Clown
Carey Mariah Lyrics

Yeah, yeah
Agreeing to the previous statement

I guess your momma never told you
Implied meaning that the person lacks manners and etiquette and is ignorant of basic life principles

That what goes around comes back around
Saying that the person will get their comeuppance for their actions

I should've left it at, how ya doing?
Regretting a poor decision to engage with the other person

I should've left it at I like your music too, and
Feeling that talking about music would have kept the interaction superficial and harmless

I should've never called you back when you pursued me
Regretting an action which led to the other person expecting a more than casual relationship

I should've never given you my fucking two way
Regretting giving the other person the means to contact them which led to further problems

I should've never listened to your woeful stories
Regretting listening to the other person's repetitive and tiresome accounts of their own issues

The ones I'm sure you told a thousand times before me
Implying that the other person has superficial and disingenuous intentions and cannot think of anything else to talk about

You should've never intimated we were lovers
Feeling that the other person led them on and misrepresented the nature of their previous interaction

When you know very well we never even touched each other
Clarifying that there was no physical intimacy between them despite the other person suggesting otherwise

Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and
Questioning who will support the other person when their life or career takes a downturn

Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Questioning who will be there for the other person when they are no longer wealthy or financially stable

Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
Questioning who will continue to show interest in the other person when they are no longer unique or exciting

When the star of the show isn't you anymore?
Pointing out that others may achieve greater success or notoriety than the other person

Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
Saying that others are indifferent to the other person's problems and are not there to provide comfort or help

I guess your momma never told you that what comes around comes back around
Reiterating the earlier warning that the other person's actions will have consequences

I gotta break it to ya delicately, dummy
Saying that they will tell the truth to the other person gently but still implying that the other person is ignorant or foolish

Taking my G5 twenty minutes wasn't nothing
Implying that the other person does not appreciate the cost and value of other people's time and possessions

But I guess you wouldn't know that's the way I roll
Pointing out that the other person is unfamiliar with the artist's lifestyle and priorities

Consequently now your ego's fully overblown
Implying that the other person has let their limited interactions with the artist go to their head and is now overly full of themselves

You don't want the world to know that you're just a puppet show
Suggesting that the other person does not want others to know that they are not in control of their own life or career

And the little boy inside often sits at home alone
Suggesting that despite the other person's lavish lifestyle, they are still emotionally immature and may struggle with loneliness

And cries, cries, cries, cries (Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and)
Imagining the other person in a vulnerable and sad state, and repeating the earlier question about who will support them

Your pain is so deep rooted (Nobody)
Recognizing that the other person is not handling their emotional issues in a healthy or productive way

What will your life become?
Asking what the other person's future holds if they do not address their emotional and personal issues

Sure you hide it but you're lost and lonesome
Suggesting that despite the other person's public persona, they still struggle with feelings of sadness and isolation

Still just a frail shook one
Saying that despite the other person's wealth and success, they are still emotionally weak and vulnerable

(Tell me who's gonna love you?)
Repeating the earlier question about who will be there for the other person in their time of need

Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and (I'd like to know)
Asking the question again, and expressing genuine curiosity and concern

Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out? (The jokes on you)
Pointing out that the other person's excessive focus on money and material possessions may ultimately lead to their downfall

Who's gonna care when the novelty's over? (Who's making your move)
Questioning who will be there for the other person when they are no longer novel or interesting, and questioning what their next career move will be

When the star of the show isn't you anymore
Repeating the earlier line, acknowledging that others may outshine the other person in their field of work or career

Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (Nobody baby)
Reiterating that other people are indifferent to the other person's emotional troubles, and using a more dismissive tone

Oh he's in the school yeah
Unclear what this line means, it may be a reference to something specific or it may be a non sequitur

I guess your momma never told you (Yes, you better think twice)
Reiterating the earlier warning that the other person's actions will have consequences, and implying that they should reconsider their behavior

That what goes around comes back around
Repeating the same idea that earlier lines have expressed

You're no superhero
Saying that the other person is not infallible or invulnerable, and may face setbacks or failures like anyone else