Post Malone "Circles": What the Lyrics Really Mean
Released in 2019, "Circles" became one of the standout tracks from Post Malone's Hollywood's Bleeding. Its lyrics are strikingly direct about two people who keep returning to the same problems, even when the relationship has already fallen apart. The song itself has an equally interesting history, beginning with a Toronto session that shaped its distinctive sound.
What does "Circles" mean?
At the center of "Circles" is a relationship that cannot seem to move forward. The lyrics describe two people who repeatedly reach the same point, with neither one managing to break the pattern for good. The opening establishes that situation immediately.
"We couldn't turn around 'til we were upside down"
describes a relationship that has deteriorated so far that changing direction only becomes possible after everything has already gone wrong. Post Malone also acknowledges his own part in the situation. He says he tried to be there but could not always do so, while the other person refuses to believe him.
The lyrics do not present one side as entirely responsible; instead, they remain focused on a pattern that both people appear unable to escape. That idea becomes most explicit in the chorus:
"Run away, but we're running in circles"
The phrase describes the contradiction at the heart of the song. They try to leave, yet their actions bring them back to the same place.
Where did Post Malone get the idea for the sound?
The story behind the recording starts in Toronto. Post Malone worked with producer Frank Dukes during a studio session in August 2018, where the two worked with instruments rather than building the song around a conventional rap production.
Post Malone later discussed the session and connected the sound of "Circles" to Fleetwood Mac. That influence can be heard in the track's guitar-led arrangement, which gives the song a noticeably different character from a typical hip-hop production.
The song was not finished in that first session, however. Louis Bell, Billy Walsh and Kaan Güneşberk were also involved in the songwriting, while the final recording and production developed through additional work before its release.
Who wrote and produced "Circles"?
The official credits for "Hollywood's Bleeding" list Austin Post, Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Billy Walsh and Kaan Güneşberk as the songwriters. Post Malone, Louis Bell and Frank Dukes are credited as producers. Güneşberk is also credited with guitar, an important detail given how prominently the instrument features in the finished recording.
Louis Bell handled the recording and vocal production at Electric Feel Studios in West Hollywood, while Manny Marroquin mixed the track and Mike Bozzi mastered it.
The finished version therefore came together through a larger creative team than the original Toronto session alone might suggest. The official credits provide the clearest record of who received songwriting and production credit on the released song.
When was "Circles" released?
Republic Records released "Circles" on August 30, 2019, one week before "Hollywood's Bleeding". It was the album's third single and appears as its sixth track.
The song had already been previewed by Post Malone shortly before its release. During an August 2019 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon", he played a portion of the track while discussing his upcoming album.
"Circles" was subsequently accompanied by a music video directed by Colin Tilley. Released on September 3, 2019, it places Post Malone in a medieval setting rather than recreating the relationship described in the lyrics.
"Circles" - The official music video
Why was "Circles" involved in a songwriting lawsuit?
The song's creation later became the subject of a copyright dispute. Toronto musician Tyler Armes, who had participated in the 2018 session, claimed that he had contributed musical material to the song and therefore deserved songwriting credit and royalties.
Post Malone disputed the claim. Armes' lawsuit eventually moved toward trial, but the case was settled in March 2023 before a jury could hear the evidence. The terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed.
That distinction matters when discussing the song's authorship: Armes' claim was never established through a trial verdict, and he is not included among the official songwriters credited on "Hollywood's Bleeding".
FAQ
What is "Circles" by Post Malone about?
"Circles" describes two people caught in a relationship that repeatedly returns to the same problems. The lyrics focus on their inability to break that cycle.
What does "running in circles" mean in the song?
The phrase describes trying to leave a failing relationship but repeatedly ending up in the same situation. It is the central lyrical image of the chorus.
When did Post Malone release "Circles"?
"Circles" was released on August 30, 2019, as the third single from "Hollywood's Bleeding". The album was released on September 6, 2019.
Further Reading