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.”
Father
Prime Circle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey you, watch your back
Someone's coming closely on your heels
I think they want something
I wish it was nothing
But I feel overwhelmed
By things that I just should have done
I kinda see I'm waking up again
Cos I'm the father
The choice I make, the rules I break
And I'm not letting go
I wish I didn't know so much
And I believe that I should make amends
And I dressed up just to hear your call
I waited here in the corner of my world
Now, step back, embrace my words
Embrace the feeling and all those things you heard
I know you didn't listen very well
But I
I'm caught in wave I'm caught in between
Something that's not like me
I got a siege I'm awaken up again
Cos I'm the father
The choice I make, the rules I break
And I'm not letting go
I wish I didn't know so much
And I believe that I should make amends
And I dressed up just to hear your call
I waited here in the corner of my world
In the corner of my world
Cos I'm the father
The choice I make, the rules I break
And I'm not letting go
I wish I didn't know so much
And I believe that I should make amends
And I dressed up just to hear your call
I waited here in the corner of my world
Cos I'm the father
I'm the leader
And it's all part of me
I'm so worried about deceptions
I'm so worried about pain
Even though I try I see the answers
I push my fears aside
But I'm still worried about the questions
That my heart still has to find
Cos I'm the father
The lyrics to Prime Circle's song "Father" delve into the complex emotions and responsibilities of being a father. The singer acknowledges the pressure of being constantly watched and pursued by others, which leaves him feeling overwhelmed. He regrets past decisions and wishes he could undo certain things. However, he realizes that he must face the consequences of his actions and is determined to make amends. The line "I dressed up just to hear your call, I waited here in the corner of my world" suggests that he is willing to do whatever it takes to be there for his child and is waiting patiently for a connection with them.
The song addresses the internal struggle of being a father, emphasizing the weight of the choices made and the rules broken. The singer acknowledges that he possesses knowledge he wishes he didn't have, implying that being aware of certain truths can be burdensome. Despite this, he feels compelled to take responsibility for his actions and make things right. The repeated refrain "I'm the father" emphasizes his role and the significant impact it has on his life.
Overall, "Father" portrays the conflicting emotions and challenges that come with fatherhood, acknowledging the mistakes and regrets while also expressing the desire to be present and supportive.
Line by Line Meaning
I said
I expressed
Hey you, watch your back
Be cautious and aware of what's behind you
Someone's coming closely on your heels
There is someone following closely behind you
I think they want something
I believe they have a desire or motive
I wish it was nothing
I desire for it to be insignificant or of no importance
But I feel overwhelmed
Yet, I am experiencing a feeling of being overcome or overburdened
By things that I just should have done
Because of tasks or actions that I ought to have completed
I kinda see I'm waking up again
I somewhat realize that I am becoming conscious or aware again
Cos I'm the father
Because I am the one in charge or responsible
The choice I make, the rules I break
The decisions I make and the boundaries I violate
And I'm not letting go
And I am not relinquishing control or giving up
I wish I didn't know so much
I desire to not possess as much knowledge or understanding
And I believe that I should make amends
And I hold the belief that I should rectify or reconcile
And I dressed up just to hear your call
And I adorned myself in a certain way in anticipation of receiving your communication
I waited here in the corner of my world
I patiently remained in a secluded place within my own reality
Now, step back, embrace my words
Now, distance yourself, accept and internalize my words
Embrace the feeling and all those things you heard
Welcome and accept the emotion and all the things you were told
I know you didn't listen very well
I am aware that you did not pay close attention or listen attentively
But I
However, I
I'm caught in wave I'm caught in between
I am engulfed in a surge of emotion, I am stuck in a state of uncertainty
Something that's not like me
Something that is unusual or out of character for me
I got a siege I'm awaken up again
I am experiencing an attack, I am being brought back to consciousness again
Cos I'm the father
Because I am the one in charge or responsible
And it's all part of me
And it is all a component of who I am
I'm so worried about deceptions
I am greatly concerned about being deceived or misled
I'm so worried about pain
I am deeply anxious about experiencing suffering or distress
Even though I try I see the answers
Despite my efforts, I perceive the solutions or responses
I push my fears aside
I suppress or disregard my fears
But I'm still worried about the questions
But I am still anxious about the unresolved inquiries
That my heart still has to find
That my innermost being still needs to discover
Cos I'm the father
Because I am the one in charge or responsible
Lyrics © DAVID GRESHAM MUSIC
Written by: Gerhart Venter, Marcos Gomes, Ross Learmonth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
B Phakathi
This is the song that got me to appreciate rock. Still sounds good and fresh. Wow!
Michael Maphumulo
old school but i still enjoy this tune
Shaun Boucher
How does this only have 550 views? This is FANTASTIC
August Horch
underrated like some others; shinedown;pop evil, triddana....