"Circle the Drain" is a song written by Katy Perry, Tricky Stewart, and Monte Neuble. The song is from Perry's sophomore mainstream album, Teenage Dream, and is one of the "anvils" Perry said she needed to get off her chest when starting the record. Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" had a huge influence on Perry's inspiration. It's also a way of showing that Perry still has her rock-edge that was found on her album before. The song hints to former drug-addicted boyfriend, Travie McCoy. It is also the third promotional single released as a part of the "Countdown to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream" on August 10, 2010.
Background
Katy has described the song to be about a situation that is our of your hands, and trying to change someone. Perry went on to say that you can't change someone unless they want to be changed. Being a "free, independent woman" is important to Perry and you can't let yourself be anchored down in a relationship because someone is in a self-destructive path. She commented on the F-words saying "it is very appropriate to say the F word when needed."[1] In total, seventeen music engineers contributed to the track's composition. Critics suggest the song is about her former relationship with Gym Class Heroes' lead vocalist Travie McCoy. When finally asked about his opinion on the track, McCoy admitted to hearing about the song, but has never actually listened to the song. Nonetheless he told the interviewer: "I heard she put out a song that's about me, or about some old habits or whatever. [And] I look at it like this: I'm just stoked that she finally has a song with some substance on her record. Good job."
Inspiration for the song
Lyrics
This is the last time, you say
After the last line you break
It's not even a holiday
Nothing to celebrate
You give a hundred reasons why
And say you're really gonna try
If I had a nickel for every time
I'd own the bank
Thought that I was the exception
I could re-write your addiction
You could've been the greatest
But you'd rather get wasted
You fall asleep during foreplay
'Cause the pills you take are more your forté
I'm not sticking around to watch you go down
Wanna be your lover
Not your fucking mother
Can't be your savior
I don't have the power
I'm not gonna stay
And watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
You say it helps you write your rhymes
Whatever helps you sleep at night
You've become what you despise
A stereotype
You think you're so rock and roll
But you're really just a joke
Had the world in the palm of your hand
But you fucking choked
Should've been my teammate
Could've changed your fate
You say that you love me
You won't remember in the morning
You fall asleep during foreplay
'Cause the pills you take are more your forté
I'm not sticking around to watch you go down
Wanna be your lover
Not your fucking mother
Can't be your savior
I don't have the power
I'm not gonna stay
And watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
You fall asleep during foreplay
'Cause the pills you take are more your forté
I'm not sticking around to watch you go down
Wanna be your lover
Not your fucking mother
Can't be your savior
I don't have the power
I'm not gonna stay
And watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
Watch you circle the drain
You're going down
You're going down
You're going down
You're going down
You fall asleep during foreplay
'Cause the pills you take are more your forté
I'm not sticking around to watch you go down
References
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