“Circles” by Post Malone has captured the hearts of music lovers around the world with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics.
If you’re an aspiring guitarist eager to strum along to this hit song, you’re in for a treat.
In this article, we’ll break down the chords, strumming patterns, and song structure to help you master “Circles” on your guitar.
The Meaning Behind Circles:
“Circles” by Post Malone is a song about a relationship that’s stuck in a constant loop of breaking up and getting back together. The song’s lyrics express the struggle of wanting to be together but being unable to sustain a long-term relationship.
In the song, Post Malone sings about how they couldn’t “turn around” their relationship until it had nearly collapsed. He feels like he’s the “bad guy” because he couldn’t be there for her even when he tried.
The chorus of the song reveals the struggle of letting go of a relationship that doesn’t seem to improve: “Feed the flame ’cause we can’t let go. Run away, but we’re running in circles”. This suggests that every time they try to run from each other, they find themselves back in the same place, caught in a cycle.
In the second verse, the narrator begins to change his mind. He thinks they should admit that the relationship was “doomed from the get-go” and let go so they can both move on.
Overall, “Circles” is a mature departure for Malone. The song acknowledges a dodgy pattern and seeks to correct it, which is something many listeners can relate to on some level. It’s a lesson about recognizing a pattern that leads to pain and ending it.
Chords Used:
To play “Circles,” you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the following chords:
- Cmaj7
- Fmaj7
- Fm
- C
- F
- C/B
- Cmaj7/B
Step-By-Step Guide to Play Circles by Post Malone on Guitar:
Here’s a detailed and step-by-step guide to help you play Circles by Post Malone on Guitar.
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Chords
Begin by getting comfortable with the chords used in the song: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B.
Practice transitioning between these chords smoothly to build your finger strength and dexterity.
Step 2: Master the Strumming Pattern
Practice the strumming pattern, which is consistent throughout the song. The pattern is as follows:
Whole Song 120 bpm
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &
This pattern is played evenly and repeatedly for each chord change in the song.
Step 3: Learn the Song Structure
Understand the song’s structure, including the intro, verses, chorus, and other sections.
The song “Circles” by Post Malone follows a specific pattern or structure. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Intro: The song starts with an intro that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The chords used in the intro are Cmaj7, Fmaj7, and Fm.
- Verse 1: The first verse tells the beginning of the story. The chords used are C, F, Cmaj7, and Fmaj7.
- Chorus: The chorus is the main theme of the song. The chords used are Cmaj7, F, and Fm.
- Verse 2: The second verse continues the story from the first verse. The chords used are the same as in Verse 1.
- Chorus: The chorus is repeated with the same chords as before.
- Bridge: The bridge provides a change in melody and adds depth to the song. The chords used are C, G, Fmaj7, and Fm.
- Chorus: The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus.
Step 4: Start with the Intro
Begin practicing the intro chords (Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm) according to the strumming pattern provided:
Cmaj7 Cmaj7 Fmaj7 Fm
Cmaj7 Fmaj7 Cmaj7
Step 5: Work on Verse 1
Practice strumming the chords while following the lyrics of Verse 1. Pay attention to the chord changes and strumming pattern as you play through the verse.
C * F * We couldn’t turn around
C * ‘Til we were upside down
F * I’ll be the bad guy now
Cmaj7 But no, I ain’t too proud
Fmaj7 Fm I couldn’t be there
Cmaj7 Even when I tried
Fmaj7 You don’t believe it
N.C. We do this every time
Step 6: Master the Chorus
Focus on the chorus section and play the chords (Cmaj7, F, Fm) along with the lyrics. Practice the chord transitions and strumming pattern in this part of the song.
Cmaj7 Seasons change and our love went cold
F Fm Feed the flame ’cause we can’t let go
Cmaj7 Run away but we’re running in circles
F Fm Run away, run away
Cmaj7 I dare you to do something
Fmaj7 Fm I’m waiting on you again, so I don’t take the blame
Cmaj7 Run away but we’re running in circles
F Fm Run away, run away, run away
Step 7: Proceed to Verse 2, Bridge, and Final Chorus
Continue practicing the chords and strumming pattern for Verse 2, the bridge, and the final chorus. Take your time to ensure smooth transitions between the chords and maintain the rhythm.
The bridge of “Circles” by Post Malone is as follows:
C G Maybe you don’t understand what I’m going through
Fma7 Fm It’s only me, what you got to lose?
C G Make up your mind, tell me what are you gonna do
Fmaj7 Fm It’s only me, let it go
Step 8: Practice, Practice, Practice
Repetition is key to mastering any song. Practice each section of the song individually and then try playing the entire song through. Focus on areas where you find it challenging and practice those parts more intensively.
Step 9: Play Along with the Song
Once you feel confident, play along with the original song. This will help you sync your playing with the song’s tempo and improve your overall performance.
Step 10: Fine-Tune Your Playing
Pay attention to the finer details such as dynamics (playing softly and loudly), timing, and rhythm.
Adjust your strumming and chord transitions as needed to match the original recording more closely.
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Conclusion:
“Circles” by Post Malone is a great song to learn on the guitar. It’s not too complex and the chords are relatively easy to play. With a bit of practice, you’ll be playing this song in no time.

Marko is a passionate composer, producer, and multimedia artist with a Master of Music degree. His career involves performing, creating, and producing his own music in his home studio using digital and analogue equipment. Marko is a multi-instrumentalist (he plays guitar, bass, piano, theremin, and other instruments). performs live acts and DJ sets, and works on feature and short films, documentaries, festivals, theaters, and government initiatives.
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