Sitting around, no work today.
Try pacing to keep awake.
Laying around, no school today.
Just drink until the clock has circled all the way.

It's late afternoon, as you walk through the rooms
Of a house that is quiet
Except for unanswered telephones.
You stand near the sink,
You mix up a drink.
You think you don't want to pass out
Where your roommates could find you again.
Stumble 'round the neighboorhod, nothing to do.
You're always looking for something
To sniff smoke or swallow.
Calling over next door, see what they've got.
But you would settle for anything
That would make your brain slow down or
Stop this circle of thoughts you chase
Before they catch back up with you.
And your parents notice your thinning face,
All the weight you've lost,
All the weight you're losing.
You said "I'm done feeling like a skeleton,
No more sleep walking dead."
You're going to wake from this coma.
You're going to crawl from this bed you've made.
Stop counting on the camera
That hangs around your neck,
Cause it will never remember what you choose to forget.

And you try to find one source of light,
Try to name one thing you like.
You used to have such a longer list,
And light, you never had to look for it.

But now it's so easy, it's so easy to
It's so easy, it's so easy to
Second guess everything you do
Until all you want, all you want is to
Finish this half empty glass
Before the ice all melts away.
This feeling always used to pass,
Seems like it's every day
Seems like it's every night now.


Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by AtlDynasty25

A Line Allows Progress, A Circle Does Not Lyrics as written by Oberst

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

A Line Allows Progress, a Circle Does Not song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

106 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    @ _neelyohara

    yeah i also think that part is uplifting.

    this song is so depressing. and definatly relateable.

    "But you would settle for anything That would make your brain slow down or stop" pure genius.

    zombiesareradon February 18, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.