Meaning and Lyrics of Bow Down to the Clowns by Onslaught
Song Lyrics meaning of Bow Down to the Clowns by Onslaught
About Onslaught
Onslaught is a British thrash metal band formed in Bristol in 1983. Known for their aggressive sound and politically charged lyrics, they’ve been a significant force in the UK’s thrash metal scene for nearly four decades.
The band’s original lineup consisted of Nige Rockett (guitar), Steve Grice (drums), Jase Stallard (bass), and Paul Mahoney (vocals). They released their debut album, “Power from Hell,” in 1985, quickly establishing themselves as pioneers of the British thrash movement.
Onslaught’s career has been marked by several lineup changes and a hiatus from 1991 to 2005. Their 1986 album “The Force” is considered a thrash metal classic, showcasing their raw energy and technical prowess.
After reforming in 2005, Onslaught has continued to release new material and tour extensively. Their more recent albums, including “Sounds of Violence” (2011) and “Generation Antichrist” (2020), demonstrate their ability to evolve while maintaining their signature aggressive style.
The song “Bow Down to the Clowns” is a testament to Onslaught’s enduring relevance, featuring their trademark blend of blistering riffs, pounding drums, and socially conscious lyrics that critique modern society and politics.
The band’s original lineup consisted of Nige Rockett (guitar), Steve Grice (drums), Jase Stallard (bass), and Paul Mahoney (vocals). They released their debut album, “Power from Hell,” in 1985, quickly establishing themselves as pioneers of the British thrash movement.
Onslaught’s career has been marked by several lineup changes and a hiatus from 1991 to 2005. Their 1986 album “The Force” is considered a thrash metal classic, showcasing their raw energy and technical prowess.
After reforming in 2005, Onslaught has continued to release new material and tour extensively. Their more recent albums, including “Sounds of Violence” (2011) and “Generation Antichrist” (2020), demonstrate their ability to evolve while maintaining their signature aggressive style.
The song “Bow Down to the Clowns” is a testament to Onslaught’s enduring relevance, featuring their trademark blend of blistering riffs, pounding drums, and socially conscious lyrics that critique modern society and politics.
Meaning of Bow Down to the Clowns by Onslaught
The song “Bow Down to the Clowns” by Onslaught seems to be a commentary on societal control, manipulation, and deception. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where individuals are directed and influenced by unseen forces, much like being in a circus controlled by clowns who represent those in power.
The references to “elite in every way” and “white face, fake painted smile” suggest a facade of superiority and artificiality that dominates society. The idea of pacifying others and creating a sense of pretense to obscure reality is a theme throughout the song. The mention of only seeing, reading, and hearing what they want us to implies a manipulation of information and perception for the benefit of those in control.
The chorus, with lines like “Bow down to the clowns, watch the puppets dance and drown,” conveys a sense of submission and helplessness in the face of manipulation. The imagery of the circus and the puppets dancing symbolizes people being controlled and misled by those in power, ultimately leading to their downfall.
The repetition of “obey, control, divide, defeat” highlights a cycle of obedience, manipulation, division, and ultimately defeat that is perpetuated by those in power. The reference to the “new world order” further emphasizes the idea of a structured system of control and influence that governs society.
Overall, the song “Bow Down to the Clowns” appears to be a critical examination of societal structures, power dynamics, and the manipulation of individuals through misinformation and control. It serves as a warning about blindly following authority and those who seek to deceive and exploit others for their own gain.
The references to “elite in every way” and “white face, fake painted smile” suggest a facade of superiority and artificiality that dominates society. The idea of pacifying others and creating a sense of pretense to obscure reality is a theme throughout the song. The mention of only seeing, reading, and hearing what they want us to implies a manipulation of information and perception for the benefit of those in control.
The chorus, with lines like “Bow down to the clowns, watch the puppets dance and drown,” conveys a sense of submission and helplessness in the face of manipulation. The imagery of the circus and the puppets dancing symbolizes people being controlled and misled by those in power, ultimately leading to their downfall.
