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.”
Room Of Ghosts
Prime Circle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've changed in many ways, you're not the same
Seems you're living day-to-day
Like you're hiding in a room of ghosts again
Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse
It's not the same
Seems we bring it on ourselves
Not to say the things we need to
We become oh something else
Now I'm walking on air, standing tall and finding my belief
We're saying all I have to say right now or all I have to be
Seems we're hiding in a room of ghosts again
Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse
Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse
I can't remember all the things I've done these days
I can't get through the mist
I can't get words to say
And all I know is that I'm trying to change my ways
I hate it when you see that I am not myself at all
Cause I've cried, I've used, I've lied, I've abused
Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse
Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse
The lyrics of Prime Circle's song "Room of Ghosts" explore the idea of changes and struggles in a relationship. The song begins with the notion that someone is not the same as they used to be, living day-to-day and hiding in a room of ghosts. This metaphorical room represents the past and the memories that linger, haunting the present and causing difficulty in moving forward. The chorus reflects the emotional turmoil that arises from these struggles, with the repeated phrase "Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse." The second verse suggests that the relationship has become strained due to the inability to communicate effectively, or to express what needs to be said, which causes people to become someone else altogether. It seems that finally, the singer acknowledges the reality of the situation and desires to move on from the past. The bridge reflects the difficulty in facing one's own actions by admitting that they cannot remember all the things they have done and are struggling to find the right words to say. However, the intended message is one of personal transformation, the realization that change must happen in order to move forward.
One of the most interesting facts about the song is that it was released in 2008 as a part of their album "All Or Nothing" which went on to become four times platinum. They were nominated for "Best Rock: English" for this album in the 2009 South African Music Awards. Another interesting fact is that the band originally formed in 2000 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has released seven studio albums. The song was written by Prime Circle's lead vocalist, Ross Learmonth, who is known for his ability to write powerful lyrics. Interestingly, Learmonth has stated that he often writes about his own experiences and the struggles he has faced throughout his life. The music video for "Room of Ghosts" features the band performing in a room filled with large, glistening white orbs of light that represent a metaphorical room of ghosts. The song has been covered by different artists across the world in various languages.
Here are the chords for "Room of Ghosts":
Verse 1: Am, G, F
Chorus: F, G, Am, Am
Verse 2: Am, G, F
Chorus: F, G, Am, Am
Bridge: F, G, Am, Am
(Disclaimer: These chords are based on personal interpretation and may not be completely accurate)
Line by Line Meaning
You're not the same
The person being addressed has undergone significant change and is no longer recognizable.
You've changed in many ways, you're not the same
The change in the person being addressed is significant and multifaceted.
Seems you're living day-to-day
It appears that the person being addressed is merely surviving from one day to the next.
Like you're hiding in a room of ghosts again
The person being addressed is behaving as though they are in a haunted and eerie space, which suggest that they may be avoiding something which is haunting them.
Cause I cry, I use, I lie, I abuse
The person speaking is admitting to engaging in destructive behavior: crying, using, lying, and abusing.
It's not the same
Something has changed significantly but the singer is not clear on what it is.
The things are getting rough
The situation is getting difficult or challenging for both the singer and the person being addressed.
Seems we bring it on ourselves
The difficulties that arise are a result of the actions of those who are involved.
Not to say the things we need to
There are things that need to be communicated, but for some reason, it is not happening.
We become oh something else
The artist is noting that there is a change or transformation happening to both himself and the person being addressed.
Now I'm walking on air, standing tall and finding my belief
The singer is feeling confident and liberated, as if he has finally found his faith or his way forward.
We're saying all I have to say right now or all I have to be
The artist seems to be implying that he has no more to communicate or to offer, that he has shared everything.
Seems we're hiding in a room of ghosts again
It appears that both the singer and person being addressed are retreating to the same space where they seek refuge from their fears.
I can't remember all the things I've done these days
The singer is revealing that his memory of recent events is hazy or unclear.
I can't get through the mist
The singer is feeling disoriented or lost and cannot seem to find his way forward.
I can't get words to say
Despite being in a difficult situation, the artist is at a loss for words and unable to express himself.
And all I know is that I'm trying to change my ways
The artist is acknowledging that there is something that needs to change about his behavior or attitude in order to find a new path forward.
I hate it when you see that I am not myself at all
The singer is admitting that he does not like being seen by others when he is not himself, and perhaps shirks from this revelation.
Cause I've cried, I've used, I've lied, I've abused
The repetition of this line reveals that the singer is, again, admitting to engaging in destructive behavior that is causing him trouble.
Writer(s): Marco Sergio Gomes, Neil Breytenbach, Ross Andrew Learmonth, Theo Crous, Dale Wayne Schnettler, Dirk Theodorus Bisschoff
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.