Chris Garneau is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist, whose distinc… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Garneau is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist, whose distinct musical style combines elements of folk, Americana, pop, baroque, and carnival music. Garneau cites Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, Nico, and Chan Marshall, among others, as musical influences.

Garneau, a native of Boston, lived with his family in Paris during grade school, and later New Jersey before moving to New York City. Garneau discovered a love of music at a young age while learning to play piano. After high school, Garneau briefly attended Berklee Music School in Boston, but left after completing one term and moved to Brooklyn, NY. There he began writing music and playing live shows at small venues in the East Village and Lower East Side of Manhattan, including CBGB's Gallery and "The Living Room".

Garneau eventually signed with Absolutely Kosher Records, an Emeryville, California-based record label. He was brought to the label by Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy of Xiu Xiu. Garneau released his debut album Music for Tourists in October 2006 and on iTunes in January 2007. His second project, an EP titled "C-Sides", was released in December 2007. Garneau's second full-length album, titled "El Radio," was released in July 2009.

Dirty Night Clowns
Chris Garneau Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Pick me up and hose me down
I'm sorry boys about the dirty night clowns
The Earth does bright, the things that we make
Like a model planes and gooey cakes

I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I can't clear the leaves from here

They're too far under the brush this year

Let them be buried, buried alive
In their suits, in their ties
Trees to shade the moves that they made
In their suits, in their ties
Let them be buried, buried alive
In their suits, in their ties
You're safe here, now you're in the clear
Now we'll eat soup and apple pies

I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year

I will never be
Dirt-free

Up the stairs come find me
Come sneak up behind me
I'll be sleeping soundly
Like a baby

I can't clear

The leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chris Garneau's song Dirty Night Clowns are cryptic and open to interpretation. The opening line, "Pick me up and hose me down," suggests a desire to be cleaned up or purified. However, the following line, "I'm sorry boys about the dirty night clowns," seems to reference something shameful or unpleasant. It is unclear what the "dirty night clowns" represent, but it could be interpreted as a metaphor for vices or addictions.

The next lines introduce a contrast between the natural world and human creations. "The Earth does bright, the things that we make/Like model planes and gooey cakes" suggests that while nature can be beautiful and radiant, human creations are often messy or imperfect. This contrast continues with the repeated refrain, "I can't clear the leaves from here/They're too far under the brush this year." This line could be interpreted literally, as an inability to physically clear away fallen leaves, but it could also be seen as a metaphor for baggage or unresolved issues that are difficult to address.

The final lines of the song are somewhat enigmatic: "I will never be/Dirt-free/Up the stairs come find me/Come sneak up behind me/I'll be sleeping soundly/Like a baby." These lines suggest a relinquishing of control or responsibility, a desire to be taken care of, and a sleep-like innocence. Overall, the song seems to grapple with themes of shame, imperfection, and the struggle to let go.

Line by Line Meaning

Pick me up and hose me down
Help me clean up and start fresh

I'm sorry boys about the dirty night clowns
I apologize for the mistakes made while under the influence

The Earth does bright, the things that we make
Our creations brighten up the world

Like a model planes and gooey cakes
Examples of the things we create

I can't clear the leaves from here
I can't fix the problems from where I am

They're too far under the brush this year
The problems are too deeply rooted to be fixed easily

Let them be buried, buried alive
Let the mistakes be forgotten

In their suits, in their ties
Forgetting the mistakes of the past, moving on with professionalism

Trees to shade the moves that they made
Nature will help conceal the past

You're safe here, now you're in the clear
You're free from the past here, nothing to worry about

Now we'll eat soup and apple pies
Enjoy simple pleasures without worry