Circus
Uriah Heep Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Walkin' around this concrete garden
Viewing all in vain
Thinking why a dream
Is driving everyone insane

Then something will come
And make you feel
The master in control
Still you're picking up
And screwing anyone
Who's got a soul

I've been here
Far too long to remember
Sights and sounds
From this town of clowns
Makin' up, dressin' up
Walkin' around
Thinkin' that you're Greta Garbos

I'm sorry my dears
But we only sat down
And laughed and laughed in sorrow
But it was you
That opened the door
And it's that we thank you for





Everyone insane
Everyone's insane

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Uriah Heep's "Circus" speak to the struggle of individuals in a world that often feels like a concrete garden, devoid of real connection or purpose. The singer observes the fleeting nature of some people's dreams, while others seem to find power and control - even at the expense of those who still have their souls intact. In a place where everyone seems to be walking around like clowns, the singer laments feeling stuck and unable to recall any positive memories from this town. The irony is that this circus of a world isn't just driving people insane - it's actually making them that way.


The second stanza is particularly poignant in its critique of society and its willingness to put on airs or pretend to be someone they're not. The singer points out that even those who think they're the next best thing, like Greta Garbos, are merely walking around and dressing up without any real substance to back it up. The use of the phrase "laughed and laughed in sorrow" further underscores the façade that people often put on to try to cover up their true emotions. In the end, the singer seems resigned to the fact that everyone is insane, and there's nothing that can be done to change it.


Line by Line Meaning

Walkin' around this concrete garden
Roaming aimlessly in this lifeless and mundane urban landscape


Viewing all in vain
Observing everything around, but finding no meaning or purpose


Thinking why a dream
Wondering why people cling onto unrealistic hopes and aspirations


Is driving everyone insane
Realizing that clinging onto such dreams can lead to collective madness


Then something will come
But sometimes, a glimmer of hope appears


And make you feel
And it can make you feel like


The master in control
Being in charge, with everything under your command


Still you're picking up
But even so, you find yourself, despite taking control,


And screwing anyone
Harming anyone


Who's got a soul
Who has a good conscience and sense of morality


I've been here
Being in this state of mind


Far too long to remember
For a duration that seems like forever


Sights and sounds
Experiences and sensations


From this town of clowns
From this place full of insincere and superficial people


Makin' up, dressin' up
Faking and pretending to be something you're not


Walkin' around
Moving around pointlessly


Thinkin' that you're Greta Garbos
Thinking that you're a glamorous and important figure like Greta Garbo


I'm sorry my dears
I'm sorry that it has to be this way


But we only sat down
But we only sat down and talked


And laughed and laughed in sorrow
And laughed bitterly, feeling helpless in this absurd world


But it was you
But it was you, the listener


That opened the door
Who provided the opportunity


And it's that we thank you for
And that's what we're grateful for


Everyone insane
Realizing that everyone is struggling to cope with this life and its absurdities




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICK BOX, LEE KERSLAKE, GARY THAIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@user-js6el7vn2r

ЦИРК

Когда заросшим садом я брожу
И наблюдаю это буйство,
Все размышляю – не сны ли правят нашим безрассудством?

Ведь Некто есть, кто управляет чувством,
Какой то Спец из Руководства,
Пока ты собираешься, врубаешься, пока
Душа твоя проснется.

От тех воспоминаний я тоже удален –
От тех видений и звучаний табора шутов.

Так соберись, так приоденься, пройдись или
Представь, что ты, как Грета Гарбо.
Я сожалею, дорогая, нас жизнью приземлили,
Но мы хохочем и смеемся в скорби.
Но так случилось – ты открыла дверь и
Благодарны мы за это нашей вере.

Когда заросшим садом я брожу
И наблюдаю это буйство,
Все размышляю – не сны ли правят нашим безрассудством…
Нашим безрассудством…
Нашим безрассудством…
Нашим безрассудством…



All comments from YouTube:

@dejandobrivojevic1879

Uhhh,beautful years with Uriah...the youth has gone,but flame of eternal love never ends!!!!!!!!!!!

@edellis515

WHAT A SONG. WHAT A VOICE

@edellis515

I cry from the beauty 😢

@EIYH58

Box, Byron, Hensley, Kerslake and Thain the best line up !

@violet_smiles51230

Beautiful song! Thanks for sharing 🙂

@michaelromani2348

My favorite song from Uriah Heep. Maybe within the top 10 of top influences for my poetry and music. 🙂

@calvinmatthews8349

One of my favorites by the Heep.

@edellis515

His voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@gusmore26

Such a classy and beautiful song. I so much enjoyed Uriah Heep throughout my life - especially growing up during the '70's playing classical percussion in school band and folk, blues, and rock after school. Their vocals are unique, and so too their progressive rock music. Thank you, Uriah Heep.

@VitaliyTanki

U.H.not prog rock)

More Comments

More Versions