11 Circular Songs Sure to Keep You Goin‘ ‘Round in Circles | Playlist 🎧

11 Circular Songs Sure to Keep You Goin ‘Round in Circles features songs by Bon Iver, Jazmine Sullivan, Lady Gaga, Post Malone & Ryan Beatty.

Ah circles – what amazing shapes! Circles have been central to many songs over the years.  Taking it way back, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” is a famous Christian hymn composed by Ada R. Habershon (lyrics) and Charles H. Gabriel (music) in 1907.  The most famous lyrics from the hymn hail from the chorus: “Will the circle be unbroken / By and by, by and by? / Is a better home awaiting / In the sky, in the sky.”

Later, the late, great Billy Preston once sung, “Will It Go Round in Circles” – a soul gem to say the least!

More recently – 2016 to be precise – Asking Alexandria unleashed the profane “Circled by the Wolves”:

“Circled by the wolves, they want me dead
Look me in the eye, I’m no longer afraid
I’ve come so far; I won’t turn away
Let go of the past and life for today.” 

All three of the aforementioned songs are worth checking out.  Add the Mac Miller two-parter “Perfect Circle / God Speed” (GO:OD AM, 2016) to the mix as well.  BUT, none of the songs get more than the shout out they receive on the intro to the circle-themed playlist, 11 CIRCULAR SONGS SURE TO KEEP YOU GOIN ‘ROUND IN CIRCLES.  No fears though, there are plenty of awesome musical selections on this playlist, courtesy of Bon Iver (“8 (circle)”), Jazmine Sullivan (“Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles)”), Lady Gaga (“Dancin’ in Circles”),  Post Malone (“Circles”), and Ryan Beatty (“Dark Circles”) among others. Without further do, let’s dig into 11 CIRCULAR SONGS SURE TO KEEP YOU GOIN ‘ROUND IN CIRCLES.

1. Post Malone, “Circles”

Hollywood’s Bleeding • Republic • 2019

“Seasons change and our love went cold / Feed the flame ‘cause we can’t let go / Run away, but we’re running in circles / Run away, run. Away.” “Circles” sounded starkly different from the previous advance singles released in advance of Hollywood’s Bleeding, the third studio album by Post Malone.  Here, Post Malone opts for a more pop-centric direction, one that makes the record sound mostly, if not completely, removed from hip-hop.

There is no rapping from PM whatsoever, only singing, intact with that ever-unique vibrato.  As a pop song, “Circles” is pleasant, quite sunny in sound, and respectable. It’s not surprising that it’s experienced the pop success that it has, reaching no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The theme is about the ever familiar, relatable topic of love, specifically, fading love. Ah, those “seasons [do indeed] change.”

2. P!nk, “Circle Game”

Hurts 2B Human • RCA • 2019

As she does so often, Grammy-winning pop artist P!nk is in full-on reflective mode on “Circle Game.” “Circle Game” appears on her under-appreciated, 2019 album, Hurts 2B Human. The wheel isn’t reinvented on her eighth studio album, but this is an enjoyable, incredibly consistent pop album.

“I’ve got a little girl of my own and she looks at me,” P!nk sings on the first verse of “Circle Game,” continuing, “Like I’m a badass and you know that I wanna be / And now there’s monsters in her closet and they wanna come and play.” The premise of the record seems to be about life coming full circle, appreciating and embracing the role you get to play.  Perhaps this circular song runs a bit long – the longest song from Hurts 2B Human to be exact – but like much of the album, it’s worthwhile.

3. Ryan Beatty, “Dark Circles”

Dark Circles [Single] • Mad Love / Interscope • 2019

“He gave me pleasure underneath the water / And it felt so good  /Now we’re power sliding till the flood spurts stop us…” Sigh, the Ryan Beatty album,Boy in Jeans, ranked among my favorite of 2018.  Unfortunately, not enough people experienced the sheer excellence of this pop/alt-R&B effort courtesy of the openly gay artist.  In 2019, Beatty released new music unassociated with Boy in Jeans, including the song at hand, “Dark Circles,” which arrived in September.  There is plenty to about this circle-tinged record.

