☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about the dark and violent sides of a circus show.
- It tells the story of an unfortunate circus director who is injured by the animals and the lion tamer.
- It refers to the murder of a clown named Coco and describes the brutality of the crime.
- The lyrics criticize the abuse of animals in the circus and the way they are treated.
- It also mentions the problems and prejudices towards gypsies and other outsiders.
Interpretation
"They Murdered the Clown" by
Graham Parker is about the dark and violent sides of a circus show. The lyrics describe how the circus director is unhappy and wants to leave town. He is injured by the lions and tigers, but the lion tamer's whip hurts even more. The Giovanni Sisters perform, but someone has made holes in the safety net. The Ritzo Brothers have canceled their act, but nobody missed them because their show didn't have much to offer.
After the show, a clown named Coco is attacked and murdered. His red smile is literally cut off his face. The lyrics lament that the world hasn't become funnier because of it. The elephants are heavily burdened and the children abuse them. A rhino is slaughtered for its horn so a sheikh can have fun all night. Coco is described as someone who inappropriately touches children when he's drunk. It is said that the circus is rather a place one should run away from.
The lines "You should see the fear on the dancing bears' faces / Take off their muzzles and check out the view" describe the fear and suffering of the animals in the circus. It is also mentioned that the Gypsy boys are colorful characters, but nobody wants them as neighbors.
At the end of the lyrics, the ringmaster is described as looking desperate and ultimately kills himself by stabbing a knife with his initials into himself. It is also hinted that Coco had a relationship with a woman named Barba, who liked him because of his laughter.
The song lyrics of "They Murdered the Clown" address the dark side of circus life and criticize the violence and abuse that often occur behind the scenes. It calls for recognizing and changing these injustices.