A Journey Through Absurdity – Stuff That Interests Me

In the vast landscape of 1980s pop culture, Crispin Glover stands out as an enigmatic figure. Best known for his portrayal of George McFly in Back to the Future, Glover was never content to be just another Hollywood actor. His career choices have always reflected a deep penchant for eccentricity, whether through his unconventional acting roles, peculiar interviews, or ventures into music. Among his most infamous creative projects is the 1989 song “Clowny Clown Clown,” a surreal exploration of sound, visuals, and storytelling that remains as baffling as it is unforgettable.

This article dives into the bizarre depths of “Clowny Clown Clown,” examining its lyrics, music video, and cultural impact. Equal parts performance art and absurdist humor, the song offers a rare glimpse into the labyrinthine mind of Crispin Glover—a place where traditional logic is left at the door.

The Origin of “Clowny Clown Clown”

“Clowny Clown Clown” was released as part of Glover’s debut album The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be. The album itself is an experimental work blending spoken word, music, and unsettling soundscapes, reflecting Glover’s interest in pushing creative boundaries.

The song serves as a centerpiece of the album, capturing the strange tone that permeates the entire project. It’s difficult to pin down its genre—part narrative, part musical theater, part absurdist comedy—but that’s precisely what makes it so compelling. Glover’s approach to the song, as with much of his art, was not about adhering to conventions but about challenging them.

The Lyrics: A Study in Absurdity

The lyrics of “Clowny Clown Clown” are deceptively simple yet deeply unsettling. They tell a fragmented story about a man named “Clowny Clown Clown” and the narrator’s interactions with him. Delivered in Glover’s disaffected, monotone voice, the narrative unfolds like a fever dream:

“I was walking on the ground
I saw a clown clown clown
He was round round round
And he had a frown frown frown.”

At first glance, the lyrics seem nonsensical, resembling a child’s rhyme. However, the repetition and simplicity create an unnerving rhythm that makes the listener feel off-balance. As the song progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly surreal. Clowny is described in contradictory ways—happy yet sad, amusing yet menacing—until his sudden death is announced without warning or emotional weight:

“Then the clown jumped in the air
And he died, what a bummer.”

The abruptness of this shift feels jarring, almost intentionally designed to make the audience uncomfortable. The lyrics seem to revel in their lack of meaning, functioning more as a vessel for mood and atmosphere than a coherent story.

The Music: A Chaotic Backdrop

Musically, “Clowny Clown Clown” is as bizarre as its lyrics. The instrumentation features an off-kilter mix of carnival sounds, ominous basslines, and erratic percussion. The juxtaposition of lighthearted, playful melodies with darker, more sinister undertones creates an auditory dissonance that mirrors the contradictions in the song’s narrative.

Glover’s vocal delivery is equally strange. He alternates between speaking, singing, and a kind of half-shouted monotone, imbuing the song with an unsettling energy. His voice never quite matches the musical backing, further emphasizing the song’s chaotic, disjointed nature.

This deliberate lack of harmony between elements makes “Clowny Clown Clown” feel like an auditory collage—each piece is strange on its own, but together they create something uniquely unsettling.

The Music Video: A Surreal Visual Feast

If the song itself is a head-scratcher, the music video takes things to another level entirely. Directed by Glover, the video is a chaotic blend of surreal imagery, bizarre costuming, and inexplicable actions that feel more like a Dadaist art project than a conventional music video.

Key Visual Elements:

Clowns Galore: Unsurprisingly, clowns feature prominently in the video. However, these aren’t your typical circus clowns; they’re grotesque, exaggerated figures with unsettling smiles and jerky movements.
Glover’s Performance: Dressed in an array of costumes, including a sparkly jacket and oversized glasses, Glover delivers his lines with exaggerated facial expressions and bizarre body language. His performance feels deliberately awkward, as if he’s intentionally trying to unsettle the viewer.
Random Objects: The video is filled with nonsensical props—telephones, oversized toys, and abstract sculptures—all presented without explanation.
Dreamlike Atmosphere: The entire video feels like a fever dream, with its low-budget aesthetic and abrupt scene changes enhancing the sense of unreality.

The music video doesn’t attempt to clarify the song’s meaning; instead, it amplifies its absurdity. Watching it feels like being invited into Crispin Glover’s subconscious—a place where clowns dance alongside existential dread.

Cultural and Artistic Context

To understand “Clowny Clown Clown,” it’s essential to place it within the broader context of Crispin Glover’s career and artistic philosophy. Glover has always been drawn to the unconventional, often prioritizing artistic expression over mainstream appeal. Whether publishing his avant-garde books or delivering intentionally awkward interviews on late-night television, he thrives on challenging expectations.

The song and video for “Clowny Clown Clown” exemplify Glover’s interest in exploring the absurd. They reject traditional narrative structures and embrace the chaotic, leaving interpretation entirely up to the audience. In doing so, Glover aligns himself with artistic movements like Surrealism and Dadaism, which sought to disrupt conventional forms and question the nature of art itself.

The Reception

When “Clowny Clown Clown” was released, it was met with a mix of confusion, amusement, and disdain. Critics and listeners alike struggled to determine whether the song was a genuine artistic statement or a calculated joke. Some dismissed it as a vanity project, while others praised its originality and willingness to defy convention.

Over time, the song has gained a cult following, with fans appreciating it as a piece of performance art rather than a traditional song. It has been referenced in countless articles, YouTube retrospectives, and podcasts as an example of Glover’s unique approach to creativity.

The Legacy of “Clowny Clown Clown”

More than three decades after its release, “Clowny Clown Clown” remains a fascinating artifact of late-80s pop culture. It stands as a testament to Crispin Glover’s refusal to conform, showcasing his commitment to exploring the weird and unexpected.

For some, the song is a source of ironic enjoyment—a so-bad-it’s-good gem that exemplifies 1980s excess. For others, it’s a genuinely intriguing work of art that challenges the boundaries of music and storytelling. Regardless of interpretation, “Clowny Clown Clown” is undeniably memorable, carving out its own peculiar niche in the annals of pop culture.

Conclusion

“Clowny Clown Clown” is not just a song; it’s an experience. Through its absurd lyrics, chaotic music, and surreal visuals, it defies easy categorization, existing in a space that’s equal parts comedy, performance art, and existential nightmare. Crispin Glover’s willingness to embrace the bizarre has ensured that the song remains a talking point decades later, a reminder that sometimes, the strangest art is the most enduring.

So whether you see it as a masterpiece of weirdness or a baffling misstep, one thing is certain: “Clowny Clown Clown” is a journey you won’t soon forget.