.
It's plain to see I'm cold and heartsick
Everyone can see that I'm emotionally cold and heartbroken.
Since you turned and walked away
Since you left me, things have not been the same.
I just keep going round and round
I feel like I'm going in circles and can't find a way out.
And round in circles
I feel stuck in this cycle of sadness and pain.
Keep on tumbling down
My emotions are taking a toll on me and making me feel worse day by day.
Oh boy my world has changed
My life has changed significantly after you left me.
And I don't think I can make it without out
I don't know if I can continue living without you.
Nothing's the same
Nothing is the same as it used to be.
You got me running around in circles over you
I can't stop thinking about you and how you left me.
Saturday I saw you
I saw you on a Saturday.
Holding hands with someone new
You were holding hands with someone new, and it hurt me more than anything.
Somehow I kept my composure
I managed to not show my emotions in front of you.
Just like everything was cool
I acted as if I did not care.
But inside I kept repeating
But deep down, I could not stop myself from saying.
Don't you let them see you cry
I was telling myself not to cry in front of you.
So I casually turned my head
To hide my tears, I pretended to look in another direction.
As the tears rolled down my eyes
But I still ended up crying.
Everything is you
Everything reminds me of you and it's hard to move on.
How can I pull through
I'm struggling to overcome my pain.
My heart is consumed I'm so confused
I'm emotionally drained and confused.
Still caught up in you...love can be so cruel
I'm still stuck in our relationship, and it's painful to move on.
Baby don't know how to turn you loose
I don't know how to let go of you.
You got me running around
You have made me restless and confused.
And running around
I can't seem to get out of this cycle of sadness, pain, and confusion.
Nothing's the same
Nothing is the same as it used to be.
Baby baby cause you
It's all because of you.
Got me running around
You have made me restless and confused.
In circles over you
I can't stop thinking about you and how you left me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIAH CAREY, JAMES WRIGHT, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FOXTHEFIERCE
She sang the hell out of this song.
@bird872mitc3
Yassssss!
@brittthecancerqueenempress9137
Yesss she did !!!
@33lviana
Yes she did.. It seems very personal
@jasonrigone7771
6 octave voice unfuckwithable..MC skills phat like an Opera Singer
@minnietwyman8339
Yes 👏🏾tf 👏🏾she 👏🏾did!!
@yamamancha
Not a single lazy song on this album. Every track is fire. Nearly 15 years later, still among the best ever.
@jamzhacki4877
2:33 2:33 2:33 2:33
@jamzhacki4877
2:36
@libra09ful
@@jamzhacki4877