Greatest Show On Earth
Suggs Lyrics
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People what never leave
Some of them are funny, they'll spend all your money
My friend there'll be no reprieve
A night so cold and black, never coming back
Fell in the river, fell in the river
Well in a ball of flame one eyed jack fell down
Amongst that night in Chinatown
Machete wielding raiders
A night so cold and black, I'm never coming back
Fell in the river, fell in the river
Ladies and gentlemen, oh I'm so glad that you could come too
The greatest show on earth, yes it's a vicious cabaret
You've all got your part to play
The greatest show on earth, yes it's a lovely sunny day
You've all got your part to play
The lights go down on this lucky town
Yes, it's living for the city
The stars come out in the their twinkling lights
Hey this place almost looks pretty
A night so cold and black, never coming back
Fell in the river
Ladies and gentlemen
Oh, I'm so glad that you could come to
The greatest show on earth, it's a vicious cabaret
You've all got your part to play
The greatest show on earth, it's a lovely sunny day
You've all got your part to play
In "Greatest Show On Earth" by Suggs, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a dark and mysterious world filled with eccentric and peculiar characters. The opening lines describe the people in this place as having faces like fish, suggesting their strange and unforgettable appearance. These people seem to be trapped in this world, never leaving, which adds to the sense of confinement and the inability to escape.
The lyrics also highlight the comedic side of these characters, mentioning that some of them are funny but also warning that they will spend all your money. This implies that they may have a mischievous and deceitful nature. The line "My friend there'll be no reprieve" further emphasizes the idea that once you're in this world, there's no escape or forgiveness for any mistakes made.
The song takes a darker turn as it mentions someone falling into a river and references a "ball of flame" and a "one-eyed jack." These lines add an element of danger and chaos to the narrative. The mention of machete-wielding raiders in Chinatown further adds to the sense of lawlessness and unpredictability in this world. The repeated reference to falling in the river suggests a metaphorical journey or downfall, indicating that once you enter this world, you may be lost forever.
The chorus brings a change in tone, where the singer addresses the audience as "ladies and gentlemen" and expresses gratitude for their presence. It introduces the concept of the "greatest show on earth," which is portrayed as a vicious cabaret. This suggests that the world being depicted is a theatrical and lively spectacle, but with an underlying darkness and cruelty.
As the lights go down and the town is described as "lucky," there is a juxtaposition between the attractive facade and the reality of the place. The mention of the stars coming out and the place looking pretty further reinforces this contrast. This creates a sense of irony and deception, indicating that things may not always be as they seem.
Overall, the lyrics of "Greatest Show On Earth" present a surreal and immersive experience in a world filled with eccentric characters. It explores themes of confinement, deception, and the allure of a captivating but treacherous spectacle.
Line by Line Meaning
There's people in here with faces like fish
There are individuals in this place whose facial features resemble those of a fish
People what never leave
Individuals who never depart from this location
Some of them are funny, they'll spend all your money
Certain individuals possess a humorous nature, but they will exhaust your financial resources
My friend there'll be no reprieve
I regret to inform you that there will be no relief from this situation, my acquaintance
A night so cold and black, never coming back
An evening that is both frigid and devoid of light, from which there is no return
Fell in the river, fell in the river
Accidentally tumbled into the river, unintentionally submerged in its waters
Well in a ball of flame one eyed jack fell down
A maimed individual named Jack descended in a burst of fire
Beside the space invaders
Adjacent to the extraterrestrial invaders
Amongst that night in Chinatown
Amidst that particular evening in the Chinese district of the city
Machete wielding raiders
Invaders equipped with machetes
The lights go down on this lucky town
The illumination diminishes in this fortunate town
Yes, it's living for the city
Indeed, this town thrives in its urban environment
The stars come out in their twinkling lights
The celestial bodies become visible with their shimmering illumination
Hey, this place almost looks pretty
Hey, this location appears nearly attractive
Ladies and gentlemen, oh I'm so glad that you could come too
Ladies and gentlemen, I am truly pleased that you could also attend
The greatest show on earth, yes it's a vicious cabaret
This extraordinary spectacle, indeed, it is a brutal theatrical performance
You've all got your part to play
Each and every one of you has a role to fulfill
The greatest show on earth, yes it's a lovely sunny day
This outstanding exhibition, yes, it occurs on a delightful day with abundant sunshine
You've all got your part to play
Each and every one of you has a role to fulfill
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GRAHAM MCPHERSON, STEVE LIRONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind