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 Tower
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With some black leather shoes and desert BDU's
Many boxes of ammo, I got the camo face paint
Barricaded the tower doors, safe this place ain't
Up to the top, I can see the whole planet it would seem
The sun is beatin on my head as I'm livin my horror dream
Up-chucked a couple times then I finally took aim
A man is chattin on his cell phone, I spattered his brain
He kept right the fuck without her, like he never missed a step
I snapped one to his head, he fell dead to his knees
Then his wife was right there to retrieve the car keys
Not many notice at first, although some do start to scatter
Pluggin iron in they back, who they are it doesn't matter
There's a psychopathic, way up in the tower somewhere
And when they think they outta range [gunshot] poof they hair
[chorus]
And it was hot that day (someone's in the tower)
So fuckin hot (shooting from the tower)
And it was hot that day (someone's in the tower)
So fuckin hot...
I shot the lady in the ass and the kid on the grass
And the daddy on the swing through the lens in his glasses
First cop on the scene will be commended for his services
For now he holds his throat and scream "I didn't deserve this"
The tower too high, I'm bringin shot from above
'cause my head's a battle royale of serpents, snails, and bugs
I'm quadarpolar, though my snipers scope I see the enemy
The world ain't never been my friend and never pretended to be
I fought in two wars, my country left me poor and sick
Leg missin, agent orange and an un-useable dick
So as I reload, my trigger finger's frozen cold
From squeezing so hard my reason is no control
Warped soul, look at that, pap-pap-krack
Three frat college boys flat, dead on they back
And they lady tryin to hide behind the dead fat guy
Just got one plucked in her eye
[chorus]
And it was hot that day (someone's in the tower)
So fuckin hot (shooting from the tower)
And it was hot that day (someone's in the tower)
So fuckin hot...
I'm finally at war again, only I ain't takin orders
200 yards below, I'm taggin targets, small as quarters
Marksman, sniper, military precision
Spotlight on the tower, tryna nullify my vision
My eyeballs keep rollin in the back of my head
Practicing for any minute when I'm actually dead
They put the tape up, these people think they outta my view
But still, I'm steady pluggin sleepin pills off into them too
I see in strobe light vision and I'm way beyond a panic
My only skill is murder and I'm stuck on automatic
Sweatin profusely, bleedin outta my ears
Their shots are missing by fragments, bullets shavin my hairs
And yet my aim is remarkable, I'm peggin these duck
One by one, jumpin out of those SWAT team trucks
I see the major activity, I'm caughing a chao
Mad... my life went out with a flash
[chorus]
And it was hot that day (someone's in the tower)
So fuckin hot (shooting from the tower)
And it was hot that day (someone's in the tower)
So fuckin hot...
And it was hot that day, so fuckin hot
It shouldn't get that hot, humid and hot
Beatin down on us, so fuckin hot
Too fuckin hot that day, just too fuckin hot
How can it get that hot, how can it be that hot?
Too hot, too hot, too hot, it was just too fuckin hot
The song "The Tower" by Insane Clown Posse is a horror-rap narrative that vividly details the actions of a man who has barricaded himself in a tower and is shooting people from above. The lyrics are presented from the perspective of the shooter, who is described as a former soldier with physical and psychological scars from his time fighting in wars. The lyrics provide a glimpse into the mind of someone who is both mentally unstable and deeply disillusioned with the world. The shooter takes pleasure in killing innocent people, including a couple who he shoots because the man abandons his wife during the attack. The song is a disturbing and violent exploration of how someone's past traumas can lead them down a path of destructive behavior.
In terms of the song's structure, it features a chorus that repeats the line "And it was hot that day" several times. This line serves to reinforce the oppressive heat and discomfort of the environment, which likely adds to the shooter's feelings of frustration and instability. Additionally, the use of the word "hot" could also be interpreted as foreshadowing the shooter's ultimate fate, as he is likely to face consequences for his actions.
