Death Of A Clown
The Kinks/Dave Davies Lyrics
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I'm drowning my sorrows in whiskey and gin
The lion-tamer's whip doesn't crack anymore
The lions they won't fight and the tigers won't roar
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
So let's all drink to the death of a clown
Won't someone help me to break up this crown?
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
The old fortune teller lies dead on the floor
Nobody needs fortunes told anymore
The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees
And frantically looking for runaway fleas
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
So won't someone help me to break up this crown?
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...
The Kinks’ “Death of a Clown” is a poignant and melancholic song about the fall of a once-beloved performer in the eyes of the public. The song is a commentary on the nature of fame and how it is fleeting, especially in the entertainment industry. The lyrics paint a picture of a sad and lonely clown, drowning his sorrows in alcohol as he watches his former glory fade away. The cracking makeup around his chin is a metaphor for his deteriorating facade, and the absence of the lions and tigers he once tamed represents how his act has lost its luster.
The verses also introduce other characters from the circus world who are facing similar fates. The fortune teller who used to give people hope and direction now lies dead on the floor, and the trainer of insects is struggling to hold on to his act as his fleas run away. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of “Let’s all drink to the death of a clown,” is a bittersweet call to mourn the loss of what was once great and to let go of the past.
Overall, “Death of a Clown” is a song about the fragility of fame and how quickly it can disappear. It is a haunting reminder that what goes up must come down, and that even the most beloved performers can be forgotten with time.
Line by Line Meaning
My makeup is dry and it cracks round my chin
I am sad and feeling down. The makeup I put on to mask my emotions is no longer effective and is showing my true feelings.
I'm drowning my sorrows in whiskey and gin
I am trying to cope with my problems and sadness by drinking alcohol excessively.
The lion-tamer's whip doesn't crack anymore
The things that used to excite me and give me a sense of purpose no longer do so.
The lions they won't fight and the tigers won't roar
Even the things that used to be intimidating to me are now unimpressive and no longer garner a response from me.
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
Let's take solace in the fact that someone else is worse off than us and celebrate their misfortune instead of focusing on our own problems.
Won't someone help me to break up this crown?
I am feeling overwhelmed and powerless, and I need someone to come to my aid and lift me out of this difficult situation.
The old fortune teller lies dead on the floor
Even people who were once revered and respected (like the fortune teller) are now irrelevant and forgotten.
Nobody needs fortunes told anymore
People no longer place value in prophesies or predictions, preferring to focus only on the present.
The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees
Those who once held high positions now find themselves reduced to menial jobs.
And frantically looking for runaway fleas
Even mundane tasks have become difficult and stressful for those who have fallen from grace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Davies, Raymond Douglas Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankschilde4074
Ein sehr schönes Lied von Dave - die Stimme begeistert. Da werden Erinnerungen wach ...
@josephbarker5883
How many of you Silver Surfers remember this tribute to Stan Laurel? Great song! Remember listening to this in 1966, driving around 18 years old, in my Ford Consul with my pals. Great times!
@RDDHopsing77
Thanks Joe for letting me know that "Death Of A Clown" was a tribute to Stan Laurel who died in 1965. I have every Kinks album and many rare songs. Laurel and Hardy are one of the great comedians / comedic duos of all time. To me the best.
As Stan said before he died.
"If any of you cry at my funeral
I'll never talk to you again." (PS..... I was..... The Phantom. The Ghost who walks.)
@oliverfels7771
A very underrated Band with lots of Hits and great, timeless Songs 🙌🏻
@ItsNotRealLife
Underrated?
They were/are a very successful British band
@Muziekgenot
The Kinks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
@debbylou5729
They had a lot of hits for being underrated. Queen didn't get half the attention before live aid. I know lots of people that hadn't heard of them until then
@user-uu7yx8xn4l
んよすそ
@markplatts8410
defiantly not underrated there
the kinks
@nirban5960
There was a time when this song was everything to me. After overcoming that phase I believed that my life won't take me to that place again. But, now I have understood that this phase is never-ending and this comes in a loop with different features every time. But, this song is just a gem to me. Cheers, to life.