The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, "Leona," in 1984. That success was quickly followed by their first #1 hit, "Step That Step". The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s. But radio success was not really Sawyer Brown's strong suit. It never was. Rather, they have been successful due to their live performances. Fans flock to the band's concerts year after year, whether the band performs in a stadium, state fair, or casino. The live shows, more than anything, sustained the band until 1989's remake of the George Jones hit "The Race Is On" put them back near the top of the charts.
In 1991, after the release of their album Buick, guitarist Bobby Randall left the group to remain close to his family and host a short-lived TV talent show, You Can Be A Star. Duncan Cameron, formerly of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, was chosen as his replacement just as Sawyer Brown was about to become country music's "it" band. The band then switched labels, moving to Curb Records and releasing the albums The Dirt Road, Cafe On The Corner, and Outskirts Of Town, which saw hit after hit for the band in the early to mid-'90s.
Sawyer Brown was all over country music radio and television for much of the decade. After 1999's Top 10 hit "Drive Me Wild," however, the country music industry seemed to forget about Sawyer Brown in favor of newer acts like Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.
The band was having ups and downs in the charts again – mostly downs. In 2003, they parted with Curb, their record label of eleven years, and signed with Lyric Street Records. They released one single, "I'll Be Around", and then left Lyric Street as well. In 2004, they re-signed with Curb, but Duncan Cameron decided to leave the group to pursue a life-long dream of flying for Southwest Airlines.
Guitarist Shayne Hill was added to the lineup as they prepared for the release of their 20th album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. While Sawyer Brown is still looking to reclaim the top of the charts, their live shows continue to keep the band going strong.
Circles
Sawyer Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One around my coffee cup
One around the hands of time
And that big orange ball a comin' up
There's one around my eight to five
Four beneath me when I drive
An extra one for overtime…circles
There'll be one in the hugs around my legs
And one around the table holdin' hands and sayin' grace
[Chorus]
I thank God for circles
For you for me for family and friends
I thank God for circles
May they go ‘round and ‘round and never have to end
There's one around the block
There's always one around the bend
Any to and from you go
And back again
Some are green and some are golden
Summer turns to winter cold
And into spring the seasons roll circles
There'll be one around the candles
One around the birthday cakes
One around the table holdin' hands and sayin' grace
[Chorus]
There's one around the world
That goes around so we can see it all
One around the halo
When we're called
[Chorus]
May they go 'round and 'round and never have to end
I thank God for family circles, may we find and have so many more of them
The song "Circles" by Sawyer Brown is a tribute to the circles of life that surround and connect us all. Throughout the song, the lyrics detail the various circles that the singer encounters in his daily life, from the circle around his finger to the circles he drives around the block. The chorus thanks God for circles, emphasizing the importance of family and friends and their continued presence in our lives.
The song begins by noting the circle around the singer's finger, perhaps a wedding band, which symbolizes his commitment to his spouse. The circle around his coffee cup and the hands of time represent the daily rhythms of life, and the circle of the sun rising and setting. The singer also notes the circles of his work life, including the hours he puts in and the overtime he works.
The next verse describes the various circles that the singer encounters as he moves through the world, from the circles of the seasons to the circles of the candles on a birthday cake. The singer expresses gratitude for the many circles in his life, including the ones that connect him to his family and friends. The song ends by affirming that the singer hopes these circles will continue to go around and never end.
Overall, "Circles" is a poignant song that reminds us of the importance of the people and relationships in our lives, and the interconnectedness of all things through the cycles of time and change.
Line by Line Meaning
There's one around my finger
A ring around the finger symbolizing a relationship that lasts forever
One around my coffee cup
A repetitive daily routine of drinking coffee
One around the hands of time
The cycle of time that never stops
And that big orange ball a comin' up
The rising of the sun every morning
There's one around my eight to five
A work schedule that repeats day after day
Four beneath me when I drive
The four wheels of the car that take me from one place to another
An extra one for overtime…circles
The extra time and effort put into working to earn a living
There'll be one in the hugs around my legs
The embrace of a loved one that never fades
And one around my waist
The connection between two people in a romantic relationship
And one around the table holdin' hands and sayin' grace
The unity of family and friends gathered around a table to pray and give thanks
There's one around the block
A route of familiarity within the community
There's always one around the bend
The anticipation of discovering what's ahead
Any to and from you go
The paths we take to and from our daily activities
And back again
The eventual return to where we started
Some are green and some are golden
The changing of seasons and the beauty that comes with it
Summer turns to winter cold
The natural cycle of the year and the change that occurs
And into spring the seasons roll circles
The continuous repetition of the seasons, representing the circle of life
There'll be one around the candles
The tradition of lighting candles for special occasions
One around the birthday cakes
The celebration of life each year
There'll be one around the table holdin' hands and sayin' grace
The importance of gathering around the table as a family and giving thanks
There's one around the world
The circumference of the earth, representing the unity of all people
That goes around so we can see it all
The earth's rotation that allows for the passage of time and the changing of perspectives
One around the halo
The circle representing the divine and spiritual aspects of life
When we're called
The circle of life that comes to an end eventually
May they go 'round and 'round and never have to end
The hope and desire for the continuity of these circles in life
I thank God for family circles, may we find and have so many more of them
Expressing gratitude towards the importance of family circles, wishing for more of them in the future
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ALLEN LOGGINS, MARV GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind