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.”
Tear It Down
Prime Circle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do, I do
Thinking of ways to defuse the bomb
And were all about to break the silence
Were all about to push some good
And then were coming up coming up faster
Than we ever thought we could
After all they put us through
After all that we've been through
Were gonna tear it all down
Tear it all down
Tear it up tear it down
Hey hey hey what you gonna say
I wonder why the wheel it turns so fast
I Hope I hope
I hope this moment is gonna last
And time it moves so quickly sometimes
Faster than it should
But then were coming up coming up faster
Than they ever thought we could
After all that we've been through
After all they put us through
After all that we've been through
Were gonna tear it all down
Tear it all down
Tear it up tear it down
Come up come see oh what is going down
Cause the world is coming out to scream aloud
After all we've been through
Were gonna tear it all down
In "Tear It Down," Prime Circle speaks to the struggles and frustrations of navigating through life, particularly when facing obstacles that seem almost insurmountable. The song starts with the singer introspecting and reflecting on how things usually go awry despite one's best efforts. He wishes to defuse the bomb that's about to explode while there's still time to prevent the damage. Soon, he senses the collective angst building up and the quiet before the storm as everyone gets ready to push through and take a stand. The song's catchy chorus exclaims a strong desire to dismantle everything and espouses tearing down anything that doesn't work or that others have put in the way.
The singer is in awe of how swiftly life moves and hopes that this moment of unity will last. The following lines imply that there is a sense of urgency in their actions as time is moving faster than it should. Despite all of the upheaval, Prime Circle's lyrics proclaim that they are coming up stronger and faster than anyone anticipated. The song ends with an intensified call-to-action to tear everything down and to be unapologetic about it.
Overall, "Tear It Down" is a poignant metaphor for life's trials and tribulations. The song encourages breaking down the things holding us back and building something better in their place. It shows how we can take life's difficulties and use them as a catalyst for growth and change.
Line by Line Meaning
I think about the way that things go on.
Reflecting on the events that occur and their consequences.
Thinking of ways to defuse the bomb
Considering various methods to prevent a bad situation from getting worse.
And were all about to break the silence
Everyone is getting ready to speak up and take action.
Were all about to push some good
There is a collective effort to do something positive.
And then were coming up coming up faster
Progress is being made and things are improving quickly.
After all that we've been through
Despite the challenges and hardships we've faced.
After all they put us through
Despite the obstacles and setbacks caused by others.
Were gonna tear it all down
Disrupting the status quo to create change.
Tear it all down
Dismantling something completely.
Tear it up tear it down
Destroying something completely and thoroughly.
Hey hey hey what you gonna say
A call to action and an invitation for everyone to have their say.
I wonder why the wheel it turns so fast
Pondering the speed at which time and events move.
I hope this moment is gonna last
Expressing a desire for a positive moment to continue.
And time it moves so quickly sometimes
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of time and how it can pass by quickly.
Faster than it should
Moving quicker than anticipated or desirable.
Come up come see oh what is going down
Inviting people to witness and be a part of a critical moment.
Cause the world is coming out to scream aloud
People are taking a stand and making their voices heard.
After all we've been through
Despite everything that has happened and every challenge we've faced.
Were gonna tear it all down
We are committed to making significant changes and disrupting the status quo.
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.