I think this song is about an individual who has confidence issues with himself, but plays (the clown) as a smoke screen (getting drunk/drugs etc.) when he's with his friends/associates to mask the real issue's that he is just as insecure if not more insecure than the rest of us, but when doing these things, he inadvertently, ends us saying and doing things that he really doesn't want or mean to do (too late always to wash your face and hands), hence the intro, Why must I always play the clown?
I think this song is about an individual who has confidence issues with himself, but plays (the clown) as a smoke screen (getting drunk/drugs etc.) when he's with his friends/associates to mask the real issue's that he is just as insecure if not more insecure than the rest of us, but when doing these things, he inadvertently, ends us saying and doing things that he really doesn't want or mean to do (too late always to wash your face and hands), hence the intro, Why must I always play the clown?