First and foremost, “Dark Circles” can be described as hypnotic and unique, exemplifying and embodying the alt R&B sound.  Interestingly, expressive, pitch shifted vocals are used throughout as opposed to standard, expected vocals – nothing ‘vanilla’ here in the least. Contributing to the sound is colorful production work courtesy of Austin Anderson and Daniel Fox Anderson and Fox also co-write alongside Beatty.  The colorful production work consists of unique synths, rhythmic drum programming, and thoughtful harmonic elements.  “Dark Circles” concludes in satisfying fashion thanks to the excellent fade out.

Although “Dark Circles” is nearly five minutes in duration, it’s quite compelling.  Adding to the allure? The songwriting of course.  “I swear, if I could give you up, I would erase you,” Beatty sings on the second verse, continuing, “Get you out of my mind (He is all I think about).” Ah, there’s that openness from Boy in Jeans once more – I heart it! There’s more of course, such as “I don’t have the bones to be free / I believe in love when he confesses himself inside me,” as well as the fact that Beatty “Never wanna be someone else’s lover.”

4. Anderson .Paak, “Winners Circle”

Ventura • Aftermath / 12 Tone Music • 2019

“Winners Circle” continues the consistency of Ventura, the fourth album by Grammy winning urban artist, Anderson .Paak.  If you’ve kept track of Paak, you’re well aware that Ventura arrived less than five months after his third LP, Oxnard (2018).  Where Oxnard was more hip-hop oriented, Ventura is generally more R&B-driven.

“Winners Circle” commences with a spoken-word intro (Sonny LoSpecchio and Calogera Anello):

“You’re only allowed three great women in your lifetime
They come along like great fighters, once every ten years…
Sometimes you get ‘em all at once
Me? I had my three when I was sixteen.”

Interesting for sure. After the tone-setting intro, Paak blesses us all with his swagger-laden, masterful pipes.  “This is not some super conventional / Extra slick talk meant to convince you all,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “Master classes reduced to simple form / There’s nothing formulaic about it.”  Sex seems to be the modus operandi, and it’s further confirmed on the second verse (“Get to know me, kiss me slowly, hard to focus / They just don’t make ‘em like this no more, whoa”).  Clearly, the ‘winners circle’ involves scoring big…  Notably, Paak ‘busts a rhyme’ on the third verse, which is a great contrast following two sung verses.

“When I get the gushy, I go dumb like the President
Yes, lawd, I’m way up, word to Sacagawea
If the gushy was a sneaker, it’d be moccasin trainer
If the gushy wasn’t so sweet, I could save it for later…”

Wow, just wow.

5. Elton John, “Circle of Life”

Diamonds • Universal Music Operations Limited • 2017

“It’s the circle of life / And it moves us all / Through despair and hope / Through faith and love…” “Circle of Life” ranks among the most famous and beloved Walt Disney movie songs of all time.  This song featured at the beginning of The Lion King (1994 and 2019) is incredible to the nth degree.  The music was written by the iconic Elton John, while the lyrics were penned by Tim Rice.  In addition to the soundtrack version of “Circle of Life,” John also recorded a memorable version of the record, also appearing on the soundtrack, as well as various compilations, including Diamonds from 2017.

Elton John does a fantastic job singing expressively throughout, but especially on the aforementioned chorus, which continues as follows:

“… ‘Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life.”

That said, the songwriting, overall, definitely deserves big ups.  Tim Rice shines penning this timeless story, developed on the verses, and capped off on the chorus.

6. Lady Gaga, “Dancin’ in Circles”

Joanne • Interscope • 2016

“I lay around, touch myself to pass the time / I feel down, I wish you were mine…” Okay… Lady Gaga has had quite an illustrious career.  Focusing merely on the musical aspects of her career, her most important albums arrive early in her career.  That includes The Fame (2008), The Fame Monster (2009), and Born This Way (2011).  Post-Born This Way, Lady Gaga’s discography as a solo artist is, well, slightly less notable – no disrespect.  ARTPOP (2013) had some moments, while Joanne (2016) finds Gaga opting for a less dance-oriented, more singer/songwriter-driven approach.  The song at hand, “Dancin’ in Circles,” appears as the fifth track off from Joanne.

