Chicago rapper/producer Saba first caught the attention of listeners as a frequent collaborator of Chance the Rapper. Saba's contributions to Chance songs like 2013's "Everybody's Something" and 2015's "Angels" showcased his range as both a rapper and vocalist and paved the way for his introspective debut studio album, Bucket List Project, in 2016. The loss of a close family member inspired 2018's Care for Me, a tragically beautiful album that explored death, mourning, and life after losing a loved one.
Saba (Tahj Malik Chandler) grew up on the West Side of Chicago, specifically within the Austin neighborhood, as part of a deeply musical family. That's also where he formed Pivot Gang, a group of longtime associates that has featured, among others, his brother Jerrel (aka Joseph Chilliams), cousin Walter Long (aka John Walt), Logan Yutters (aka MFn Melo), Frsh Waters, and DJ Damnage. Saba recorded several solo mixtapes -- his first were issued while he was an introverted high-schooler -- and gained traction with ComfortZone, a 2014 release inspired by his father's neo-soul recordings that capitalized on his contributions to awareness-raising tracks by fellow Chicagoans Chance the Rapper and Mick Jenkins. In 2015, Saba appeared as featured artist on several cuts, including Chance's "Angels," Jenkins' "Slumber," and Odd Couple's "What Kings Do." Additionally, he released the reflective Tink collaboration "Temporary," one of his most commercial songs to date.
In late 2016, Saba self-released the LP Bucket List Project, featuring artists like fellow Chicagoan rappers Noname and Twista. In February of 2017, Saba's cousin, mentor, and Pivot Gang collaborator Walter Long was violently murdered by a stranger. Saba reflected on the scars left by this horrible loss throughout his second album, CARE FOR ME, which was released in April of 2018. The vulnerable and emotionally complex album broke through with critics and took Saba's music to new audiences. He followed in November of that year with "Beautiful Smile," a collaborative single with Maryland rapper IDK.
an Interlude Called โCircusโ
Saba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back in 2012 before our record hit the surface
Had a few girls I was jugglin', I ain't ever did the circus
Had the phone by Motorola, but that bitch was out of service
My car go in and out like you tryna resuscitate it
Ayy, we on the way, but only fifty-fifty chance we make it
Ayy, we never say "Goodbye", no "See you 'round", no "See you later"
Ayy, this Chicago, when you leave, we say be safe here (this Chicago, nigga)
'Bout time, I think it's 'bout time
Back then, we didn't abide by
Now I tend to spend my time (time flies), I think about us
Chillin' on the, uh, yeah, everything was perfect
All the small things about bein' broke, I never got to notice
I took everything for granted when the moment was slow motion
Got into a fender bender, whip so broken, it was totaled (totaled)
Not to sound like I don't appreciate what they pay me
But all the days in the basement, we tryin' to recreate it
Was eyein' a freaky lady from my high school, now she hoein'
She lookin' at how he glow up, fifty-fifty chance she goin'
Chillin' on the westside, everything was perfect
Back in 2012 before our record hit the surface
Had a few girls I was jugglin', I ain't ever did the circus
Had the phone by Motorola, but (blink, motherfucker)
My car go in and out like you tryna resuscitate it
Ayy, we on the way, but only fifty-fifty chance we make it
Ayy, we never say "Goodbye", no "See you 'round", no "See you later"
Ayy, this Chicago (this Chicago, nigga)
The song "Circus" by Saba is a nostalgic reflection on the past, specifically the year 2012, before the rapper and his music hit the mainstream. The singer reminisces about the days when he was living on the west side of Chicago, before the stresses and complications of fame, success, and adulthood. The opening quatrain sets the scene, with the singer contentedly chilling with multiple girlfriends (whom he claims to have not treated like a circus), using an outdated phone, and driving a car that is prone to breaking down. The lyrics are full of specific and vivid details, creating a sense of time and place that anchors the song in a personal and emotional reality.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more introspective and self-critical. He regrets not appreciating the small things in life when he was younger and poorer, and acknowledging how he had taken things for granted. He also recalls getting into a car accident that resulted in his car being totaled, adding to his feelings of regret and uncertainty. The final lines of the song express a bittersweet sense of longing and loss, acknowledging that the singer and his friends have grown up and moved on, but still holding onto their memories of that perfect year before everything changed.
Line by Line Meaning
Chillin' on the westside, everything was perfect
Life was going well for me, hanging out in the western part of the city, enjoying all the good things it had to offer.