The repetition of “obey, control, divide, defeat” highlights a cycle of obedience, manipulation, division, and ultimately defeat that is perpetuated by those in power. The reference to the “new world order” further emphasizes the idea of a structured system of control and influence that governs society.
Overall, the song “Bow Down to the Clowns” appears to be a critical examination of societal structures, power dynamics, and the manipulation of individuals through misinformation and control. It serves as a warning about blindly following authority and those who seek to deceive and exploit others for their own gain.
Lyrics of Bow Down to the Clowns by Onslaught
Roll up to the land of the free
With orders to obey
Step into a world of clowns
Elite in every way
White face, fake painted smile
Born into pretend
Pacifying all around
In darkness, world descends
We only see what they want us to
We only read what they want us to read
We only hear what they want us to
They wanna make us bleed
Slow down to the clowns
When the circus comes to town
Bow down to the clowns
Watch the puppets dance and drown
Who's wearing the crown?
Pulling strings, we all fall down
Bow down to the clowns
The greatest f*****g show in town
Stand up for the star attraction
A carnival of freaks
Walking through a ring of fire
A masked pretender speaks
Hands clap, sugar candy lies
Fear becomes your friend
Step up to the carousel
The magic never ends
We only see what they want us to
We only read what they want us to read
We only hear what they want us to
They wanna make us bleed
Slow down to the clowns
When the circus comes to town
Bow down to the clowns
Watch the puppets dance and drown
Who's wearing the crown?
Pulling strings, we all fall down
Bow down to the clowns
The greatest f*****g show in town
Obey, control, divide, defeat
Obey, control, divide, defeat
Obey, control, divide, defeat
Obey, control, divide and delete
Ladies and gentlemen
Step right up to the land of the free
Bring your sons and your daughters
Welcome to the new world order
We only see what they want us to
We only read what they want us to read
We only hear what they want us to
They wanna make us bleed
Slow down to the clowns
When the circus comes to town
Bow down to the clowns
Watch the puppets dance and drown
Who's wearing the crown?
Pulling strings, we all fall down
Bow down to the clowns
The greatest f*****g show in town
With orders to obey
Step into a world of clowns
Elite in every way
White face, fake painted smile
Born into pretend
Pacifying all around
In darkness, world descends
We only see what they want us to
We only read what they want us to read
We only hear what they want us to
They wanna make us bleed
Slow down to the clowns
When the circus comes to town
Bow down to the clowns
Watch the puppets dance and drown
Who's wearing the crown?
Pulling strings, we all fall down
Bow down to the clowns
The greatest f*****g show in town
Stand up for the star attraction
A carnival of freaks
Walking through a ring of fire
A masked pretender speaks
Hands clap, sugar candy lies
Fear becomes your friend
Step up to the carousel
The magic never ends
We only see what they want us to
We only read what they want us to read
We only hear what they want us to
They wanna make us bleed
Slow down to the clowns
When the circus comes to town
Bow down to the clowns
Watch the puppets dance and drown
Who's wearing the crown?
Pulling strings, we all fall down
Bow down to the clowns
The greatest f*****g show in town
Obey, control, divide, defeat
Obey, control, divide, defeat
Obey, control, divide, defeat
Obey, control, divide and delete
Ladies and gentlemen
Step right up to the land of the free
Bring your sons and your daughters
Welcome to the new world order
We only see what they want us to
We only read what they want us to read
We only hear what they want us to
They wanna make us bleed
Slow down to the clowns
When the circus comes to town
Bow down to the clowns
Watch the puppets dance and drown
Who's wearing the crown?
