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.”
Breathing
Prime Circle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop the world
Stop the time
It's always running
Just trying to catch my breath
Just trying to take it in
Unfold and calculate
Here's to the good times
The bad times
The times that could have been
To the wrong times
The right times
I know we'll breathe again
Until then...
Until then...
[Chorus]
Suppose that we got older
Suppose that we'd begin
Suppose that I stopped running
It could begin again
Suppose in life we made it
I'm never looking back
I'm never looking back
The hardest part of letting go
Not easy to believe
And sometimes you'll just never know
Gets harder to perceive
You're gone
You're long gone
[Chorus]
I know you can see it, now
Can't feel it, after all
Seems it's us versus time
Think we made up our minds
All that's left is just to see
[Chorus] x2
Here's to the good times
The bad times
The times that could have been...
The song "Breathing" by Prime Circle is a thought-provoking piece that talks about the struggles and triumphs of life. The lyrics tell the story of someone who is trying to keep up with the world and is just trying to catch their breath amidst the chaos of life. The song emphasizes the importance of taking a step back and focusing on what is essential in life. The lyrics suggest that it is important to let go of the past, live in the present, and be prepared to face the future.
The first verse talks about stopping time, and catching one's breath, which means taking a break from the race of life and assessing the situation instead of trying to keep up with it. The second verse talks about reaching for something, which suggests that the songwriter is looking for something in life to fulfill and satisfy them. The chorus suggests that life is always moving on, and one has to make decisions that will shape their future. It also says that it's important to focus on the present and not dwell on the past.
The bridge of the song evokes the emotions of letting go and moving on. The hardest part of letting go is never easy, and sometimes it's hard to know when to let go fully. The singer talks about how hard it is to perceive the truth sometimes.
The song ends with the chorus, which reminds the listener that every moment in life, good or bad, is necessary to shape the future. The lyrics suggest that we should be thankful for the lessons life teaches us and appreciate every moment.
Overall, "Breathing" by Prime Circle is a moving and insightful piece that reminds us to focus on the present, learn from our past, and be prepared to face the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Step back
Take a moment to pause and reflect on your current situation
Stop the world
Expresses the desire to have control over life’s overwhelming flow
Stop the time
Describes the feeling of life passing by too quickly.
It's always running
Life feels like it's moving too fast and is constantly changing
Just trying to catch my breath
Describes feeling overwhelmed and needing a break
Just trying to take it in
Attempting to absorb all the information or emotion and processing it
Unfold and calculate
Deliberately processing, analyzing, and considering choices
Concentrate and reach for something
Emphasizing that focus and determination could lead to achieving personal goals
Here's to the good times
Celebrating happy and positive moments
The bad times
Acknowledging the difficult and painful experiences
The times that could have been
Mourning missed opportunities or regrets
To the wrong times
Reflecting on past mistakes and poor decisions
The right times
Recognizing moments of positive choices and success
I know we'll breathe again
Describing feeling hopeless or in despair but remaining optimistic
Until then...
Holding onto hope and striving towards personal goals
Suppose that we got older
Pondering on the idea of aging
Suppose that we'd begin
Questioning the start of something new
Suppose that I stopped running
Describing the choice of avoiding problems rather than facing them
It could begin again
Expresses that there is always time for a new start
Suppose in life we made it
Thinking about the successes in life
I'm never looking back
Looking towards the future instead of dwelling on the past
The hardest part of letting go
Recognizes that moving on from something can be difficult and painful
Not easy to believe
Expressing doubt or uncertainty
And sometimes you'll just never know
Acknowledging the fact that sometimes things happen that will never be understood
Gets harder to perceive
Describing the difficulty of processing and understanding complex emotions or situations
You're gone
Expressing that someone or something has left, whether it be physically or emotionally
You're long gone
Describing someone or something that has been gone for a lengthy time
I know you can see it, now
Expressing knowledge that something has been revealed
Can't feel it, after all
Acknowledging the sense of detachment from an emotion or situation
Seems it's us versus time
Describing the feeling of racing against the clock
Think we made up our minds
Expresses that a decision has been made
All that's left is just to see
Waiting for the result of the decision
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zandilemadonsela1811
As a black township lil girl everyone thought I was weird for listening to this song and many more. I will forever hold the Prime Circle closer in my heart ❤️
@kram9076
Same here. My mom says I'm white. But I just love music in general and I recently went to their concert, it was amazing didn't want it to end.
@BrunoSilva-vb5gj
Music is not about “colours” but good taste.
Kind regards.
@izziennegerwel
Same but still loved all music
@iwasspecial5444
Same same, I'm a dude and growing up watching TV, I'm still here searching for something to reminisce, hey help me look for it? I forgot the title
@doretbezuidenhout5448
Find the song sleeping satelite you will simply love it
@NitaSwanepoel
I am very proud to be a South African and I'm also proud that Prime Circle is truly a South African band. No South African singer must step back for the greatest singers in the world.
@fowtrot
No one is the best, just grateful for prime circle adding their voice to my chapter in life. Never looking back
@mandlakhanye4707
Fucking best SA Band by miles. I never miss seeing them live each time they perform in my hood
@ca9968
A real pity you weren`t around when Saron Gas (Now Seether) were around...the late 90`s were a treasure trove of great local bands in SA...