The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
(With Peter Polycarpou and Chorus)
VERSE
I'll remember forever,
When I was but three,
Mama, who was clever.
Remarking to me….
If son when you're grown up
You want ev'rything nice
I've got your future sewn up
If you take this advice…
REFRAIN 1
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Act the fool play the calf
And you'll always have the last laugh
Wear the cap and the bells
And you'll rate with all the best swells
If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread
If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead
You'll get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
REFRAIN 2
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Be a crazy buffoon
And the demoiselles'll all swoon
Dress in huge baggy pants
And you'll ride the road to romance
A butcher or a baker ladies never embrace
A barber or a beau would be a social disgrace
They all'll come to call if you can fall on your face
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
REFRAIN 3
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Show ‘em tricks tell ‘em jokes
And you'll only stop with top folks
Be a crack jackanapes
And they'll imitate you like apes
Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears?
Why be a major poet and you'll owe it for years?
When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
REFRAIN 4
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
If you just make ‘em roar
Watch your mountebank soar
Wear a painted moustache
And you're sure to make a big splash
A college education I should never propose
A bachelor's degree won't even keep you in clo'es
But millions you will win if you can spin on your nose
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
REFRAIN 5
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Be the poor silly ass
And you'll always travel first class
Give ‘em quips, give ‘em fun
And they'll apy and say you're A1
If you become a farmer you've the weather to buck
If you become a gambler you'll be stuck with your luck
But Jack you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck
(Quack, quack, quack, quack)
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
VERSE
I'll remember forever,
When I was but three,
Mama, who was clever.
Remarking to me….
If son when you're grown up
You want ev'rything nice
I've got your future sewn up
If you take this advice…
REFRAIN 1
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Act the fool play the calf
And you'll always have the last laugh
Wear the cap and the bells
And you'll rate with all the best swells
If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread
If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead
You'll get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
REFRAIN 2
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Be a crazy buffoon
And the demoiselles'll all swoon
Dress in huge baggy pants
And you'll ride the road to romance
A butcher or a baker ladies never embrace
A barber or a beau would be a social disgrace
They all'll come to call if you can fall on your face
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
REFRAIN 3
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Show ‘em tricks tell ‘em jokes
And you'll only stop with top folks
Be a crack jackanapes
And they'll imitate you like apes
Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears?
Why be a major poet and you'll owe it for years?
When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
REFRAIN 4
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
If you just make ‘em roar
Watch your mountebank soar
Wear a painted moustache
And you're sure to make a big splash
A college education I should never propose
A bachelor's degree won't even keep you in clo'es
But millions you will win if you can spin on your nose
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
REFRAIN 5
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Be the poor silly ass
And you'll always travel first class
Give ‘em quips, give ‘em fun
And they'll apy and say you're A1
If you become a farmer you've the weather to buck
If you become a gambler you'll be stuck with your luck
But Jack you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck
(Quack, quack, quack, quack)
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Be a Clown Lyrics as written by Cole Porter
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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