Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
Carpenters Lyrics
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Who's that stompin' all over my face?
Where's that silhouette I'm trying to trace?
And who's putting sponge in the bells I once rung
And taking my gypsy before she's begun
Just singing and a dreaming of what's in my mind
Before I can take home what's rightfully mine
Stoppin' the feeling to wait for the times
(*) Who's saying maybe
That don't mean a thing"
'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing
Sing, sing
Who's all hung-up on that happiness thing?
Who's trying to tune all the bells they ring?
And who's in the corner and down on the floor
With pencil and paper just counting the score
Who's trying to act like he's just in-between?
The night isn't black, if you know that it's green
Don't bother looking, you're too blind to see
Who's coming on like he wanted to be?
Repeat (*)
Who's coming home on the old nine to five?
Who's got the feeling here to keep him alive?
Though havin' it, sharin' it, ain't quite the same
You painted it golden nugget, you can't lay claim
Who's seeing eyes through the crack in the floor?
There it is baby, don't you worry no more
Who should be sleepin', but 's writing this song
Wishin' and a-hopin' he weren't so damned wrong
Repeat (*) twice
The song "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" by Carpenters takes a critical look at society's pervasive discord and alienation. The opening lines "Who's that stompin' all over my face? / Where's that silhouette I'm trying to trace?" set a tone of confusion and disorientation. The singer is struggling to recognize the world around him, and the people in it seem intent on destroying what he holds dear.
The lyrics then turn to the idea of lost potential and unfulfilled dreams. The singer laments someone "taking my gypsy before she's begun" and the need to "wait for the times" before he can achieve what's rightfully his. The chorus highlights the sense of hopelessness and disillusionment, with the repeated refrain "nowadays Clancy can't even sing." The use of a fictional character, Clancy, underscores the idea that even those who seem to have it all together can experience a loss of voice and agency in the face of modern challenges.
As the song progresses, it delves deeper into the themes of societal pressure and conformity. The singer notes that someone is "hung-up on that happiness thing," and others are trying to force a certain ideal onto him. They're "counting the score" and "trying to act like he's just in-between," but the singer can see through their facade, recognizing that the world isn't always as black and white as people make it out to be.
Overall, "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" is a powerful commentary on the state of society and the individual's struggle to find meaning and purpose in a constantly changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing, sing
Starting the song with a call to sing
Who's that stompin' all over my face?
Wondering who is causing physical or emotional pain
Where's that silhouette I'm trying to trace?
Questioning the whereabouts of someone he is searching for
And who's putting sponge in the bells I once rung
Asking who is stopping him from reaching his potential
And taking my gypsy before she's begun
Referring to someone he was fond of who left him prematurely
Just singing and a dreaming of what's in my mind
Singing and daydreaming of his thoughts and desires
Before I can take home what's rightfully mine
Before he can claim what he deserves
Joinin' and a listenin' and talkin' in rhymes
Being part of a group conversation in a poetic way
Stoppin' the feeling to wait for the times
Suppressing emotions to wait for the right moment
Who's saying maybe
That don't mean a thing"
Questioning the validity of someone's indecisiveness
'Cause nowadays Clancy can't even sing
Sing, sing
Referring to someone named Clancy who can no longer express himself through music
Who's all hung-up on that happiness thing?
Asking who is overly concerned with finding happiness
Who's trying to tune all the bells they ring?
Asking who is trying to control everything around them
And who's in the corner and down on the floor
With pencil and paper just counting the score
Describing someone who is obsessively keeping score of everything
Who's trying to act like he's just in-between?
Asking who is pretending to be neutral or impartial
The night isn't black, if you know that it's green
Suggesting that one's perception can change their reality
Don't bother looking, you're too blind to see
Telling someone that they are unable or unwilling to see the truth
Who's coming on like he wanted to be?
Asking who is giving off a false impression of wanting something
Who's coming home on the old nine to five?
Asking who is coming home from work
Who's got the feeling here to keep him alive?
Asking who has passions or emotions that drive them
Though havin' it, sharin' it, ain't quite the same
Noting that having something and sharing it are two different things
You painted it golden nugget, you can't lay claim
Suggesting that someone cannot take credit for something they did not originally create
Who's seeing eyes through the crack in the floor?
Asking who is able to perceive something despite it being hidden or obscured
There it is baby, don't you worry no more
Reassuring someone that what they have been searching for has been found
Who should be sleepin', but 's writing this song
Acknowledging that he should be sleeping but is instead writing the song
Wishin' and a-hopin' he weren't so damned wrong
Expressing regret for being incorrect or making a mistake
Who's saying maybe
That don't mean a thing"
Repeating the earlier lines, questioning someone's indecisiveness
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rafaella Britto
I'm a great Neil Young fan, but for me this arrangement by Richard is absolutely sublime. So smooth and sweet, feels like traveling through the ocean on a sunny day, feeling the breeze... One of the most underrated Carpenters' tunes.
Chuck Sparks
Karen’s voice is sublime in backup/chorus, a gorgeous extra dimension; she makes this song amazing. But then, that’s true of everything she sang.
Get Lost
Karen's voice is a bit husky here, but still great. She also does not sing the "damn" line.
Rita6868 Sora
Great song when sung by The Carpenters.They made everything sound better!
Ezralibrascale
I'm 22yrs old but I admire great music with amazing harmonies throughout time, and the carpenters had it
falldownhard
Well I think Richard utterly transformed this into something astounding - one of my very favorite, if not favorite, album tracks of all the Carpenters. I get why some might want to stick with Neil Young's original, but I didn't hear Buff Springfield's version until after I heard the Carpenters, so to me theirs sounds like, well, a discordant demo. That's a matter of preference though, it's still Neil's song.
Insane4Twain
Best of all, Neil Young didn't sing the song. Richie Furay did.
Beth mc
One of my favourites,Ive loved the carpenters for years and still do ,im a sufferer and although I love the songs and words just haunt me so much in alot of their songs,This is one of there best albums ever...Karen was an awsome drummer then and now,GODBLESS KC
Wolfsky9
Richard showed us a preview of what was to come with this brilliant reworking of the Fever Tree / Buffalo Springfield hit song. when I 1st heard this, I was just amazed that he & Karen would even try to do this, as Neil Young was a very distinctive song writer. ----------Beautifully done !! ------------------------------wolfSky9, 72 y/o
Coupydog
đź‘Ť right on Wolfsky. How's doing?