Founded in Detroit in 1989, Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances. Originally known as JJ Boyz and Inner City Posse, the group introduced supernatural- and horror-themed lyrics as a means of distinguishing itself stylistically. The duo founded the independent record label Psychopathic Records with Alex Abbiss as manager, and produced and starred in the feature films Big Money Hustlas and Big Money Rustlas. They formed their own professional wrestling promotion, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, and later collaborated with many hip hop and rock musicians.
The songs of Insane Clown Posse center thematically on the mythology of the Dark Carnival, a metaphoric limbo in which the lives of the dead are judged by one of several entities. The Dark Carnival is elaborated through a series of stories called Joker's Cards, each of which offers a specific lesson designed to change the "evil ways" of listeners before "the end consumes us all". The original lineup of Insane Clown Posse was John Utsler (John Kickjazz), Joe Bruce (Violent J) and Joey Utsler (Shaggy 2 Dope). John Utsler left before Carnival of Carnage was released in 1992.
Insane Clown Posse's performance style is often described as horrorcore hip hop, which "utilize shocking (and blatantly over-the-top) narratives to give an over-exaggerated, almost cartoon-like version of urban deprivation in Detroit", according to author Sara Cohen. Bruce and Utsler describe many of their lyrics as being tongue-in-cheek. The group's early work features a raw, minimalistic sound, which later evolved into a more rock-oriented style. The group's lyrics serve as morality tales, with songs focusing on subjects such as cannibalism, murder and necrophilia. Insane Clown Posse's debut album, Carnival of Carnage, features a politically-oriented focus, criticizing elitism and prejudice against those who live in the ghetto, while the album's liner notes criticize the Gulf War. The group's lyrics have opposed racism, bigotry, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Insane Clown Posse has covered songs by Geto Boys, Sly Fox, and Above the Law. Bruce and Utsler refer to Ice Cube, Awesome Dre, Geto Boys, and Esham as influences on their own music, while Bruce has expressed admiration for Gong, Pearl Jam, and Michael Jackson. Mike E. Clark's production for the group incorporates elements such as "carnival organ riffs, power chords and shotgun blasts...banjolike plucking and Van Halen-esque guitar squeals", while Bruce and Utsler sometimes alternate between rapping and screaming. Bruce has credited pop music as an influence on some of the group's material, even terming the music "Wicked Pop". Bruce has also stated "We do our own genre of music". In his review of The Tempest, Allmusic's David Jeffries writes that Bruce and Utsler "[rap] in a carnival barker fashion that fits with their circus motif, their Insane Clown disguises, and Mike E. Clark's big top-inspired production." Insane Clown Posse has influenced similar acts, such as Axe Murder Boyz, Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Boondox.
Night of the Chainsaw
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything spills into one pot
On top of that I smoke rock
I hear that shit, but I won't stop
Last time on the spot choked a cop
Stopped and had a Faygo soda pop
In the back of my truck, Chuck the chainsaw
Usually chop wood, but that ain't all
Cut a hole in your head 'till I hit brains
Left a cop in the pile while maybe
It's the night of the chainsaw baby
Cut 'em up Chuck (somebody)
Cut 'em up Chuck (get bloody)
Cut 'em up Chuck (go nutty)
Cut 'em up chuck (go)
Cut 'em up chuck (go)
Cut 'em up
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
Petroleum, inhale it, and take a swig
Heat my brains up, bake my wig
Killing time, with no shirt homie
I love it when the blood squirt on me
Walked up to a house, jabbed the door
And kicked it in, my victim hid
Stuck Chuck in the closet
And I can tell by the deposit, I got my target
French poodle, stomp it limp noodle
Rev Chuck up and stir the strudel
Guts on the lawn, fuck's going on?
Chainsaw Chuck ‘till the break of dawn
Cut 'em up Chuck (somebody)
Cut 'em up Chuck (get bloody)
Cut 'em up Chuck (go nutty)
Cut 'em up chuck (go)
Cut 'em up chuck (go)
Cut 'em up
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
Bloody feet, no shoes, into a party
I wasen't invited, but that bitch ignited
I screamed and laughed, chopping fools in half
I stab and hack, a mad lumberjack
Smell that fuel, hear the machine
Chucks a demon, I must be dreamin'
Bloody showers, feel the power
We devour you fuckin' cowards
A loony loose, Chuck full of juice
Beggin's no use, I knows no truce
It's yo noose about to see your own produce
Night of the Chainsaw written by Joe Bruce
Cut ‘em up Chuck (somebody)
Cut 'em up Chuck (get bloody)
Cut 'em up Chuck (go nutty)
Cut 'em up chuck (go)
Cut 'em up chuck (go)
Cut 'em up
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down
You, can't, calm me down (I'm so high)
You, can't, calm me down (I'm so high)
You, can't, calm me down (I'm so high)
You, can't, calm me down (I'm so high)
The lyrics to "Night of the Chainsaw" by Insane Clown Posse are graphic and violent, describing the actions of a character who is high on drugs and wielding a chainsaw. The first verse describes the character's drug use, including PCP, meth, and anti-depression pills, and how they all blend together in his system. He also mentions that he smokes rock and refuses to stop, even after choking a cop. He carries a chainsaw in the back of his truck and uses it not only to chop wood, but to cut into people's heads to expose their brains. The chorus commands Chuck, the chainsaw, to "cut 'em up" and go crazy.
In the second verse, the character talks about inhaling petroleum to further enhance his high and going on a killing spree. He breaks into a victim's house and hides Chuck in a closet until his target appears. He then reveals that his victim is a French poodle and proceeds to chop it up. The final verse describes the character showing up at a party uninvited and causing chaos with Chuck. The song ends with the character being so high that he cannot be calmed down.
Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid and disturbing picture of drug-fueled violence and murder.
Line by Line Meaning
PCP, meth, mad anti-depression pills
I have combined several different drugs together to create a powerful high.
Everything spills into one pot
All the drugs I take have mixed together and are affecting me in unpredictable ways.
On top of that I smoke rock
I also smoke crack, which further amplifies my high and contributes to my reckless behavior.
I hear that shit, but I won't stop
Despite the dangers of my drug use, I am unwilling to seek help or change my habits.
Last time on the spot choked a cop
During my last run-in with the law, I attacked a police officer and could have seriously injured or killed them.
Stopped and had a Faygo soda pop
After the violent encounter with the cop, I took a break to indulge in a sugary soft drink.
In the back of my truck, Chuck the chainsaw
I carry a chainsaw with me for unknown reasons, and it is named Chuck.
Usually chop wood, but that ain't all
I typically use my chainsaw for mundane tasks, but I have more sinister intentions with it as well.
It's a bit strange all up in your mid-range
My behavior is unusual and unpredictable, causing discomfort or fear in those around me.
Cut a hole in your head 'till I hit brains
I have a desire to harm others and inflict pain, and I am willing to go to extreme lengths to do so.
Left a cop in the pile while maybe
I may have killed the police officer I previously attacked, leaving their body in a pile.
It's the night of the chainsaw baby
This is a phrase to hype up the song and create a sense of chaos and danger.
You, can't, calm me down
Even if someone wanted to help me, my drug use and violent tendencies make me unreachable and unmanageable.
Petroleum, inhale it, and take a swig
I have taken to huffing gasoline as well as drinking it, further showcasing the dangerous and erratic behavior brought on by my drug use.
Heat my brains up, bake my wig
These actions have physical consequences, such as damaging my brain and altering my appearance.
Killing time, with no shirt homie
I am engaging in deadly activities as a way to pass the time, without regard for the consequences or my personal safety.
I love it when the blood squirt on me
I am aroused by the violence and the bloodshed that my actions create, emphasizing my sadistic tendencies.
Walked up to a house, jabbed the door
I am invading someone's home with the intent to harm them, displaying a complete disregard for others' safety and personal space.
And kicked it in, my victim hid
I kick the door down and my intended victim tries to hide from me, but I am determined to harm them.
Stuck Chuck in the closet
I am using my chainsaw, which I have dubbed Chuck, to attack those who stand in my way or refuse to comply with me.
And I can tell by the deposit, I got my target
I have found and attacked the person I was looking for, as evidenced by a bodily fluid they left on or near the closet door.
French poodle, stomp it limp noodle
I am capable of killing small, helpless creatures and enjoy doing so, further emphasizing my sadistic tendencies.
Rev Chuck up and stir the strudel
I am excited by the noise and destruction that my chainsaw causes, even likening it to cooking or baking.
Guts on the lawn, fuck's going on?
My actions have caused serious harm and messy bodily fluids to be left outside, and I am either surprised or amused by the reaction of those around me.
Chainsaw Chuck 'till the break of dawn
I will continue to use my chainsaw to cause destruction and inflict harm until dawn, when my mood may change or my high wears off.
Bloody feet, no shoes, into a party
I am so consumed by my violent tendencies that I am willing to attend a social gathering covered in blood and without proper footwear.
I wasen't invited, but that bitch ignited
I have an irrational hatred or grudge against someone who is attending the party and am ready to attack them at any moment.
I screamed and laughed, chopping fools in half
I derive great pleasure from causing harm and inflicting violence, further highlighting my sadistic tendencies and mental instability.
I stab and hack, a mad lumberjack
My actions are deliberate and unhinged, with little regard for the consequences or impact on those around me.
Smell that fuel, hear the machine
I am so focused on my violent behavior and the sound of the chainsaw that I am not paying attention to anything else in my surroundings.
Chucks a demon, I must be dreamin'
I am either delusional or intentionally presenting myself as a demonic, evil figure, further emphasizing my unstable and dangerous nature.
Bloody showers, feel the power
I am so consumed and overwhelmed by my violent tendencies that I am not bothered by the blood and bodily fluids covering me.
We devour you fuckin' cowards
I am equating those who are afraid or distressed by my behavior with weakness and inferiority, suggesting that only those who enjoy or are unbothered by violence are worthy of respect.
A loony loose, Chuck full of juice
I am completely unhinged and unpredictable, with my chainsaw acting as an extension of my violent tendencies.
Beggin's no use, I knows no truce
I am beyond reason or pleas for mercy, and cannot be stopped or reasoned with.
It's yo noose about to see your own produce
I am intentionally invoking fear or intimidation in those around me and asserting my dominance and control over them.
Night of the Chainsaw written by Joe Bruce
This is a self-referential statement referring to the artist who wrote and performed the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DomozoveoGZ
this entire video is hilarious. the editing, crazy facial expressions, over-the-top gore, green blood, this is great lmao
PapaShango619
That's what I love about it.
heightsofsagarmatha
Cut 'em up, Chuck
Mike Fu
This song is WAY underrated!......especially the video. Definitely one of the most badass music videos I've seen.....very powerful!
Katie Lajune
Icp, I first heard you when I was 13. You got me through high school. And now I’m 30 and every time I need to smile or am having a bad day I come back to you 💕💕💕💕love you guys so much . Juggalo family for life .
Panda Boi Fishing and Pets
@DJ UK A ICP fan
Panda Boi Fishing and Pets
Whoop Whoop
Nah_its_brandon
Whoop whoop
DJ UK
Wots a juggalo?
Analena Hosack
I actually love insane clown posse never got really into them till now but they be fucking great. My dad is super into them so I might as well start listening lmfao.