This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Never did I lie, never did I mean to trick y'all
But they told me this is how to get rich, y'all
Makin' hit songs, same lame lyrics, same bass, same kickdrum
Buy the record, you became a vic-vic-victim
Bitch can't front, get what I want
Neck, hands & my wrists numb, sickenin?
Diamonds on my wristband, who I'm talkin' to?
You, you & my biggest fan, thinkin' that ya girl got it all
And I got the best man, best hair, best legs, need a break, you in my face
Askin' K what I'm puttin' out next year
Is it gonna be real freaky, critics wanna come critique me
Are you gonna be more grunge rock-n-roll like back when you dropped before?
But get back 'fore I get ill
Black glove, black mask, listen to some real black love
It's all I have, it's all I have
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Musicians, magicians, tight rope, strobe lights
Lion tamers, entertainers, sold out nights
Dressin' rooms, costumes, who's doin' who, gossip, rumors
Groupies just too much, everybody's like, "let's do lunch"
That's why it doesn't matter, that's why I'm not a rapper
Still spit a few bars, might never hear this song
Label might say, "Hell naw! Get a new female star
She don't have to sing - she don't have to bring anything!"
Get her some new earrings, fly her off to Beijing
Book her shows in Wyoming, David Letterman & Conan
Your advance just alone and doesn't it all sound grand?
Number one on SoundScan, just keep the clubs bouncin', join us
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
How can I shake this circus clown?
What does the ringmaster need from his crowd?
Should I dive through the circle of fire?
No - I'm just gonna be me!
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Never did I lie, never did I mean to trick y'all
But they told me this is how to get rich, y'all
Makin' hit songs, same lame lyrics, same bass, same kickdrum
Buy the record, you became a vic-vic-victim
Bitch can't front, get what I want
Neck, hands & my wrists numb, sickenin?
Diamonds on my wristband, who I'm talkin' to?
You, you & my biggest fan, thinkin' that ya girl got it all
And I got the best man, best hair, best legs, need a break, you in my face
Askin' K what I'm puttin' out next year
Is it gonna be real freaky, critics wanna come critique me
Are you gonna be more grunge rock-n-roll like back when you dropped before?
But get back 'fore I get ill
Black glove, black mask, listen to some real black love
It's all I have, it's all I have
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Musicians, magicians, tight rope, strobe lights
Lion tamers, entertainers, sold out nights
Dressin' rooms, costumes, who's doin' who, gossip, rumors
Groupies just too much, everybody's like, "let's do lunch"
That's why it doesn't matter, that's why I'm not a rapper
Still spit a few bars, might never hear this song
Label might say, "Hell naw! Get a new female star
She don't have to sing - she don't have to bring anything!"
Get her some new earrings, fly her off to Beijing
Book her shows in Wyoming, David Letterman & Conan
Your advance just alone and doesn't it all sound grand?
Number one on SoundScan, just keep the clubs bouncin', join us
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
How can I shake this circus clown?
What does the ringmaster need from his crowd?
Should I dive through the circle of fire?
No - I'm just gonna be me!
Come join our circus where we all wear masks
Lie to our fans and expect it to last
Could it be that the trick is on us?
Masqueradin' like we are the ones
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Can you blame us? It started as fun
Didn't know that the game must be won - sorry
Lyrics submitted by strangenoise
Circus Lyrics as written by Mick Jones Eric Patrick Clapton
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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