Circles
Tempest Kate Lyrics
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I just go round and round
I’m paranoid, I’m selfish
Push me, I clam up, I’m shellfish
We had a dream, I shelved it
That eats me up, that’s Elvis
Las Vegas era
I’m half bag lady, half Bagheera
I got my hand on my heart
But my heart’s in the gutter
Talking to itself, starting to flutter
When it thinks about yours
Barking at mutts like a nutter
Trying to start wars on the bus
Dumb chunk of muscle with its claws out
Throwing its oars out the dinghy in the middle of a gale
Making whirlpools the way I chase my tail
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I’m in a corner saying nothing
Sitting in a pub with my eyes closed
Swaying to a power ballad
Shredding tears at the high notes
My hands are frozen, I forgot my gloves
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Love just rots your guts
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
My heart is open, all I want is love
Love will prop you up
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are frozen, I ain’t got no gloves
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Love will rot your guts
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
My heart is open, all I want is love
Love will prop you up
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round, elliptical
Watch me orbit this
I keep repeating myself
There must be more than this
I don’t know why I can’t change
There ain’t no groundhogs here
There’s just me in my garden
Howling at the moon when it’s round and clear
Kick a fag box and you might find it’s got some in it
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
Get away with a child travelcard on the bus
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
See something great
Happen to a mate
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
Get a kiss when you feel like shit
That’s so good, I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
More like a dog on a lead
In "Circles," Tempest Kate speaks about feeling stuck in a never-ending cycle of self-doubt and anxiety, always going round and round in circles. She admits to being paranoid and selfish, easily shutting down when pushed. She reflects on a lost dream and how it eats away at her. She compares herself to a mix of a bag lady and Bagheera from The Jungle Book. She seems to struggle with her own heart, caught between wanting love and thinking it will only rot her guts. Throughout the song, she expresses a desire for change and growth, lamenting her inability to break the cycle. The repetition of the phrase "I go round in circles" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and unable to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m in a mess, I can’t help it
I'm feeling overwhelmed and unable to control my situation
I just go round and round
Constantly stuck in a repetitive cycle
I’m paranoid, I’m selfish
Feeling suspicious and self-centered
Push me, I clam up, I’m shellfish
When pushed or pressured, I become silent and self-protective
We had a dream, I shelved it
Our shared aspirations were put on hold or disregarded by me
That eats me up, that’s Elvis Las Vegas era
This unresolved issue is weighing heavily on me, like the excesses of Elvis in his Vegas era
I’m half bag lady, half Bagheera
I feel like a strange combination of a disheveled homeless woman and a sleek, cunning jungle cat
I got my hand on my heart
I'm trying to show sincerity
But my heart’s in the gutter
However, my emotions are in a dark place
Talking to itself, starting to flutter
My mind is racing, causing my heart to beat faster
When it thinks about yours
When my thoughts turn to you
Barking at mutts like a nutter
Acting aggressively towards others, like a crazy person
Trying to start wars on the bus
Looking for conflict even in mundane situations
Dumb chunk of muscle with its claws out
Referring to my heart as an instinctual, reactive part of me
Throwing its oars out the dinghy in the middle of a gale
Reacting poorly to difficult circumstances and making the situation worse
Making whirlpools the way I chase my tail
Creating chaos for myself, like a dog chasing its tail
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
Pausing to reconsider my earlier negative stance
My heart is open, all I want is love
Feeling ready for and seeking out love
Love will prop you up
Love and support from others can help sustain you
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
If you're someone with deep emotions who feels things strongly
I’m in a corner saying nothing
Feeling isolated and emotionally trapped
Sitting in a pub with my eyes closed
Physically present but mentally checked out
Swaying to a power ballad
Being affected by strong, emotional music
Shredding tears at the high notes
Crying at the most intense parts of the song
My hands are frozen, I forgot my gloves
Feeling physically cold and unprepared
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Feeling hurt and uninterested in love
Love just rots your guts
Believing that love causes emotional harm
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
Once again reconsidering my negative outlook
My heart is open, all I want is love
Reaffirming my desire for love
I go round, elliptical
Moving in elliptical patterns like a planet
Watch me orbit this
Watching my repeating patterns play out
There must be more than this
Wanting greater purpose or meaning
I don’t know why I can’t change
Feeling stuck and unable to make progress
There ain’t no groundhogs here
There are no easy, predictable solutions available
There’s just me in my garden
Finding myself alone and isolated
Howling at the moon when it’s round and clear
Crying out in emotional pain at opportune moments
Kick a fag box and you might find it’s got some in it
Finding unexpected surprises in unlikely places
Just when I think something’s ending
Despite my feeling of closure
The beginning comes back
Finding new possibilities or fresh starts
