Clown
The Flock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across a blood red sky
Hear children's voices sing
Their song of suffering
Who's that clown
Bringing people down
Take a look and see
Thoughts painted by some freak
Some cat attempts to speak
Talking 'bout a new direction
Talking 'bout a love infection
See that clown
Spreading love around
Let him be
See people holding hands
Beginning to understand
That plan communication
Will end all complication
See that clown
Spreading love around
Let him be
The Flock's song "Clown" presents a powerful social commentary on the state of our society. The opening lyrics invite listeners to witness the chaos and destruction that permeates the land, as bullets fly across a blood red sky. The tone is ominous and suggests that something has gone terribly wrong. In the next verse, we hear children singing a song of suffering, underscoring the idea that it is the young and innocent who suffer most in times of turmoil.
The chorus introduces the titular clown, who is a figure of great significance in the song. This clown is a symbol of the forces that are bringing people down, contributing to the chaos and suffering that we see around us. In the second verse, we hear about a "freak" who is attempting to communicate new ideas, a reference to the social and political movements of the time that were challenging the status quo. The lyrics suggest that these movements are ultimately driven by a desire for love and connection, but that they are often misunderstood or misrepresented by those who fear change.
The final verse is perhaps the most hopeful, as we see people beginning to understand one another and holding hands to work towards a more harmonious future. The solution to the problems that afflict society is through clear and effective communication, rather than violence or fear. The clown, who was once seen as a symbol of chaos and destruction, is now a force for good, spreading love and hope throughout the land.
Line by Line Meaning
Come see the bullets fly
Witness the violence and chaos that is plaguing the world
Across a blood red sky
The war and destruction are visible in the ominous sky
Hear children's voices sing
In the midst of all the chaos, the children's innocence and hope still prevails
Their song of suffering
But even their songs are tinged with the pain and suffering they are experiencing
Who's that clown
The singer questions the identity of a figure who seems to be causing harm
Bringing people down
This figure is causing negative emotions and despair
Take a look and see
The singer urges others to pay attention to this destructive force
Thoughts painted by some freak
The ideas expressed by this harmful figure are abnormal and twisted
Some cat attempts to speak
The clown figure is trying to communicate their warped beliefs
Talking 'bout a new direction
The clown claims to offer a solution or alternative way of thinking
Talking 'bout a love infection
But this solution is actually toxic and damaging, infecting people with harmful ideas
See that clown
The singer still sees the clown causing harm
Spreading love around
Despite claiming to spread love, the clown's actions are actually causing harm
Let him be
The singer urges others to let go of this destructive force and move on
See people holding hands
The singer sees a positive change taking place as people begin to band together
Beginning to understand
People are starting to grasp the importance of communication and solidarity
That plan communication
Effective communication and understanding are key to ending conflicts and misunderstandings
Will end all complication
By working together and communicating effectively, people can resolve complex issues
Contributed by Aaliyah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
basil n brink
DivertAlert
The Flock enquire "Whose that Clown, bringing people down?" This brilliant band is almost thrown off kilter by a Clown. A Clown? The Flock may have been gifted with prescient knowledge of 'The Evil Clown' in Series 1 or 3, Episode 2 or 4 - I cannot remember - LA Law, decades later.
flippity
In that moment when Mister Clown himself experienced "bringing people down" when he fell long-nose-first into the prosecution's water jug. A photo of his miraculously uninjured nose in the water jug was entered into the court record EXHIBIT N.O.S.E. LONG. ACCUSED. MR C CLOWN
The Judge "Jury, I remind you of Lady Justitia, blindfolded, with the Scales of Justice in her hand and a Sword that 'cuts like a knife, but it feels so right' in my chambers. "The judgement is FINAL and SWIFT when scything through the air above the hair of guilty ones, twos threes . . . can't keep up."
Again from the Judge "Jury, in the light of the L-Awe inspiring Lady Justitia - court clerk, colon into the record please - let us not make a big issue of Mister Clown's ponderous protruding proboscis - "A long nose here, a much longer nose there, what do I care?" It behoves us to set aside the fct that Mr Cloud's nosiness puts Monsieur Cyrano de Bergerac to the Shame of Little Things.
repentant
spreading love around' they sing "Well, let him be."
Zapped by Men In Black: "Forget about it. We have."
with
unique
William St Louis
Fusion of rock, blues and jazz. Most innovative band in classic rock. The best. ☮️.
Fred Wilkins
This is the best musical group to ever come out of Chicago. With all the original band members now deceased, I thank you for keeping their music alive. Long live The Flock!
Stephen Zener
Have loved them and this album since I saw them perform a million years ago and had the pleasure of hanging with them. What a thrill for a young man just entering the world of fusion music and jazz. Clown is one of my favourite tunes of all times. SOOOO!!!!!?????
Richard Kochakian
Didn't realize they all passed on... Great Band!! Got into them back in 69 at age 16... Still love dusting off the music and enjoying the talent..?
Mark Hogan
I have loved this album since the day 40+ years ago when I first heard it.
G VG
feel the exact same way Mark :)
Andrew Mair
Mark Hogan - Ditto ☝️😁
LEGLANY
Actually, of this date, 2020, more than 50 years ago.
And I was in a band at the time that played this number -- AND "Store Bought Store Thought" on side 2.
No one else in Glasgow UK was doing stuff like this at the time.
This was at the Maryland jazz and blues venue. RSP Willie Cuthbertson.
Dave Bellasio
Me too ❤
Clown is my personal hymn, the instrumental section represents everything for me
Randy Barnett
50+ years.