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Clowns Lyrics

Only clowns would play with those balloons
What'd ya wanna look like Barbie for?
Dear oh lord it's easy
Roasting, roasting, roast indeed, mahagony,
Titties that live on on and on on and on

Only clowns would play with those balloons
What'd ya wanna look like Barbie for?
Passive when I'm in record day & night
I'm watching you
Song Info
Submitted by
riotprrl On Mar 14, 2008
12 Meanings

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Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

BOOBS. It's criticizing a girl who has breast implants and a melanoma-causing tan. But she's merely being polite. Her criticism could be much worse. And plus, she's watching her. So it's not like this girl is going unnoticed.

@mikeypaints OMG! I never looked alt that way but that could very well explain it. Good Perception.

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

I feel like there's more dimension than it just being a base level "criticism." I remember reading that Alison is often reluctant to talk about her age (she is 42) and I think this song illustrates some conflicts within herself.

I feel it's saying that while she believes that the idea of reconstructive surgery is in itself unnatural, the music industry has become so visually oriented, and she can't escape from that. After all, we don't criticize things that we are indifferent to. She is certainly a sex symbol of sorts; her music is glamorous and erotic, but as she is getting older, I think she's probably conflicted about maintaining the image she's built or wondering if there's any real integrity in that.

I think that the lyric, "Passive when I'm in record, Day and night I'm watching you," evidences her conflict in that she may pretend to be above the vanity, but also has a slight obsession with it. I really like the new direction she has taken with such an introspective album.

MikeyPaints and Crossword Smile posted great analyses. I was curious about the lyrics this morning because I honestly thought she was singing in a foreign language. Then the lyrics appeared meaningless, but clearly they are about artificial glamor and the "fake plastic girl." The "Passive when I'm in record day & night" is still a little confounding but CrosswordSmile, I believe, is going in the right direction.

By the bye, Crossword Smile is a reference to a lyric by The Cars, right?

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

I love this song. There's a great interview with Alison where the interviewer says 'Clowns sounds like adeep song. What's it all about?' and she just says 'Tits'.

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

my fave song of the new album♥

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

lol, mikey has it.

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

Love this song. I thought it would have a huge intense meaning with many lyrics but now looking apparently not so, still love it though, really cute with the vocal sounds and the little meaning.

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

the vocal sounds a bit childish, which makes it seem like it's told from a little sisters point of view. and even thou she thinks it's a bit stupid, she still looks up to her big sister.

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

I always thought it was 'Only clowns play with dumb balloons' not sure why.. Think that's what i'll continue to sing even if it's wrong! I do love the new direction though, the album is flawless..stunning!

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

prettiest goddam song of the year.

Cover art for Clowns lyrics by Goldfrapp

i agree with crosswordsmile's interpretation and i also like the introspective-ness of the album. the music seems more elemental to me. i am also hooked on the other song 'eat yourself'.

 
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