Pulling strings, we all fall down
Bow down to the clowns
The greatest f*****g show in town
Discography Onslaught
![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Skullcrusher_cover.jpg)
Skullcrusher
Release: 2022
Label: Back on Black
1. Visions of Our Future
2. The Black Horse Of Famine
3. Thermonuclear Devastation
4. Skullcrusher II
5. Fight With The Beast
6. Let There Be Death
7. Lightning War
8. In Search Of Sanity
9. Pain
10. Destroyer Of Worlds
Tracklist
Collapse
2. The Black Horse Of Famine
3. Thermonuclear Devastation
4. Skullcrusher II
5. Fight With The Beast
6. Let There Be Death
7. Lightning War
8. In Search Of Sanity
9. Pain
10. Destroyer Of Worlds
![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Generation-Antichrist_cover.jpg)
Generation Antichrist
Release: 2020-08-07
Label: Back on Black
Popularity: 👏
1. Rise to Power
2. Strike Fast Strike Hard
3. Bow Down to the Clowns
4. Generation Antichrist
5. All Seeing Eye
6. Addicted to the Smell of Death
7. Empires Fall
8. Religiousuicide
9. A Perfect Day to Die – 2020 Version
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Strike Fast Strike Hard
3. Bow Down to the Clowns
4. Generation Antichrist
5. All Seeing Eye
6. Addicted to the Smell of Death
7. Empires Fall
8. Religiousuicide
9. A Perfect Day to Die – 2020 Version
![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Shadow-of-Death_cover.jpg)
The Shadow of Death
Release: 2016-04-08
Label: Back on Black
1. Thermo Nuclear Devastation of the Earth
2. The Black Horse of Famine
3. Overthrow the System
4. Rape
5. Protest, But Who Said You Will Survive
6. Visions of Our Future
7. Treading the Path Toward Death
8. An Innocent Man
9. The Shadow of Death
10. The Black Horse of Famine – Demo
Tracklist
Collapse
2. The Black Horse of Famine
3. Overthrow the System
4. Rape
5. Protest, But Who Said You Will Survive
6. Visions of Our Future
7. Treading the Path Toward Death
8. An Innocent Man
9. The Shadow of Death
10. The Black Horse of Famine – Demo
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![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/artistpicture/Onslaught-8c5bf683-2ca3-4f01-be38-e20e8f80fc20.jpg)
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![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Skullcrusher_cover.jpg)
Skullcrusher
Release: 2022
Label: Back on Black
l
1. Visions of Our Future
2. The Black Horse Of Famine
3. Thermonuclear Devastation
4. Skullcrusher II
5. Fight With The Beast
6. Let There Be Death
7. Lightning War
8. In Search Of Sanity
9. Pain
10. Destroyer Of Worlds
Tracklist
Collapse
2. The Black Horse Of Famine
3. Thermonuclear Devastation
4. Skullcrusher II
5. Fight With The Beast
6. Let There Be Death
7. Lightning War
8. In Search Of Sanity
9. Pain
10. Destroyer Of Worlds
![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Generation-Antichrist_cover.jpg)
Generation Antichrist
Release: 2020-08-07
Label: Back on Black
Popularity: 👏
1. Rise to Power
2. Strike Fast Strike Hard
3. Bow Down to the Clowns
4. Generation Antichrist
5. All Seeing Eye
6. Addicted to the Smell of Death
7. Empires Fall
8. Religiousuicide
9. A Perfect Day to Die – 2020 Version
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Strike Fast Strike Hard
3. Bow Down to the Clowns
4. Generation Antichrist
5. All Seeing Eye
6. Addicted to the Smell of Death
7. Empires Fall
8. Religiousuicide
9. A Perfect Day to Die – 2020 Version
![](https://songminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Shadow-of-Death_cover.jpg)
The Shadow of Death
Release: 2016-04-08
Label: Back on Black
l
1. Thermo Nuclear Devastation of the Earth
2. The Black Horse of Famine
3. Overthrow the System
4. Rape
5. Protest, But Who Said You Will Survive
6. Visions of Our Future
7. Treading the Path Toward Death
8. An Innocent Man
9. The Shadow of Death
10. The Black Horse of Famine – Demo
Tracklist
Collapse
2. The Black Horse of Famine
3. Overthrow the System
4. Rape
5. Protest, But Who Said You Will Survive
6. Visions of Our Future
7. Treading the Path Toward Death
8. An Innocent Man
9. The Shadow of Death
10. The Black Horse of Famine – Demo