I’ll have time for please/
I’ll have time for thank you/
As soon as I win.

Emilie Sande’s “Clown” is about the struggles of putting yourself out there for the world to see–and the disillusionment that comes with getting less than ideal reviews. In Sande’s case, the song tells the story of an entertainer who has to perform the same show every night and does not have much financial success to show for it.

Part of the job of a clown is to smile and make other’s happy, Sande points out that it is hard to do that when she sees nothing from all her hustle. While not many can relate to the struggles of the music industry, I think a lot of people can relate to the struggle of performing for your boss at your job and not receiving the acclaim you feel you deserve.

Musically Sande’s “Clown” is pretty amazing. The verse and chorus are both memorable and that is a hard thing to achieve. The lyrics are really good. I wonder if this song was a risk…complaining about how hard it is to be a rock star might alienate some people. I don’t know the timeline of the release of this song.

Was Sande a struggling artist or a superstar when this was released? That would make a big difference in the reception. If there is one critique of this song I have, I wish she would turn down the vocal runs ten percent.  Many female singers in the past twenty years or so are guilty of this.

Clown Lyrics

I guess it’s funnier from where you’re standing.
‘Cause from over here I miss the joke;
Clear the way for my crash landing,
I’ve done it again
Another number for your notes.

I’d be smiling if I wasn’t so desperate.
I’d be patient if I had the time;
I could stop and answer all of your questions.
As soon as I find out
How I can move from the back of the line.

I’ll be your clown
Behind the glass,
Go ‘head and laugh-
‘Cause it’s funny,
I would too if I saw me.
I’ll be your clown
On your favorite channel,
My life’s a circus, circus.
Round in circle
I’m selling out tonight.

I’d be less angry if it was my decision.
And the money was just rolling in;
If I had more than my ambition,
I’ll have time for please
I’ll have time for thank you,
As soon as I win.

I’ll be your clown
Behind the glass,
Go ‘head and laugh-
‘Cause it’s funny,
I would too if I saw me.
I’ll be your clown
On your favorite channel,
My life’s a circus, circus,
Round in circus,
I’m selling out tonight.

From a distance my choice is simple.
From a distance I can entertain;
So you can see me
I put makeup on my face.
But there’s no way you can feel it
From so far away.

I’ll be your clown
Behind the glass,
Go ‘head and laugh-
‘Cause it’s funny,
I would too if I saw me.
I’ll be your clown
On your favorite channel,
My life’s a circus, circus,
Round in circles,
I’m selling out tonight.

Songwriters: Shahid Khan / Grant Mitchell / Emeli Sande / Emile Sande