Death of a Clown
The Kinks Lyrics

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.