Overall, "The Tower" is a bleak and unsettling depiction of a violent rampage. The lyrics force listeners to confront the dark realities of trauma and mental illness and offer a sobering reminder of the dangers of unchecked anger and resentment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dizzy walkin outta larry's army wear used
I'm disoriented as I leave Larry's army surplus store, dressed in used military attire.
With some black leather shoes and desert BDU's
I'm wearing black leather shoes with my desert Battle Dress Uniform.
Many boxes of ammo, I got the camo face paint
I've stockpiled many boxes of ammunition and painted my face with camouflage paint.
Barricaded the tower doors, safe this place ain't
I've barred the doors to the tower, but it's not actually safe here.
Up to the top, I can see the whole planet it would seem
I've climbed to the top of the tower and can see everything below me.
The sun is beatin on my head as I'm livin my horror dream
It's a hot day and the sun is beating down on my head as I live out my nightmare.
Up-chucked a couple times then I finally took aim
I vomited a few times from nerves before finally taking aim with my weapon.
A man is chattin on his cell phone, I spattered his brain
I shot and killed a man who was talking on his cell phone.
A lovely couple started runnin, all the sudden she tripped
A couple started running, but the woman tripped and fell.
He kept right the fuck without her, like he never missed a step
The man kept running without looking back, as if he didn't even notice the woman had fallen.
I snapped one to his head, he fell dead to his knees
I shot the man in the head and he fell to his knees, dead.
Then his wife was right there to retrieve the car keys
The man's wife was there to pick up the car keys, despite just witnessing her husband's murder.
Not many notice at first, although some do start to scatter
Some people start to run away, but not everyone realizes what's happening at first.
Pluggin iron in they back, who they are it doesn't matter
I shoot people in the back indiscriminately, without caring who they are.
There's a psychopathic, way up in the tower somewhere
I'm the psychopathic person up in the tower, committing these violent acts.
And when they think they outta range [gunshot] poof they hair
I shoot people from the tower and when they think they're safe, I shoot them again, killing them.
[chorus]
The chorus repeats several times throughout the song.
I shot the lady in the ass and the kid on the grass
I shot a woman in the buttocks and a child who was on the grass.
And the daddy on the swing through the lens in his glasses
I shot a man who was swinging and wearing glasses.
First cop on the scene will be commended for his services
The first police officer on the scene will be praised for their heroic services.
For now he holds his throat and scream "I didn't deserve this"
The officer holds his throat and screams in pain, exclaiming that he didn't deserve to be shot.
The tower too high, I'm bringin shot from above
The tower is too high and I'm being shot at from below by law enforcement officers.
'cause my head's a battle royale of serpents, snails, and bugs
I'm mentally unstable and my mind is filled with chaotic and disturbing thoughts.
I'm quadarpolar, though my snipers scope I see the enemy
I have a severe mental illness which affects my mood and perception, but I can still see and aim at my enemies through my sniper's scope.
The world ain't never been my friend and never pretended to be
I have a deep-seated mistrust of the world and don't believe it has ever been on my side.
I fought in two wars, my country left me poor and sick
I served in two wars, but my country didn't take care of me and I now suffer from poverty and illness.
Leg missin, agent orange and an un-useable dick
I lost a leg, was exposed to Agent Orange, and have erectile dysfunction.
So as I reload, my trigger finger's frozen cold
As I reload my weapon, my finger is so cold and stiff that it's hard to pull the trigger.
From squeezing so hard my reason is no control
I'm squeezing the trigger so hard that I'm losing control of my own thoughts and actions.
Warped soul, look at that, pap-pap-krack
I have a twisted and disturbed soul, and I continue to shoot and kill people.
Three frat college boys flat, dead on they back
I kill three young men who were in a fraternity, causing them to fall dead on their backs.
And they lady tryin to hide behind the dead fat guy
A woman tries to hide behind a dead, overweight man to avoid being shot.
Just got one plucked in her eye
I shoot the woman in the eye and kill her, despite her attempt to hide.
