Circle The Drain

Album: single release only (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The inspiration for this song came from an Afghanistan veteran Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn knew. On returning home, the serviceman's relationship with his girlfriend fell apart. Having not being faithful to him, she then got paranoid about her soldier boyfriend messing around on her, and the situation eventually drove him nuts. When the veteran shared his experience with Flynn, he commented that they "were just circling the drain." The phrase stuck with the singer, and a few days later he incorporated it into the song he'd been working on.
  • Flynn was experiencing his own upheaval, having had two band members quit and two longtime friends divorce. "Circle the Drain" came out of that frustrating time. He explained:

    "It's a sad song about relationships gone bad, but accepting that it's over, and making yourself move on. It's written in a more metaphorical tone, as I didn't want it to be about my life, but to be about anybody's life who may be going through a rough time. It may not be a song that connects with everyone, especially those in a solid relationship, but if the day ever comes when your life goes awry, this song will be a lifeline for you, something to help pull you up out of that dark place."
  • Flynn's original conversation with the serviceman took place on Valentine's Day. When "Circle the Drain" got released exactly a year later on February 14, 2020, the irony wasn't lost on the singer. He described it in the press release as "the anti-Valentine's Day song."
  • Robb Flynn produced the track with Zach Ohren (All Shall Perish, Suicide Silence); they recorded it at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. The song features guest drumming by Entheos stickman Navene Koperweis.
  • The phrase "circle the drain" refers to a downfall that leads to rapid failure or destruction. Katy Perry previously released a song with the same title. Released as a promotional single, her breakup anthem peaked at #58 on the Hot 100 in 2010.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.