Acrobats And Clowns
Golden Earring Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

All or nothin’, a change of look
Whisperin’ without a sound
You’re on your knees begging for bucks
And hear black crows singing your song

You came this far
You can’t go back
You got a noose already ‘round your neck
Memories of better days
Jumpin’ through your grave like acrobats and clowns

Remember it and you’re the look
The sunny days are without clouds
Got no reason to say you’re not
Your hands are free, with no handcuffs

I came this far
I can’t look back
I got the blues breathin’ down your neck
Memories of better days
Jumpin’ through your grave like acrobats and clowns

You’ll see the acrobats and crazy and crazy clowns
Turn your whole world upside down
Tearin’ up your pretty town
Inside out and stone by stone

Acrobats and crazy and crazy clowns
Turn your whole world upside down
Digging up your holy ground
Inside out and bone by bone

All or nothing, count me out
Here to scream, here to shout
Faithful boy without a doubt
And all good nights are my red on the cloud

I came this far
I can’t look back
I got a noose swingin’ ‘round my neck
Memories of better days
Jumpin’ through my grave like acrobats and clowns

You’ll see the acrobats and crazy and crazy clowns
Turn your whole world upside down
Tearin’ up your pretty town
Inside out and stone by stone

Acrobats and crazy and crazy clowns
Turn your whole world upside down




Digging up your holy ground
Inside out and bone, bone by bone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Golden Earring's song Acrobats And Clowns describe the struggles of a person who has hit rock bottom where they have to beg for money on their knees while black crows sing their song. The person is reminded of better days and how they used to jump through life like acrobats and clowns. This line suggests that they were once carefree and happy-go-lucky, but now they are trapped in their current situation. The lyrics also suggest that the person cannot go back and is now stuck with a noose around their neck. The memories of better days serve as a reminder of what they have lost.


The lyrics also depict the consequences of the acrobats and clowns' actions as they turn the whole world upside down and tear up the pretty town. This line suggests that their behavior is destructive and chaotic. Despite this, the person singing the lyrics seems to take pride in their faithful and uncompromising stance. They are here to scream and shout, and all good nights are their red on the cloud.


Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the choices we make in life and the consequences that come with them. The acrobats and clowns represent a carefree and reckless attitude towards life that can ultimately lead to destruction.


Line by Line Meaning

All or nothin’, a change of look
Choosing to risk everything and make a bold transformation


Whisperin’ without a sound
Talking subtly and indirectly


You’re on your knees begging for bucks
Desperately requesting money


And hear black crows singing your song
Experiencing a negative omen or sign that reflects your current state


You came this far
Having progressed to a certain point


You can’t go back
Having no opportunity to return to your previous state


You got a noose already ‘round your neck
Feeling the burden of responsibility or consequences for past actions


Memories of better days
Reflecting on happier times


Jumpin’ through your grave like acrobats and clowns
Feeling like you're in a perilous situation and are barely managing to evade danger


Remember it and you’re the look
Being recognized for a specific trait or action


The sunny days are without clouds
Experiencing a period of happiness or success


Got no reason to say you’re not
Having no justification to say that things aren't going well


Your hands are free, with no handcuffs
Experiencing freedom and being unbound by restriction


I got the blues breathin’ down your neck
Feeling constantly weighed down by sadness or regret


You’ll see the acrobats and crazy and crazy clowns
Experiencing unexpected and chaotic events


Turn your whole world upside down
Causing major changes or upheavals


Tearin’ up your pretty town
Ruining what used to be beautiful or harmonious


Inside out and stone by stone
Completely destroying and leaving no remnants


All or nothing, count me out
Refusing to take a significant risk


Here to scream, here to shout
Being present to make one's voice or opinion heard


Faithful boy without a doubt
Being completely convinced and loyal to an idea or person


And all good nights are my red on the cloud
Finding beauty or contentment in a specific and perhaps unusual experience


I got a noose swingin’ ‘round my neck
Feeling the burden of responsibility or consequences for past actions


Digging up your holy ground
Destroying or disrupting something that was once sacred or highly valued


Inside out and bone, bone by bone
Completely destroying and leaving nothing behind




Contributed by Vivian B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Jeroen Kuiper

lekkere oldskool sound :)

Mark Rago

Jeroen Kuiper Yes my friend, Golden Earring 57 years strong. I love the mojo of these guys...

Dick Heijns

KLASSE MANNEN!!! POWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!