[chorus]
The chorus repeats several times throughout the song.
I'm finally at war again, only I ain't takin orders
I feel like I'm at war again, but this time I'm not following orders from anyone else.
200 yards below, I'm taggin targets, small as quarters
I'm shooting at targets 200 yards below me, as small as a quarter in size.
Marksman, sniper, military precision
I have precise aim and military-level marksmanship skills.
Spotlight on the tower, tryna nullify my vision
A spotlight is shone on the tower in an attempt to make it hard for me to see or aim at anything.
My eyeballs keep rollin in the back of my head
My eyes are rolling back into my head, possibly due to exhaustion or mental instability.
Practicing for any minute when I'm actually dead
I'm constantly practicing for when I might be killed.
They put the tape up, these people think they outta my view
Police have set up a barrier with police tape, thinking that people are out of my range of vision.
But still, I'm steady pluggin sleepin pills off into them too
I continue to shoot and kill people, even those who are sleeping or otherwise defenseless.
I see in strobe light vision and I'm way beyond a panic
I see things in a strobe light kind of vision and I'm completely beyond panicked or rational thought.
My only skill is murder and I'm stuck on automatic
My only talent seems to be killing people, and I'm acting on automatic pilot without thinking about it.
Sweatin profusely, bleedin outta my ears
I'm sweating heavily and bleeding from my ears, possibly due to the heat or mental breakdown.
Their shots are missing by fragments, bullets shavin my hairs
Police are shooting back at me, but their bullets are only barely missing me and shaving my hair.
And yet my aim is remarkable, I'm peggin these duck
Despite the chaos and commotion around me, my aim is still incredibly accurate and I'm hitting my targets.
One by one, jumpin out of those SWAT team trucks
I'm killing SWAT team members as they jump out of their trucks and try to make their way to the tower.
I see the major activity, I'm caughing a chao
I notice a lot of activity happening around me, despite the chaos and danger that I'm experiencing as well.
Mad... my life went out with a flash
I'm going insane and I know that my life is about to end in a sudden, violent flash.
[chorus]
The chorus repeats several times throughout the song.
And it was hot that day, so fuckin hot
The heat of the day is a recurring theme throughout the song.
It shouldn't get that hot, humid and hot
The artist questions why it's so hot and humid, indicating that they may be using it as a justification for their violent actions.
Beatin down on us, so fuckin hot
The oppressive heat feels like it's beating down on the people.
Too fuckin hot that day, just too fuckin hot
The heat is too intense and makes everything more unbearable.
How can it get that hot, how can it be that hot?
The artist continues to question why it's so hot and how it could possibly reach such high temperatures.
Too hot, too hot, too hot, it was just too fuckin hot
The heat is a constant presence and theme throughout the song, and eventually becomes overwhelming and unbearable for everyone involved.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mandarkmega
I used to dismiss ICP as just another lame rap group because of my own ignorance but actually listening to them has changed my mind 100%. These guys are entertainers and very talented musicians. Anyone hating please get look past your own personal biases and see them as they are and respect them and the fans despite how you personally feel about this group or any group. Life is far too short for hate and close mindedness.
@cikwlf4086
Francisco Gutierrez whoop whoop, thanks for understanding
@suebaez6175
Frs thank for understanding
@truesoulghost2777
Francisco Gutierrez thank you.
@billyswank6043
Right
@billyswank6043
WHOOP WHOOP
@legalam
This song has so much raw emotion and ambiance in it. An underrated classic of the hip hop genre
@EdinAmmar
legalam nothing icp has done is considered a "classic" in hip hop. First off icp has weak lyrics that are redundant and childish. Second, all icp are is about gimmicks. They have no real talent to fall back on, just more gimmicks. Yet, idiots like yourself don't realize you're getting made fun of.
@ThesonofBelial
edin a you sound like youve never heard any of their old songs, seems like youre the idiot just talking shit fuck off
@mikeyo9586
edin a and yet here you are on the video commenting