Prime Circle is one of those South African bands that seem to have been around for ages and their sound continues to progress.
The multiple-award-winning band continues to push boundaries – no wonder they continue to remain relevant and one of SA’s premier rock bands.
The frontman, Ross Learmonth, has been one of the stalwarts of SA rock and, although the band is known for their consummate, energetic performances, they also know how to settle down and deliver a couple of beautiful ballads that are soothing to the ear and soulful to the heart.
Prime Circle consists of Ross Learmonth (vocals and guitar); Marco Gomes (bass); Dale Schnettler (drums); Neil Breytenbach (keyboard) and Dirk Bisschoff (guitar).
Here are my top 5 picks:
5. Staring At Satellites
The acoustic guitar lead in the intro of the track, combined with the keyboard and synth elements from Neil Breytenbach, create a fantastic atmosphere for this track. The song’s use of violin and various synth elements against the backdrop of an acoustic guitar foundation adds to the symphonic quality. Learmonth’s vocals are as crisp as can be with the lyrics reflecting the emotions of a song focused on finding yourself in a dark world, looking for hope. ‘I’m staring at satellites, wonder if they can hear me now. I need them so much tonight. Want all the light to fill me in,’ sings Learmonth. An intense, moving track that touches your senses.

4. Turn Me To Stone
This piano-driven ballad is one of the most beloved tracks from Prime Circle. It looks at relationships and how life takes you through turns and seasons. The lyrics look at how choices and events can cause problems and misery and how rash decisions can create untold hurt and resentment. Learmonth is absolutely at his prime with the vocals on this track: ‘You turn me to stone, I can’t move out my way. You turn me to stone, I’ll be waiting every day.’
The use of synth and violin in a distortion guitar-driven outro is another brilliant addition to an already emotion-laden track. The lyrics, ‘Never going to be the same again,’ work perfectly to showcase the raw emotion in the track.

3. As Long As I am Here
‘As Long As I Am Here’ is one of Prime Circle’s oldest tracks and, with its acoustic guitar driven rhythm and drumbeat, creates the perfect foil for Learmonth’s bold vocals to come through. Bischoff’s guitar work is on point with a dark, haunting melody complemented with some clever synth elements to create a fantastic feel for this love song. ‘I cannot move cause I’m under her spell, cannot breathe as a side effect from this, and I don’t care as long as I’m here,’ sings Learmonth in the chorus. The track focuses on how relationships and the uncertainty involved in a complicated one, can create anxiety and tension. A fantastic track from Prime Circle’s first album, Hello Crazy World.

2. Weaker Still
When I first heard ‘Weaker Still’ years ago, I knew it would be a major hit with its soothing melody and potent lyrics. The live version is an even bigger smash hit, with its piano balladry adding even more punch to the acoustic track. The song focuses on romance, unfulfilled relationships and the loneliness of the search to find yourself. ‘Ask me one more time, was it you that cried? Ask me one more time, I’m listening, I’m listening now. I’m just pondering where to go where I’ve been.’ The chorus is also a masterpiece: ‘I’m in a fast track going slow, lost in a warm place that’s so cold, all of this makes no sense to me, oh I get weaker still.’

1. Breathing
Breathing is by far Prime Circle’s best-known ballad since it topped the radio charts back in 2010. The song focuses on starting over and not looking back, even when things have happened in the past. It may be painful but the future brings hope and gives you the chance to breathe again. ‘Here’s to the good times, the bad times, the times that could’ve been. Here to the wrong times, the right times, I know we’ll breathe again.’
The piano intro forms the basis of the song before some beautiful violin hits in the magnificent bridge, where the tempo shifts one step higher to end off with a crescendo-inducing chorus.