11 Things You Didn’t Know About Maren Morris’ ‘Circles Around This Town’
Maren Morris officially kicked off her next musical era with the release of her new single, “Circles Around This Town.”…
Maren Morris; Photo via YouTube
Maren Morris officially kicked off her next musical era with the release of her new single, “Circles Around This Town.” The reflective tune was co-written by Morris alongside her husband, Ryan Hurd, as well as Julia Michaels and Jimmy Robbins, and finds the superstar looking back on her career and her journey to find her place as an artist in Nashville.
Coinciding with the release of the track, Morris shared a 90s-themed music video that brings the lyrics to life through retro aesthetics and a replica of her teenage bedroom.
“Circles Around This Town” is the lead single from the Texas native’s forthcoming third studio album.
Here are 11 fun facts about the song and music video.
It’s Her Most Autobiographical Song To Date
“‘Circles Around This Town’ is special because it’s probably the most specifically autobiographical song I’ve ever written,” Morris told New Music Daily on Apple Music 1. ”All the songs that I write are about my story, but this one was very specific to my journey from Texas to Nashville nine years ago to become a songwriter, which then led in to me becoming an artist that I am today, but I wasn’t sure the day that we wrote it if I was willing to get that specific in a song because at the end of the day, you want it to be your story, but you want it to apply to everyone in some way where they can hear themselves in it, but I just decided to go for it, and I felt like that was the smartest thing and the most emotional thing was just even though this song is super upbeat and jangly, it’s really about keeping the gas pedal down on your dreams.”
The Song Was Released Days After The Nine-Year Anniversary Of Her Move To Nashville
The release date comes just days after the nine-year anniversary of her move to Nashville, which is perfectly fitting as Morris says the track is specific to her move from Texas to Tennessee.
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The Car Mentioned In The First Verse Inspired Her Debut Single
In the opening lines of the track, Morris mentioned a “Montero,” which is referencing her red Mitsubishi Montero sport. During an interview with Taste Of Country in 2016, Morris revealed that long rides in her Montero were the inspiration behind her first chart-topping single, “My Church.”
Morris Nods To Her Breakout Hits Within The Lyrics
Within the track’s lyrics, Morris sings about a “couple hundred songs and the ones that finally worked,” which are “the one about a car and the one about a church.” This is a nod to her hits “‘80s Mercedes” and “My Church,” symbolizing how it all came full circle for her.
Reba McEntire’s Voice Appears In Music Video
As Morris is seen pouring a bowl of cereal in the clip’s opening, Reba McEntire’s voice narrates an infomercial for the Humble Quest Hotline (HQHQ) on a TV in an adjacent room.
“Have you had a crisis? Are you going in circles? Have you cussed on a Sunday? Hey! Little brunette pacing around that kitchen. Yeah, I’m talking to you,” McEntire can be heard saying. ”Get up off your butt and go see what life can be like in humble Nashville, Tennessee. Call our hotline today!”
You Can Actually Call the Humble Quest Headquarters
If fans dial 1-276-63 QUEST (78378), fans will hear a message from Morris that says, “You have reached the Humble Quest Headquarters. Have you an existential crisis? Are you in desperate need of an ego check? Then you’ve come to the right place.”
The message continues as Morris tells fans to text the number to “receive upcoming instructions” as “our HQHQ representatives are on an extended self-care break right now.”
Those who text the number will be subscribed to receive messages and updates from Morris herself.
Morris Is Now Selling the Fuzzy Dice That Appear in the Video
The dice hanging on the car’s rear view mirror are now for sale in Morris’ official merch store online, which you can purchase HERE.
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The Music Video Recreates Morris’ Teenage Bedroom and Includes References To The ‘90s
“I could see the visuals for ‘Circles Around This Town’ the moment I wrote the song,” Maren says. “I’ve always been so inspired by the industrial, blown out colors of music videos from the 90s, so Harper Smith and I wanted the aesthetics of this video to reflect that grainy, devil-may-care attitude of all my females heroes from that era: Sheryl, Fiona, Alanis. Obviously, having a penchant for the nostalgic, we decided to recreate my teenage bedroom and pin old photos of me as a kid on the walls and have me typing on an old PC computer. I knew I didn’t want to take anything too seriously in this video, so all our amplified ‘signs of the universe’ are purposefully campy, but they also ask the viewer, ‘Is the universe actually showing you signs or do you just know when you need to make a real change?’ ‘Circles Around This Town’ is my story, so I felt like I truly got to relive my journey from Texas to Nashville again.”
Additionally, fans will notice in the magazine at the 1:46 minute mark read 1990, which is Morris’ birth year, as well as has lyrics from the song printed in an advertisement.
The Song Broke a Record Upon Its Debut
Upon its release, “Circles Around This Town” broke the record for the most streams by a female artist on Amazon Music for a country song debut.
This just in, @MarenMorris‘ “Circles Around This Town” broke the record for most streams on @AmazonMusic for a country song debut by a female artist! 👏 pic.twitter.com/KZJwdJBtLf
— The Women of Country (@TheWomenCountry) January 8, 2022
The Music Video Contains Several Subliminal Messages
Throughout the music video motivational quotes appear, inspiring Morris to keep going.
Some of the quotes that appear include: “Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” “If you are lost, get found,” “Go,” and “Let That Sh!t go.”
Maren Morris invented motivational quotes ✨💅💭 pic.twitter.com/wquKoFEa67
— allie loves maren (@marenshero) January 7, 2022
She First Played The Song For Her Best Friend
In an interview with iHeartRadio, Morris revealed that her best friend
“The first person I played this song for was my best friend and she could careless if I’m a failure or successful,” Morris shared. “She loved how autobiographical it was, because it reminded her of when we were schlepping it out and sharing a crappy house together.
.@MarenMorris gave us the inside scoop on what her new single “Circles Around This Town” is all about! 🤠👀
Listen at the top of every hour: https://t.co/aJJqDKNGCr pic.twitter.com/LU5mQ6m3Zi— iHeartCountry (@iHeartCountry) January 7, 2022
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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