This is what the song is about- and it comes from the liner notes of RIGHT DOWN THE LINE- the Best of Gerry Rafferty cd. The song is referring to people in the record biz- management people and executives of record labels- they are the clowns and jokers referred to in the lyrics. If you know about Gerry Rafferty you know he has had major issues with the record biz all his life. The band (Stealers Wheel) was signed to their label and attended a signing party at a fancy London restaurant. Rafferty described the scene as like "the Last Supper", with everyone sitting around a long table. The song is about the weasels in the record industry, the guys (band) getting drunk, and trying to get out of the entire thing- which they detested. That is the gist of what the song is about.
This is what the song is about- and it comes from the liner notes of RIGHT DOWN THE LINE- the Best of Gerry Rafferty cd. The song is referring to people in the record biz- management people and executives of record labels- they are the clowns and jokers referred to in the lyrics. If you know about Gerry Rafferty you know he has had major issues with the record biz all his life. The band (Stealers Wheel) was signed to their label and attended a signing party at a fancy London restaurant. Rafferty described the scene as like "the Last Supper", with everyone sitting around a long table. The song is about the weasels in the record industry, the guys (band) getting drunk, and trying to get out of the entire thing- which they detested. That is the gist of what the song is about.
This is 100% the right. I have read it in interviews with Rafferty. Its a recurring theme in his music.
This is 100% the right. I have read it in interviews with Rafferty. Its a recurring theme in his music.