Circles – English Lyrics

• By: Mariah Carey
• Album: The Emancipation of Mimi

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the poignant narrative of love and loss in Mariah Carey's "Circles," a soulful R&B track from *The Emancipation of Mimi*. Discover the layers of emotion and the retro vibe that makes this song special, and learn how Carey uses vivid lyrics to depict the universal experience of heartbreak and resilience.

[English]

Ever since you left me

I've been trying to hide the pain

Painting on a smile with lipstick

Putting on a big charade

So difficult to keep pretending

It's getting harder every day

It's plain to see I'm cold and arctic

Since you turned and walked away

I just keep going 'round and 'round

And 'round in circles

Keep on tumbling down

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)

Saturday, I saw you

Holding hands with someone new

Somehow I kept my composure

Just like everything was cool

But inside, I kept repeating

Don't you let them see you cry

So I casually turned my head

As the tears rolled down my eyes

I just keep going 'round and 'round

And 'round in circles

Keep on tumbling down

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

Everything is you

How can I pull through

My heart is consumed, I'm so confused

Still caught up in you, love can be so cruel

Baby, don't know how to turn you loose

Oh boy, my world has changed

And I don't think I can make it without you

No, nothing's the same

You got me running around and running around

And running around

Nothing's the same

Baby, baby, 'cause you got me running around in circles over you

(Running around in circles over you)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a facial expression indicating happiness verb - to form a smile
pretending /prɪˈtendɪŋ/ B1	verb - behaving as if something is true when it is not
cold /koʊld/ A2	adjective - having a low temperature adjective - lacking warmth or affection
circles /ˈsɜːrkl̩z/ A2	noun - a round shape
changed /tʃeɪndʒd/ A2	verb - become different
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1	verb - moving quickly on foot
holding /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/ A1	verb - grasping or supporting
composure /kəmˈpoʊʒər/ B2	noun - the state of being calm and self-controlled
tears /tɪrz/ A1	noun - drops of liquid from the eyes
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth and all life on it
consumed /kənˈsuːmd/ B2	verb - destroyed or overcome by something
confused /kənˈfjuːzd/ B1	adjective - unable to think clearly
cruel /kruːəl/ B2	adjective - willfully causing pain or suffering
loose /luːs/ A2	adjective - not firmly or tightly fixed in place
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood

Key Grammar Structures

• Ever since you left me

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'since'

  ➔ The phrase 'Ever since you left me' uses the present perfect with 'since' to indicate an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

• Painting on a smile with lipstick

  ➔ Present Continuous for an action in progress

  ➔ 'Painting on a smile with lipstick' uses the present continuous to describe an action happening at the moment of speaking.

• It's getting harder every day

  ➔ Present Continuous for a changing situation

  ➔ 'It's getting harder every day' uses the present continuous to show a situation that is gradually changing.

• Since you turned and walked away

  ➔ Past Simple with 'since'

  ➔ 'Since you turned and walked away' uses the past simple with 'since' to indicate a past action that has a result in the present.

• I don't think I can make it without you

  ➔ Present Simple with 'think' for an opinion

  ➔ 'I don't think I can make it without you' uses the present simple with 'think' to express a personal opinion or belief.

• You got me running around in circles over you

  ➔ Past Simple with 'got' for a result

  ➔ 'You got me running around in circles over you' uses the past simple with 'got' to indicate a past action that resulted in the present situation.

• My heart is consumed, I'm so confused

  ➔ Present Simple for a current state

  ➔ 'My heart is consumed, I'm so confused' uses the present simple to describe a current emotional state.

• Baby, don't know how to turn you loose

  ➔ Present Simple with 'know' for a lack of knowledge

  ➔ 'Baby, don't know how to turn you loose' uses the present simple with 'know' to express a lack of knowledge or ability.