The meaning of Circles by Incubus

With his distinctive voice and a style ranging from hip-hop to pop and rock, Post Malone is revered for his authentic lyrics that transcend genre boundaries. One such song that has captured attention and charmed fans worldwide is "Circles." A deeper look into the song unveils a significant reflection of the emotional trajectory of a complex love relationship.

The 2019 hit "Circles" conveys a narrative of an unresolved relationship and the inevitable failure of trying to change its course. The song is a departure from Post Malone's typical hip-hop style, as he leans towards a more melancholic pop-rock sound. Wisely crafted by Post Malone, Louis Bell, and Frank Dukes, the dreamy yet sorrowful sound of the track perfectly mirrors the emotional fluctuations of the theme it portrays.

From the first verse, "Circles" dives into the uncertainty and turmoil of a cyclical relationship. With lyrics such as "We couldn't turn around until we were upside down.", Post Malone signifies the emotional strain and upside-down nature of a relationship constantly spinning in a circle. This metaphor of a circular, never-ending pattern effectively elucidates the repetitive heartache experienced.

A pivotal part of the song is the chorus where he reiterates "Seasons change and our love went cold". This part further accentuates the hard realization that just as seasons are inconstant, so is love in this relationship gone cold. Malone’s atmospheric vocals and sweeping guitar riffs effectively underscore this heartrending sentiment.

"Run away, but we're running in circles" - the repeated line in the chorus, serves as an apt summation of the song's meaning. It drives home the point that despite the effort to escape or resolve the situation, the couple is stuck in the same painful cycle, echoing the frustrating reality many individuals experience in a tumultuous relationship.

Interestingly, the music video of "Circles" adds a layer of medieval symbolism to the song's inherent theme. Directed by Colin Tilley, the video dramatizes Post Malone as a knight seeking to rescue his love interest under siege. This visually symbolic interpretation further reiterates the tale of an endless chase in which this song is steeped.

In conclusion, "Circles" by Post Malone is an emotional journey exploring the cyclical nature of a troubled love relationship. It's a relationship that unfortunate as it may be, is stuck in an unchanging orbit, continuously revolving without earnest progress or resolution. Serving both as a listening pleasure and an emotional catharsis, "Circles" strikingly encapsulates the struggle of letting go and the paradoxical attempt to alter an unchangeable situation.