Circles
Marques Houston Lyrics

Yeah
Acknowledgement of the situation expressed in the rest of the song

You know what's funny?
Introducing the ironic and frustrating nature of reminiscing about an old flame

Seems every time I try to forget about you
Expressing the difficulty in moving on from a past love

My feelings pull you back in
Acknowledging the power of emotions in keeping the memory of the old relationship alive

You know, 'cause I got somebody else
Admission of being in another relationship

And you got somebody else
Assumption of the same for the ex-partner

But you and I both know
Acknowledgement of the fact that the ex-partners both have lingering feelings

What it really is
The root of their feelings is deeper than just memories

But still
Despite the realization, the emotional connection remains

You know what I'm sayin', B?
Asking the listener if they can relate

Ran across a picture you took of me
Triggering a trip down memory lane

And it got me thinkin'
Reflecting on the past relationship

'Bout how it used to be
Remembering the good times with his ex-partner

It was just you and me
Recalling the simplicity of their relationship before everything got complicated

Still hear you say you love me
Remembering his ex-partner's profession of love

Put no one else above me
Feeling cherished by his ex-partner

But that was back then now you're just a memory
Realizing that the past relationship is over and it's now only a memory

If I didn't go away to school
Speculating on an alternate scenario

Then where would we be?
Wondering about the hypothetical state of their relationship had he made different choices

Probably still together and somewhere happy
Hypothesizing about the outcome of that alternate scenario

If I'm supposed to be moved on in a new relationship strong
Acknowledging the need to move on and be happy in a new relationship

Then why are you still haunting me?
Questioning why his ex-partner still occupies his thoughts

They say
Referencing a common adage or saying

If you love something, let it go
Quoting the saying that suggests letting go is the best way to keep something you love

And if it comes back, then that's how you know
Continuing with the common saying that suggests that if something returns to you, it was meant to be

I got to the stop light then I made four rights
Describing a trip that took him in a circle, ending up back where he started

Now I'm back where I started
Realizing that he's back in the same emotional place regarding his ex-partner

And you're back in my life
Feeling the weight of his ex-partner's memory

The further I go, the closer I get back to you
Feeling that the more he tries to move on, the more he gets pulled back to his ex-partner

I say I moved on 'til I'm reminded of you
Stating that he's moved on, but his ex-partner still has the power to change that

Can somebody help me?
Asking for assistance in escaping the cycle of haunting memories

Help me get out of this circle (out of this circle)
Asking to break out from the cycle that is causing him pain

I drove past your house the other day
Revealing that he's still keeping tabs on his ex-partner

I didn't even mean to
Feeling guilty about the actions that led him there

I went the wrong way
Emphasizing the unintentional nature of his actions

I ain't seen your mama in a while
Noting how much time has passed since they were together

When she looked at me she smiled
Feeling that his ex-partner's mother still likes him

And asked me if I'm doin' okay
Feeling that she still cares about him

Took everything I had not to bring up your name
Revealing the struggle to keep from mentioning his ex-partner

And wonder if you came home for the holidays, yeah
Speculating on the whereabouts of his ex-partner

She asked if I could stay awhile
Feeling invited and welcomed by his ex-partner's mother

'Cause you had come in town
Referring to his ex-partner coming to town

And you were just five minutes away
Close to his ex-partner, but still separated

Now everybody who's listening to this
Addressing the audience directly

If you got that person that makes you wonder what if
Talking about the itch of an unresolvable question of what could have happened in the past

Let me hear you say yeah (yeah)
Inviting the listener to join in if they relate

If you understand how I feel
Asking for empathy

Then grab that person now and let 'em know what's real
Encouraging openness and honesty in all relationships

Yeah (yeah)
Repeating the invitation for the listener to respond

If you love something, let it go (oh)
Repeating the common saying with an emphasis on the word 'love'

And if it comes back, then that's how you know (that's how you gonna know)
Reiterating the suggestion that the return of the loved thing is meaningful

I say I moved on 'til I'm reminded of you
Repeating the idea that moving on isn't easy

Can somebody help me? (Can somebody help me? Oh)
Repeating the plea for help in escaping the cycle

Help me get out of this circle (out of this circle)
Repeating the request to break out of the cycle