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.
The Show Must Go On
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey yo, check it out man
ICP's back in the haugh man
Violent J, man
2 Dope, man
Wicked clown, man
Fuck yeah, man
Open your mouth 'cause here comes my wang
I'm Violent J, the southwest skitso
Born in a big top, magical mijisto
Dead body disco, rapping to the hoochies
Dirty old fat hoes come up with a smoochie
Hoochie coochie la la la la
I might pull your tongue out your mouth
And try to hang ya
It's a full moon and the riddle's are calling
Three more cards and the sky's will be falling
But don't take it from me, I'm just a clown
Wicked clown, wicked town, juggalugalocolicky
Down and out till my nuts start singing
Dancing, hopping, I'm a keep bringing
Riddles and tricks and dead body chicks
With the swing of my magical wand
The show must go on!
"Well it all began when I was very young
I was feeling so excited about the carnival's arrival
Everyone was jolly and jittery
I waited for their wagons until well after dusk
That night, while I was sleeping
I was awoken by a cold eerie wind
Looking out, I seen strange men, cursing and filthy
There were clowns setting up the dreary tent"
I'm 2 Dope and I sport tight Wranglers
Don't say a word or I'll kick ya in the neck, bitch
Everybody round make way for the clown
Been to New York and L.A., I'm southwest down
Walked into Del Ray's almost got my ass kicked
Rather just chill in the yard in my casket
Call up the hoes, have em swing by the tomb
And get a little sticky stank up in this bitch
Killer clowns kicked out the circus
Used to get live, let the midget lady work this
I was a freak show, they called me the Pogo
I could make my ball sac bob like a yo-yo
Give it up, give it up, southwest looney tune
Killed another redneck, found his head in looney doon
Gooney boon, booney goon, I can hear the loons
In my head as I sing my wicked song
The show must go on!
"I never been afraid of clown
But these clowns were different
There was nothing funny about these clowns but then
They smiled, they juggled, they laughed
But yet something was terribly, terribly wrong
I didn't like these clowns for I could see threw them
I knew what they were really like
I knew that this carnival that had come to my village
Was an evil, evil thing"
[Chorus]
Come see the show, big top show
Walk in and hang with the dead carnival
Dead carny carnies, dead juggalos
Walk in and hang with the dead carnival
You ask do we gangbang, do we bang in a gang
Do we bang bang, I'm a gangbanger, man
I bang in a gang, man, you can suck my wang, man
Richie boy, richie boy, it's a southwest thang
Serial murderer, southwest maniac
Slaughterer, lunatic, high school braniac
Straight-A school boy, school kid
Till I went to school and tried to murder everyone
The show must go on!
"My neighbors and friends were fools, all of them
Totally unaware of the evilness within the clowns
Their eyes reflected stairways into hell
Their faces painted with blood
I ran from the carnival clowns
Yet every road and every path
Led me right back to the big tent
I had no excuse from the strong men,
The freak show, and the Ringmaster"
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of Insane Clown Posse's song The Show Must Go On tells a story of the carnival's arrival in a village and the horrors that come with it. The song is narrated by Violent J and 2 Dope, two members of the Insane Clown Posse (ICP), who describe their experience of the carnival. Violent J talks about his background as a circus performer and raps about dead body disco and rapping to the hoochies. He warns that the riddles are calling and the sky's falling, but insists that the show must go on. Meanwhile, 2 Dope boasts about being a southwest thang, a killer clown, and a gangbanger. He talks about his encounters with rednecks and describes his unusual ability to make his ball sac bob like a yo-yo. The chorus repeats several times, inviting listeners to come see the show and hang with the dead carnival.
The song is a part of ICP's album The Ringmaster, which is a sequel to their debut album Carnival of Carnage. Both albums explore the theme of carnivals and the dark side of entertainment. The Show Must Go On continues this theme by presenting a vivid description of a carnival that is both fascinating and terrifying. The lyrics feature graphic descriptions of dead bodies, blood, and violence, creating a surreal mood that is both creepy and absurd.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, quick, hurry up, bang
I'm excited and want to get things started quickly.
Open your mouth 'cause here comes my wang
I'm vulgar and disrespectful.
I'm Violent J, the southwest skitso
I take on an alter ego while performing.
Born in a big top, magical mijisto
My origin is in the circus.
Dead body disco, rapping to the hoochies
I'm performing a grotesque dance for women.
Dirty old fat hoes come up with a smoochie
Unattractive women are attracted to my act.
Hoochie coochie la la la la
I'm continuing my performance for these women.
I might pull your tongue out your mouth and try to hang ya
I'm violent and aggressive.
It's a full moon and the riddle's are calling
I'm setting the scene for my performance.
Three more cards and the sky's will be falling
I'm building up suspense.
But don't take it from me, I'm just a clown
I'm reminding my audience that my act is just entertainment and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Wicked clown, wicked town, juggalugalocolicky
I'm reminding my audience of my stage name and persona.
Down and out till my nuts start singing
I'll perform until I physically can't anymore.
Dancing, hopping, I'm a keep bringing
I'll continue to perform energetically.
Riddles and tricks and dead body chicks
My act includes puzzles, illusions, and females who pretend to be dead.
With the swing of my magical wand
I use props to create an illusion for my audience.
The show must go on!
I'm reminding my audience that the performance will continue no matter what.
I never been afraid of clown
I'm sharing a personal detail about myself.
But these clowns were different
I'm distinguishing these clowns from others.
There was nothing funny about these clowns but then
I'm noting a change in my perception.
They smiled, they juggled, they laughed
These clowns try to appear friendly and entertaining.
But yet something was terribly, terribly wrong
I sensed something was off.
I didn't like these clowns for I could see threw them
I saw through their act and didn't trust them.
I knew what they were really like
I had a perception of what kind of people they truly were.
I knew that this carnival that had come to my village
I had a sense that this carnival brought something sinister with it.
Was an evil, evil thing
I believed this carnival was malicious.
Come see the show, big top show
I'm inviting my audience to my performance.
Walk in and hang with the dead carnival
My performance involves a macabre setting.
Dead carny carnies, dead juggalos
My stage is populated by dead characters.
You ask do we gangbang, do we bang in a gang
I'm responding to a hypothetical question regarding sexual activity.
Do we bang bang, I'm a gangbanger, man
I'm giving a crude answer regarding sexual activity.
Richie boy, richie boy, it's a southwest thang
I use slang to refer to my regional identity.
Serial murderer, southwest maniac
I'm describing myself in violent terms.
Slaughterer, lunatic, high school braniac
I combine intelligence with brutal traits in my persona.
Straight-A school boy, school kid
I'm highlighting my academic achievement in contrast to my violent persona.
Till I went to school and tried to murder everyone
My dark past is revealed.
My neighbors and friends were fools, all of them
I'm criticizing those around me.
Totally unaware of the evilness within the clowns
I noticed the sinister nature of these clowns before anyone else.
Their eyes reflected stairways into hell
I saw through their facade and recognized their malintent.
Their faces painted with blood
Their image was gory and intimidating.
I ran from the carnival clowns
I'm showing fear in the face of danger.
Yet every road and every path led me right back to the big tent
I couldn't escape these sinister forces.
I had no excuse from the strong men, the freak show, and the Ringmaster
I was compelled to confront these frightening figures.
Gooney boon, booney goon, I can hear the loons
I'm using peculiar language and themes in my act.
In my head as I sing my wicked song
I'm revealing the source of my creativity.
The show must go on!
I'm affirming that my performance will continue despite any difficulties I face.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLARK, CLAYTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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