Bandleader/founder Kirkwood began writing music as a teenager as an outlet for the pain he felt from parents' divorce. Guitarist Perry was the first to join up with Kirkwood's new project, and was quickly followed by the others as the newly formed quartet set up shop in Dallas. Seven Channels issued the independently released EP International Wonderful, and began gigging on a regular basis -- leading to being selected as one of the "Top Five Unsigned Bands in America" on VH1's 1999 Rock Across America Tour.
The new group caught a break when they won a contest called "Quit Your Day Job," which resulted in the winner receiving a record deal with the Palm Pictures label. 2001 saw the release of their self-titled major-label debut. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Circle
Seven Channels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
won't swallow the pill that life decides to give us no i see you
face in the middle of the storm can't rely on myself because myself's
all gone there goes the world again i just might lose my head
i'm in your circle now tie me to the helm 'cause this ship's set to
sink should i stay or should i swim i don't know what do you think
i see your face in the middle of the storm can't rely on myself
because myself's all gone
The lyrics to Seven Channels's song Circle convey a sense of vulnerability and dependence on another person. The first line, "this is the stuff that makes us and it's kind of contagious," suggests that the experiences that they are going through are shaping their identity and contagious in the sense that they may affect others around them. The second line, "won't swallow the pill that life decides to give us no I see you," suggests a refusal to accept the hardships that life throws their way, and a desire to rely on someone else for support.
The chorus, "there goes the world again I just might lose my head I'm in your circle now tie me to the helm 'cause this ship's set to sink should I stay or should I swim I don't know, what do you think," expresses a feeling of being lost and unsure of what to do. The world around them is chaotic and unpredictable, and the singer feels like they are on a sinking ship with no control over their fate. They want to be tied to the helm, or the steering wheel, suggesting a desire to take control, but they don't know whether to stay or swim, indicating confusion and indecision.
The last line, "I see your face in the middle of the storm can't rely on myself because myself's all gone," reinforces the idea that the singer is dependent on another person for support. They see their partner's face in the midst of the chaos, and they can't rely on themselves anymore because they feel like they have nothing left.
Overall, the lyrics to Circle convey a sense of emotional vulnerability and a need for support and guidance from someone else in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
this is the stuff that makes us and it's kind of contagious
The experiences we go through shape us as individuals and can influence those around us.
won't swallow the pill that life decides to give us no i see you
I won't blindly accept whatever challenges life throws my way. Instead, I see the people around me and draw strength from their support.
face in the middle of the storm can't rely on myself because myself's all gone
During difficult times, I turn to others for help because I don't have the strength to face the storm alone.
there goes the world again i just might lose my head
When adversity strikes repeatedly, it can be overwhelming and cause me to feel like I'm losing my grip on life.
i'm in your circle now tie me to the helm 'cause this ship's set to sink
I'm entrusting myself to the guidance of those around me since I'm not sure how to navigate through a crisis alone.
should i stay or should i swim i don't know what do you think
When facing a difficult decision, I turn to others for their input and guidance because I'm unsure what to do.
i see your face in the middle of the storm can't rely on myself because myself's all gone
Once again, during times of adversity, I seek comfort and strength from the individuals in my support system because I can't depend on my own abilities.
Contributed by Colton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.