On the morning of September 3, 2007, keyboardist Carter Albrecht was shot in the head and killed by a Dallas neighbor, who was ostensibly firing a "warning shot" at a man banging on his door.
Circle
New Bohemians Lyrics
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And we notice you don't come around
Me, I think it all depends on you
Touching ground with us but
I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems
And I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
And being alone is the, is the best way to be
When I'm by myself it's the best way to be
When I'm all alone it's the best way to be
When I'm by myself, nobody else can say goodbye
Everything is temporary anyway
When the streets are wet, the colors slip into the sky
But I don't know why that means you and I are
That means you and I
I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems
And I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems
And being alone is the, is the best way to be
When I'm by myself, it's the best way to be
When I'm all alone, it's the best way to be
When I'm by myself, nobody else can say
Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
And we noticed you don't come around
La la la la la la la
The opening lines of New Bohemians' "Circle" describe a speaker who is part of a group of friends that has noticed one person's absence. The lyrics suggest that this person has isolated themselves and has not been participating in the group's activities. The singer acknowledges that whether or not this person returns to the group "all depends on you," indicating that whatever personal struggles or issues they are facing need to be worked out first.
The song then shifts to the singer's own feelings of giving up and quitting because nothing seems to be good enough for anyone else. This sense of hopelessness and frustration leads the singer to prefer being alone and not having to deal with the expectations or judgments of others. The repetition of the phrase "being alone is the best way to be" emphasizes this sentiment.
In the final verse, the singer muses on the temporary nature of life and how even the vibrant colors of the world can slip away in the rain. The contrast between the fleeting nature of things and the enduring quality of being alone is further underscored. The song concludes with a repetition of the opening lines, returning to the absent friend and the group's concern for them.
Overall, "Circle" speaks to the complexities of relationships and the individual struggle to find one's place in the world. The lyrics touch on feelings of alienation, frustration, and the desire for independence, while also suggesting the importance of human connection and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
The singer is a member of the listener's group of friends
And we notice you don't come around
The group has noticed the listener's absence
Me, I think it all depends on you
The singer believes the listener's presence is up to them
Touching ground with us but
The artist wants the listener to connect with the group
I quit, I give up, nothing's good enough for anybody else / It seems
The artist feels like they can't please anyone
And being alone is the, is the best way to be / When I'm by myself it's the best way to be / When I'm all alone it's the best way to be / When I'm by myself, nobody else can say goodbye
The singer prefers being alone because it prevents goodbyes and disappointment
Everything is temporary anyway / When the streets are wet, the colors slip into the sky / But I don't know why that means you and I are / That means you and I
The singer reflects on the temporary nature of life and the connection they have with the listener
La la la la la la la
This is a nonsensical refrain that does not add to the song's meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Aly, Edie Arlisa Brickell, John Bradley Houser, John Walter Bush, Kenneth Neil Withrow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Annamariah Knox
LYRICS:
Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
And we, Notice you don't come around
And me, I think it all depends
On you, Touching ground with us, but
I quit, I give up
Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and, I quit
I give up, Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and
And being alone is the
Is the best way to be
When I'm by myself
It's the best way to be
When I'm all alone
It's the best way to be
When I'm by myself
Nobody else can say goodbye
Everything is temporary anyway
When the streets are wet
The colors slip into the sky
But I don't know why
That means you and I are
That means you and I
I quit, I give up
Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and, I quit, I give up
Nothing's good enough for anybody else
It seems, and
And being alone is the
Is the best way to be
When I'm by myself
It's the best way to be
When I'm all alone
It's the best way to be
When I'm by myself
Nobody else can say
Me
I'm a part of your circle of friends
And we
Notice you don't come around
La la la la, la la la la la
Jeff G
In the 80's we had both Circle, and Circle Jerks.
this song was so well written. Songs that do well at gatherings are ones we all innately connect with.
You don't have to really even know the song (everyone already does ...), but just saying the first time you hear it, you get it - in a verse, you connect with it.
It is a little bit depressing though too. She's not exactly happy is she. She's more wanting to drink, and that's what this song is geared towards -> drinking.
It's not really happy, but it feels good to know the hardship is shared amongst the crowd, and you're not the only one, so there is a sense of euphoria mixed into this unhappy character - like the relief of not having to care or something (at least for a few hours ...) - and you know almost everyone is right there with you.
It's also really hard to determine the content for these type of songs - what we all connect with, because often, especially when younger, we don't know ... we only know what we feel, and those around us, but often not even those around us. How much did you discuss your personal life during puberty? Well, for most people (95%+), it wouldn't have been a conversation they really wanted to have. Well, all that's forced upon us by the dbags above ..., but it's forced on all of us, so at least we're on equal ground - that makes everyone happy, right?
Did I mention our societies are broken? Our oft unhappiness (for many) isn't just forced upon us tho - it's our societies, but I'll stop there on that topic ... But basically, what I'm saying is the dbags above put us in a very difficult scenario - even BEFORE accounting for our very broken societies. From the getgo, the ones above really d*cked us over. Now mix in a bunch of greedy people being driven by quite stupid and awful "societal norms" (dictated by ultra wealthy investors of course)
Another good blast from the past - bet nobody (if anyone reading this) has heard this one in a while:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OeqLjJtj48
Patrice S
“When I’m by myself, nobody else can say ‘goodbye’.” MAN. Edie really did me in with that line. It’s still hits hard till this day.
All Crime with Andi ♡
You aren't kidding. I feel this so bad. It's not temporary. This is so different to me now that my little sister passed. I am a loner. I relate. I don't come around anymore.
Lorenzo Von Matterhorn
Yeah she really cut deep on that one. I am a loner as well
All Crime with Andi ♡
@Lorenzo Von Matterhorn hi Tim. I like it better. ❤️
Neel
i wonder if she knew how profound those words are
Cannabis Adventures with HighRy
For real it makes me tear up everytime
Willy Dafoe
"Everything is temporary anyway". Great line.
Alicia Dewbre
I agree, that is one hell of a catch phrase
Fergus Burns
+Alicia Dewbre It's like when the Indigo Girls sing, "it's only life after all."
John Valades
Willy Dafoe, u are cool!