Ampop is an Icelandic melodic-pop/rock band from Reykjavík, Iceland. The na… Read Full Bio ↴Ampop is an Icelandic melodic-pop/rock band from Reykjavík, Iceland. The name of the band is actually the name of the first song they ever wrote, and is made from the words ambient and pop, which they thought was the definition of the music they were making at that time.

The band was originally a duo, but before making their third album they added a drummer to the band. The band currently consists of 3 members:

Biggi Hilmars: Guitar, Vocals
Kjartan: Keyboards
Jón Geir: Drums
Those in the know will have first come across the band through their two critically acclaimed electronic based albums released in their homeland. The second of these (“Made for Market”) was considered by many local critics the best Icelandic album of 2003. Their one supporter outside Iceland was John Peel.

Keen to develop their sound the band bunkered down in their own studio and over time developed a more organic and song based direction moving away from the more electronic influences of their earlier material. The first examples of the band’s new direction were demo versions of two songs, “My Delusions” and “Don’t let me down” which saw the light of day early in 2005. These tracks were instantly picked up on by Radio 1’s; Zane Lowe who played “My delusions” on several occasions and invited the band to play live on his show from Austin, Texas, during this year’s SXSW music festival. AMPOP played alongside The Bravery, Hot Hot Heat, The Blood Arm and Queens of the Stone Age as the only unsigned band.

Other important DJs such as Huw Stephens and Vic Galloway at Radio 1, or Vic McGlynn at BBC 6 Music have also put the stamp of approval to the new songs and have championed the band in their radio shows.

After the successful appearance at SXSW the band went back to their studio to finish the album, stopping only to play in NY and the NXNE festival in Toronto. The first single off the new album, “My delusions”, gets a UK release via Relentless Records imprint Stimulus Records , who spotted the band live in Austin, on November the 28th.

The band has been invited to support KT Tunstall in Aberdeen on October the 4 th at a Radio 2 event, and will be playing London next to launch the single on November the 28 th at Islington Bar Academy.

Meanwhile, back in Iceland, the brand new album, “My delusions”, is now out via Dennis Records/Sena and is getting rave reviews and extensive radio play.

Studio albums
Sail to the moon (2006)
My Delusions (2005)
Made For Market (2002)
Nature Is Not A Virgin (2000)

Singles
Gets me Down (2006)
My Delusions / Youth (2005)
Made For Market (2002)

Clown
Ampop Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How does it feel
to do what you do?
Wandering around
in a costume that stinks
High above the clouds
trying to get by

You don't make me smile

Even when you pass me by
You can't make me smile
It's plain and simple
what you have to do to get by

How does it feel
to do what you do?
Wandering around
In a complete misery

You don't make me smile
Even when you pass me by
You can't make me smile

It's plain and simple
what you have to do to get by

Overall Meaning

In Ampop's song "Clown," the lyrics explore the life of a struggling performer who is working as a clown. The song is melancholic and somber, highlighting the sadness and difficulty that the clown faces in their line of work. The repetition of the questions "how does it feel to do what you do?" and "you don't make me smile" emphasizes the despair and sadness that the performer feels as they try to make a living.

The image of the "costume that stinks" and the reference to the clown being high above the clouds suggests that the performer is traveling constantly and possibly performing in a variety of different venues. This can be a lonely and difficult life, as they may not have a permanent physical or social home. The lyrics also suggest that the performer is struggling to make a living, as they are forced to do something they don't enjoy in order to get by.

The message of the song seems to be that sometimes in life, we are forced to do things we don't like or that make us unhappy in order to survive. The clown's profession is a metaphor for any job or circumstance that we may find ourselves in that is not fulfilling. The lyrics suggest that it is important to find a way to cope and survive in these situations, even if it means putting on a metaphorical "costume that stinks."

Line by Line Meaning

How does it feel
Asking about the emotional experience of performing your job as a clown

to do what you do?
Questioning the chosen profession of being a clown and the fulfillment it brings

Wandering around
Roaming aimlessly and without direction

in a costume that stinks
Wearing a suit that is repugnant and devoid of appeal

High above the clouds
Performing on a high stage that is physically elevated

trying to get by
Attempting to survive or make ends meet from the chosen profession

You don't make me smile
The clown cannot bring joy or happiness to the observer, which is their primary objective

Even when you pass me by
Even when the clown is in close proximity to the observer

You can't make me smile
The clown is not successful in fulfilling their duty

It's plain and simple
It is a straightforward and evident truth

what you have to do to get by
What is required to do to survive, despite the failure to bring joy and happiness through clowning