Their debut album, The Dust of Retreat came out in 2006. At this time, the band was signed to Artemis Records and had 8 members. In 2008 the band signed to Epic Records and (on 7 October) released two new albums, Animal! and Not Animal. The band originally planned to just release "Animal!". However, Epic disagreed on their song choice, and compiled a different list, which would later become "Not Animal". Eventually, after dispute over which version would be released, it was decided to release both at the same time.
In August 2009, 5 of the band's members left. They are all involved in other projects, most notably Pravada.
While the band, and Richard specifically have given many explanations to the band's name; this is all in fun. As the name was created as an anti-name; not meant to have any real meaning, just to make fun of other ridiculous names. The name "Margot" comes from Gweneth Paltrow's character in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
The band's sound, categorized as "chamber pop", has been compared to the indie rock groups Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and The Shins, while incorporating elements of singer/songwriters like Paul Simon and Conor Oberst.
Current Members are:
Richard Edwards - lead vocals, guitar, bells, melodica, banjo
Ronnie Kwasman - lead guitar
Tyler Watkins - bass guitar
Brian Deck - drums
Eric Kang - guitar
Cameron McGill
Former Members include:
Emily Watkins - keys, backup vocals
Andy Fry - guitar, bass, lap steel, percussion
Jesse Lee - cello
Casey Tennis - percussion
Chris Fry - drums, percussion
Dress Me Like A Clown
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am alive
and that is the best that i can do
you told me you lied
you swore you were mine
i took you back a thousand times
you've been around
if he is the man you want then go
but tonight we'll leave
all our lovers behind
and try to live a quiet life
my love has dressed me like a clown
you are an ass
a snake in the grass
vanity seeps from out your pores
and baby it's time
to pay for my crime
nothing i say can make you mine
you either sing it in key
or run into me
i can fake it as good as you
but tonight we'll leave
all our stupid songs
we'll drive and reach the hills by dawn
my love has dressed me like a clown
tonight we'll leave
all our lovers behind
and try to live a quiet life
margot, you dress me like a clown
tonight we'll drink
into an early grave
we'll laugh, but we will never be saved
someone has dressed us all like clowns
darling it's sin
where do i begin?
putting the contact lenses in
you say the lights
scurry like mice
reflecting the streets in your blue eyes
out on the roof
waiting for love
turn me around and lock me up
baby you are an ass
a snake in the grass
vanity oozes out your pores
Oooh, ooooh
Oooh, ooooh
The song "Dress Me Like A Clown" by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's is a hauntingly beautiful tune that tells the story of a love that has gone wrong. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation, betrayal, and longing. The singer is alive, but that seems to be the best that they can do. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, expressing the sadness and resignation that the singer feels. They have been lied to and betrayed by someone they loved, yet they continue to hold on.
The song talks about leaving all the lovers behind and trying to live a quiet life. The singer's love has dressed them like a clown, perhaps indicating that they feel foolish for loving someone who has hurt them so deeply. Nevertheless, they are willing to let go of their past and start anew. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is emotionally exhausted but still hopeful that they can find happiness.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, with the repeated lines "my love has dressed me like a clown" and "Margot, you dress me like a clown." This could be interpreted in different ways but seems to suggest that the singer feels like a fool for falling in love with someone who has hurt them. The use of both first and third-person pronouns in the chorus adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the song, making it open to interpretation.
Overall, "Dress Me Like A Clown" is a moving and powerful song that captures the pain and vulnerability of falling in love. The lyrics are full of emotion, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful. The song is an excellent example of Margot & the Nuclear So and So's ability to write incredibly moving and deeply personal songs.
Line by Line Meaning
I am alive
I am currently living and breathing
I am alive
I am currently living and breathing
and that is the best that I can do
I am doing my best to simply stay alive
you told me you lied
You admitted to lying to me
you swore you were mine
You promised to be mine
i took you back a thousand times
I forgave you and took you back many times
talk of the town
People are talking about you
you've been around
You've been with many people
if he is the man you want then go
If you want someone else, then leave me for them
but tonight we'll leave
We will go away somewhere
all our lovers behind
We will leave behind all of our romantic partners
and try to live a quiet life
We will attempt to live peacefully and without trouble
my love has dressed me like a clown
My partner has made me look foolish and ridiculous
you are an ass
You are a foolish and unpleasant person
a snake in the grass
You are deceptive and untrustworthy
vanity seeps from out your pores
Your arrogance and self-importance are obvious
and baby it's time
It's time for me to move on from you
to pay for my crime
To face the consequences of my mistakes
nothing I say can make you mine
No matter what I say, I cannot make you love me
you either sing it in key
You have to do something perfectly to be accepted
or run into me
Or you will collide with me
i can fake it as good as you
I am capable of pretending just like you
but tonight we'll leave
We will go away somewhere
all our stupid songs
We will leave behind all of our silly or foolish creations
we'll drive and reach the hills by dawn
We will drive until we arrive at the hills by sunrise
my love has dressed me like a clown
My partner has made me look foolish and ridiculous
tonight we'll leave
We will go away somewhere
all our lovers behind
We will leave behind all of our romantic partners
and try to live a quiet life
We will attempt to live peacefully and without trouble
margot, you dress me like a clown
Addressing Margot, my partner dresses me like a clown
tonight we'll drink
We will consume alcohol tonight
into an early grave
We will likely hasten our own deaths with our drinking
we'll laugh, but we will never be saved
We may find joy in our actions, but we will never be redeemed or saved from our mistakes
someone has dressed us all like clowns
Someone, or something, has made us all look foolish and ridiculous
darling it's sin
Addressing my partner, what we are doing is wrong
where do I begin?
I don't know where to start
putting the contact lenses in
Putting on cosmetic lenses to change one's appearance
you say the lights scurry like mice
You describe the movement of the lights like mice running
reflecting the streets in your blue eyes
The blue of your eyes reflect the surrounding streets
out on the roof
We are outside on a roof
waiting for love
We are waiting for some kind of love or validation
turn me around and lock me up
Do something to me to force me to change or stay still
baby you are an ass
Addressing my partner, you are acting foolish and unpleasant
a snake in the grass
You are deceptive and untrustworthy
vanity oozes out your pores
Your arrogance and self-importance are obvious
Oooh, ooooh
Vocal sounds for effect, rather than conveying a specific meaning
Oooh, ooooh
Vocal sounds for effect, rather than conveying a specific meaning
Contributed by Elijah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.