After notching up six studio albums, several chart-topping singles, a string of awards and countless sold-out gigs, Prime Circle have earned their status as South African rock royalty. Now they are also making strong inroads into the European market, gigging intensively and being playlisted on German radio – and to crown it all, the band is headlining major German rock festivals.
In mid-2016, Prime Circle's single Ghosts reached the top 150 of Germany’s weekly airplay charts. This came on the back of performing at mega-events such as Rock im Revier, Rockavaria and Rock in Vienna in Germany and Austria alongside Iron Maiden and Iggy Pop, to promote their first official European release, Let the Night In – Deluxe Edition. Prime Circle were also the headline act at the Kieler Woche, the world’s leading sailing event, as well as Hamburg Harley Days – the biggest annual Harley Davidson gathering in Germany. They also took their powerful live act to football audiences at the UEFA Champions League Festival in Milan.
Between July and September, Prime Circle were booked to open as special guests for Berlin superstars The BossHoss during a succession of German festival dates. And in August, the band was invited to headline the Rock Auf Der Berg Königstein and the Pflasterfest in Hameln, also in Germany – an outstanding achievement and a fitting tribute to their persistent hard work and dedication.
Formed in Witbank, Mpumalanga, in 2001, Prime Circle have demonstrated unparallelled staying power with a dynamic signature sound that continues to evolve in exciting, progressive directions. The five members have shown it is possible to be a successful and enduring South African rock act by constantly challenging themselves while exploring new geographical and musical horizons. Their six albums – Hello Crazy World (2003), Live This Life (2005), All or Nothing (2008), Jeckyll & Hyde (2010), Evidence (2012) and Let the Night In (2014) – have all reached gold or platinum status, morphing in style from commercial, anthemic radio hits to a harder, edgier sound.
Prime Circle have won several South African Music Awards for their albums and music videos, including Best Music Video of the Year at the SAMA XXI category as well as nominated for the MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Pop & Alternative Act and Best Music Video of the Year for their single DOORS off their album Let The Night In. The band was also nominated for Best Artist in African Rock at the All Africa Music Awards.
Over the past few years, they have taken their well-crafted tunes and powerful live energy to international markets while not forgetting their massive South African fan base. They have toured extensively throughout Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland – as well as Germany, which is fast becoming the band’s second home. Says singer-songwriter Ross Learmonth: “Without the fans, we would be nothing. And I don’t ever want to do anything else. Creating music for a living is a privilege, and we never forget that.”
Always Surrounded
Prime Circle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to make my way
Trying to see what I've become and
Nothing's making sense
All around just seems so tense
And I don't know what I'm waiting for
As I get up off the floor as I've done
I realize that there's more to this
Been hidden deep inside in a place
I can't describe
I wanna see I wanna be more
What am I supposed to do
Always surrounded by the likes of you
What am I supposed to do
Always surrounded by the like of you
Now the key is right in front of me
Try to reach just to set free
Turn the clock and I'm breaking
Out of here
Hope my courage doesn't fail me
Hope my past don't trail me
Just wanna see wanna be more
What am I supposed to do
Always surrounded by the likes of you
What am I supposed to do
Always surrounded by the like of you
The song "Always Surrounded" by Prime Circle is a story of an individual who finds himself stuck in life and unable to make sense of his surroundings. The lyrics indicate that he has been trapped in his current situation for several days, and despite his efforts, he cannot seem to find direction. The singer is searching for a way to understand who he is and what he wants, but he feels lost in the chaos around him. He is confused by the tense environment and cannot seem to find a way out.
As the song progresses, the singer has an epiphany. Like he has been up so many times before, he realizes that there is more to him than what meets the eye. The singer has been hiding in a place he cannot describe, and he wants to break free and discover more about himself.
The lyrics "Always surrounded by the likes of you" suggest that the singer feels trapped by the people around him. He may feel misunderstood, oppressed or unsupported by those closest to him. However, the key is right in front of him, and he is determined to break free.
In summary, the song is about self-discovery and the struggle to find one's path in life. It highlights the importance of courage and overcoming fear to achieve personal growth and break free from the constraints of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been locked in here for days
I have been stuck in this place without any progress or positive outcome for days.
Trying to make my way
Attempting to find a path or direction to move forward and progress in life.
Trying to see what I've become and
Striving to comprehend and understand what I have become and am currently facing in life.
Nothing's making sense
Feeling lost and confused with no clear understanding, goals, or logic in life.
All around just seems so tense
The atmosphere and environment feel heavy, apprehensive, and stress-inducing.
And I don't know what I'm waiting for
Being clueless and uncertain about my expectations, hopes and the future I hope to achieve.
As I get up off the floor as I've done
Having encountered failures in life before, persisting to get up and take another shot despite the disappointments faced.
So many time before
Having faced numerous disappointments and trying again repeatedly despite being knocked down.
I realize that there's more to this
The understanding dawns on me that there's more to life, more to explore beyond the current limitations.
Been hidden deep inside in a place
An unexplored part of my personality and character, which I am yet to recognize or acknowledge.
I can't describe
It is not clear or may be subconsciously present but challenging to express or comprehend.
I wanna see I wanna be more
I have a desire to discover and explore the unknown depths of my personality, skills, and capacity for self-development.
What am I supposed to do
Uncertainties and confusion about the correct course of action to take.
Always surrounded by the likes of you
Certain individuals or a particular environment that seems to be distracting and preventing me from attaining my goals.
Now the key is right in front of me
An opportunity or solution that is within reach that could provide a path to progress and success.
Try to reach just to set free
Making an effort to unlock the opportunity or solution that could lead to attaining my goals.
Turn the clock and I'm breaking
The moment that I take action to utilize the opportunities available, progress begins and positive change starts to happen.
Out of here
Leaving behind the limiting environment or situation that had been preventing positive progress.
Hope my courage doesn't fail me
Desiring to possess the bravery and resilience needed to take action and make progress, without giving up or backing down.
Hope my past don't trail me
Aspiring to leave behind or resolve any lingering issues from the past that might hinder the effort to make progress.
Just wanna see wanna be more
Having a strong motivation to explore and discover more about my personality, potential, and capacity to grow.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.