“In the fire I call your name out / Up all night tryin’ to rub the pain out…” Hmm, not being perverted, but these lyrics from the pre-chorus seem to match the ‘happenings’ of the first verse lyrics above.  Anyways, “Dancin’ in Circles” is a quirky record – not far-fetched from an artist known for her idiosyncrasies. Once the form of the song reveals itself (the intro eventually reappears as the post-chorus for example), it grooves.  The beat is infectious, while the production borrows elements of Latin and world music.  Important to emphasize, only Lady Gaga pulls off a song this weird.

7. Bon Iver, “8 (circle)”

22, A Million • Jagjaguwar • 2016

Bon Iver returned triumphantly in 2016 with 22, A Million, an eclectic album that sounded like nothing else released that year.  Incorporating electronic cues and acoustic cues alike, 22, A Million is an intriguing listen.  While lyrically it is a challenging effort, drenched in spirituality, numerology, and the most accessible, romance, 22, A Million certainly makes its listeners think.

“Philosophize your figure
What I have and haven’t held
You called and I came, stayed tall through it all
Fall and fixture just the same thing…”

“8 (circle)” is one of the most epic and warmest moments of 22, A Million.  The lengthiest song of the album, clocking in over five minutes, it’s well worth the duration.  Vocally, “8 (circle)” is arguably frontman Justin Vernon’s tour de force.  Lyrically, it continues references to numerology, spirituality, and obscure, incredibly specific references, as well as incorporating elements of love and sex.  Musically, the saxophones – Colin Stetson, Michael Lewis, and Sad Sax of Shit – in particular provide a lift.

8. Rick Ross, “Power Circle”

MMG Presents: Self Made 2 (The Untouchable Empire) • Warner Bros. • 2012

“Power Circle” is a juggernaut – there’s no other way around it. The production is gospel-tinged hip-hop, featuring piano, organ, and great drum programming anchoring the production down. The best song from the 2012 compilation MMG Presents: Self Made 2 (The Untouchable Empire) features ‘everybody and his brother.’ There’s definitely power in the circle, with Rick Ross asserting on the intro in spoken word, “If Michael Jackson came alive right now, he’d ask you to smoke one for him, so in his honor,” before breaking out into a brief rap verse.

Gunplay appears on the second verse, bringing some hard-nosed, unapologetic bars.

“It’s all on me now, as you can see now
I’m gon’ get this money and I will not be denied
Been shittin’ on you fucks a long time, time to pee now...
This the circle that’ll murk you, blackout, short circuit…”

Stalley adds to the power on the third verse:

“It’s funny how they come for me when they see me living comfortably
But when I was broke and sleeping on floors they ain’t want nothing from me.”

Wale asserts, “Cash rule the world – at least it do with girls /At least it do with churches, seek the truth and true it hurts” on the fourth verse, while Meek Mill spits, “I’m like welcome to the power circle/ I came a long way, I started with a powdered circle / Clique full of real niggas that’ll probably murk you.” Kendrick Lamar slaughters on the sixth and final verse:

“Look inside the eyes of the last Mohicans survived
You won’t last a weekend outside…
I know that section eight wanna discontinue my Moms
When they heard that Ohio state gave me 30 racks in July.”

Sigh, definitely powerful stuff. “Power Circle” previously appeared on the playlist, 10 Songs Overflowing with Power.