Back in 2012 before our record hit the surface
This was a time before my music became widely popular and my life was simpler.
Had a few girls I was jugglin', I ain't ever did the circus
I was dating multiple women at the same time but I never got caught in a dramatic situation like a love triangle.
Had the phone by Motorola, but that bitch was out of service
I owned a Motorola phone but it was not functional and couldn't be used to make calls.
My car go in and out like you tryna resuscitate it
My car was unreliable and kept stalling on me, as if I was constantly trying to bring it back to life.
Ayy, we on the way, but only fifty-fifty chance we make it
We were headed somewhere but there was a fifty-fifty chance that we would actually get there safely.
Ayy, we never say "Goodbye", no "See you 'round", no "See you later"
In Chicago, we don't say goodbye, we just tell people to be safe as we part ways.
Ayy, this Chicago, when you leave, we say be safe here (this Chicago, nigga)
This is being repeated to emphasize that this is the way people say goodbye in Chicago.
'Bout time, I think it's 'bout time
It's about time for me to reflect on the past.
Back then, we didn't abide by
In the past, we didn't follow rules or expectations as closely as we do now.
Now I tend to spend my time (time flies), I think about us
These days, time seems to go by faster and I find myself reminiscing about the past.
All the small things about bein' broke, I never got to notice
When I was broke, I didn't appreciate the little things in life because I was so focused on trying to make it big in the music industry.
I took everything for granted when the moment was slow motion
When times were slow and uneventful, I didn't realize how good I had it.
Got into a fender bender, whip so broken, it was totaled (totaled)
I got into a car accident that wrecked my car beyond repair.
Not to sound like I don't appreciate what they pay me
I don't want to come across as ungrateful for the money I'm making as an artist.
But all the days in the basement, we tryin' to recreate it
Despite the success I've achieved, I still long for the days when I was grinding and trying to make it big from my basement studio.
Was eyein' a freaky lady from my high school, now she hoein'
I was interested in a girl from my high school who has now turned to prostitution.
She lookin' at how he glow up, fifty-fifty chance she goin'
She is now interested in me because of my success, but there's only a fifty-fifty chance that we'll actually connect.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerrel Chandler, Pharris Thomas, Tahj Chandler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meroraroome
L Y R I C S
Chillin' on the Westside, everything was perfect
Back in 2012 before our record hit the surface
Had a few girls, I was jugglin', I ain't ever did the circus
Had a phone by Motorola, but that bitch was out of service
My car go in and out like you tryna resuscitate it
Ayy, we on the way, but only 50-50 chance we make it
Ayy, we never say goodbye, no see you 'round or see you later
Ayy, this Chicago, when you leave, we say "Be safe" here (this Chigaco, nigga)
'Bout time, I think it's 'bout time
Back thะตn, we didn't abide by
Now I tend to spะตnd my time
(Time flies) I think about us
Chillin' on the, uh, yeah, everything was perfect
All the small things about bein' broke I never got to notice
I took everything for granted when the moment was slow motion
Got into a fender bender, whip so broken, it was totaled
Not to sound like I don't appreciate what they pay me
But all of the days in the basement, we tryin' to recreate it
Was eyein' a freaky lady from my high school, now she hoein'
She lookin' at how he glow up, 50-50 chance she goin'
Chillin' on the westside, everything was perfect
Back in 2012 before our record hit the surface
Had a few girls, I was jugglin', I ain't ever did the circus
Had a phone by Motorola, but (blink, motherfucker)
My car go in and out like you tryna resuscitate it
Ayy, we on the way, but only 50-50 chance we make it
Ayy, we never say goodbye, no see you 'round or see you later
Ayy, this Chicago (this Chicago, nigga)
@SabaPIVOT
See you soon ๐ฟ
http://sabapivot.com/tour
@bancf3153
โ๏ธ ๐
@mytag.
๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญnah this isn't fair. Your interlude is one of the best songs I've heard og
@joshuagramlick9051
Fr
@Batman2StaticShock
๐ฏIt makes you dance๐
@thomasferguson3991
Ikr ๐ญ๐ญ we need a full lenth version
@LP-my2ml
HONESTLY!!! AN INTERLUDE!!! AMAZING
@Brian-sw6tp
Fr this so good
@jj2wavvy4
Crazy how sabas interludes be better than whole niggas albums
@jovannemarquis6623
G SHIT