See something great
Witnessing someone else's success or happiness
Happen to a mate
Experiencing greatness vicariously through someone else
Get a kiss when you feel like shit
Experiencing unexpected positivity when feeling down
That’s so good, I love that
Expressing delight and appreciation
More like a dog on a lead
Concluding with the image of a dog still stuck in its own repetitive cycle
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANIEL DE MUSSENDEN CAREY, KATE TEMPEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nicolas F. Costoglou
Kate Tempest - Circles Lyrics:
I’m in a mess, I can’t help it
I just go round and round
I’m paranoid, I’m selfish
Push me, I clam up, I’m shellfish
We had a dream, I shelved it
That eats me up, that’s Elvis
Las Vegas era
I’m half bag lady, half Bagheera
I got my hand on my heart
But my heart’s in the gutter
Talking to itself, starting to flutter
When it thinks about yours
Barking at mutts like a nutter
Trying to start wars on the bus
Dumb chunk of muscle with its claws out
Throwing its oars out the dinghy in the middle of a gale
Making whirlpools the way I chase my tail
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I’m in a corner saying nothing
Sitting in a pub with my eyes closed
Swaying to a power ballad
Shredding tears at the high notes
My hands are frozen, I forgot my gloves
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Love just rots your guts
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
My heart is open, all I want is love
Love will prop you up
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are frozen, I ain’t got no gloves
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Love will rot your guts
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
My heart is open, all I want is love
Love will prop you up
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
[Chorus]
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round, elliptical
Watch me orbit this
I keep repeating myself
There must be more than this
I don’t know why I can’t change
There ain’t no groundhogs here
There’s just me in my garden
Howling at the moon when it’s round and clear
Kick a fag box and you might find it’s got some in it
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
Get away with a child travelcard on the bus
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
See something great
Happen to a mate
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
Get a kiss when you feel like shit
That’s so good, I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
[Chorus]
More like a dog on a lead
Nick Cameron
What the world needs now is Kate Tempest. She is such stuff as dreams are made on ... what a relief in these days to know someone out there is still real and different and beautiful and smart and talented and sharing ... and so damn good at what she does. Maximum respect to Big Dada for knowing the truth when they hear it. One Love. X
Nicolas F. Costoglou
Kate Tempest - Circles Lyrics:
I’m in a mess, I can’t help it
I just go round and round
I’m paranoid, I’m selfish
Push me, I clam up, I’m shellfish
We had a dream, I shelved it
That eats me up, that’s Elvis
Las Vegas era
I’m half bag lady, half Bagheera
I got my hand on my heart
But my heart’s in the gutter
Talking to itself, starting to flutter
When it thinks about yours
Barking at mutts like a nutter
Trying to start wars on the bus
Dumb chunk of muscle with its claws out
Throwing its oars out the dinghy in the middle of a gale
Making whirlpools the way I chase my tail
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I’m in a corner saying nothing
Sitting in a pub with my eyes closed
Swaying to a power ballad
Shredding tears at the high notes
My hands are frozen, I forgot my gloves
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Love just rots your guts
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
My heart is open, all I want is love
Love will prop you up
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are frozen, I ain’t got no gloves
My heart is broken, I don’t want no love
Love will rot your guts
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
No wait, my hands are smoking on this hot tea cup
My heart is open, all I want is love
Love will prop you up
If you’re the type to feel what you touch
[Chorus]
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
I go round, elliptical
Watch me orbit this
I keep repeating myself
There must be more than this
I don’t know why I can’t change
There ain’t no groundhogs here
There’s just me in my garden
Howling at the moon when it’s round and clear
Kick a fag box and you might find it’s got some in it
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
Get away with a child travelcard on the bus
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
See something great
Happen to a mate
I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
Get a kiss when you feel like shit
That’s so good, I love that
Just when I think something’s ending
The beginning comes back
[Chorus]
More like a dog on a lead
Mike Sinclair
I was unsure of this song at first, but I love it now, especially after seeing the video. She is very good looking, you don't always need make up to make yourself look beautiful.
T-Top Deluxe
Definitely! She's pretty and I love her smile.
Chris
Always someone gotta talk about looks. how boring
D33pblu3
Wonder if they still feel the same now they're non binary/trans sexual,and identity more male than female. Still a banging voice!
Clint Sabom
What a pleasure to have her on this planet. Good, inventive stuff.
Amey Clan
I go round in circles
Not graceful, not like dancers
Not neatly, not like compass and pencil
More like a dog on a lead, going mental
Probably some of the best lyrics I have ever heard. It was being played on Radio 6 by Shaun Keavey today . I heard this and just thought, "that is fucking brilliant".
Finn:)
Kae is so good their so talented
Jodie Estes
Exceptional talent. I highly recommend!