9. Jazmine Sullivan, “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles)”

Love Me Back • J • 2010

“I keep going in circles, circles / ‘Round and ‘round / And while you’re doing me, so wrong / I just keep holding you down.” Sigh, after wowing with her 2008 debut album, Fearless, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan returned in 2010 with an excellent follow up, Love Me Back.  Love Me Back was filled with hits, including “10 Seconds”, “Excuse Me”, “Stuttering”, and the song at hand, “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles).” That said, the best attribute of Sullivan throughout the course of Love Me Back is her deep, dramatic, and rich voice.  She shows off those marvelous, soulful pipes on “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles).”

The aforementioned excerpt from the chorus sums up the premise of “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles).” Love has got Jazmine Sullivan down.  She later continues o the chorus, “I feel so stupid, foolish / Loving you all this way / But what I can I say / But I wanna go / I wanna go but I keep coming back.” What else can you say but the circle action is real to the nth degree.  Despite going through “about two bags of tissues” and “feeling so used by you just like a toy,” she continues coming back. My, my, my!

10. Marques Houston, “Circle”

Veteran • Universal • 2007

Back in the 00s, R&B artist Marques Houston experienced moderate success.  Houston never attained the popularity of his contemporaries, but that didn’t stifle his ability to deliver some hits.  Among those hits is a gorgeous ballad, “Circle,” which appears on his 2007 album, Veteran.  “Circle” features that signature, piano-driven, adult contemporary R&B sound that dominated the 00s.  Bryan-Michael Cox, Kendrick Dean, and Adonis Shropshire serve as co-producers.  Houston co-writes with the aforementioned producers as well as Tanya E. White.

What makes “Circle” a song that is still relevant more than a decade later? It’s smooth as butter and in terms of songwriting, it tackles familiar territory – matters of the heart.  Essentially, Marques Houston simply can’t get over his ex.  “If I’m supposed to be moved on, in a new relationship strong,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “Then why are you still hauntin’ me?” Houston remains bothered on the second verse, as he takes a trip to his ex’s house and even converses with her mama (“When she looked at me, she smiled / And asked me if I’m doin’ okay / Took everything I had not to bring up your name…”). Of course, the centerpiece of the song is the chorus, where the circle comes into play:

“If you love something let it go
And if it comes back then that’s how you know
I got to the stoplight then I made four rights
Now I’m back where I started and you’re back in my life
The further I go the closer I get back to you
I say I moved on ‘til I’m reminded of you
Can somebody help me
Help me get out of this circle
Out of this circle.”

11. Mariah Carey, “Circles”

The Emancipation of Mimi • The Island Def Jam Music Group / Mariah Carey • 2005

“I just keep going ‘round and ‘round / And ‘round in cirlces / Keep on tumbling down.” 2005 was a huge year for Mariah Carey.  After a rough couple of years in terms of commercial viability, she returned in a big way with The Emancipation of Mimi.  The Emancipation of Mimi was jam-packed with hits, including the crème de la crème, the unstoppable R&B ballad, “We Belong Together.”  That said, there were also non-singles with ample replay value, including the circular song at hand, “Circles.”

“Circles” may not be as memorable as “We Belong Together,” “Shake it Off” or “Mine Again”, but it’s quite enjoyable and relatable.  Produced by Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright, “Circles” possessed the characteristic contemporary R&B sound of the times, while also bring a dash of classicism.  Vocally, Mariah Carey sounds terrific, never missing a note and sounding particularly impressive as she nails those signature whistle tones.  The subject matter isn’t far removed from Marques Houston, who precedes her with his own circular gem (“Circles”) – matters of the heart.

“Ever since you left me / I’ve been trying to hide the pain,” Carey sings on the first verse. On the chorus, she just lays out her feelings of brokenness:

“Oh boy, my world has changed
And I don’t think I can make it without you
Nothing’s the same
You got me running around in circles over you
(Running around in circles over you).”

11 CIRCULAR SONGS SURE TO KEEP YOU GOIN ‘ROUND IN CIRCLES [Photo Credits: 12 Tone Music, Aftermath, Brent Faulkner, Interscope, The Island Def Jam Music Group, J, Jagjaguwar, Mad Love, Mariah Carey, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Universal Music Operations Limited, Warner Bros.]