Clowns (song)

Last updated
"Clowns"
ClownsGoldfrapp.jpg
Single by Goldfrapp
from the album Seventh Tree
Released20 October 2008 (2008-10-20)
Genre
Length4:10
Label Mute
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Alison Goldfrapp
  • Will Gregory
Goldfrapp singles chronology
"Caravan Girl"
(2008)
"Clowns"
(2008)
"Rocket"
(2010)

"Clowns" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fourth studio album, Seventh Tree (2008). The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory. It was released as the album's fourth and final single in October 2008.

Contents

On 20 October 2008, "Clowns" was made available as a free download from Goldfrapp's official website and Myspace page. [1] A live version of the song, performed at the 2008 BBC Electric Proms, was also released as a free download. [2] As part of the newspaper's week of free Goldfrapp giveaways, The Guardian released a live version of "Clowns" recorded at Union Chapel in London. [3] The song was played at end of the 2009 film Veronika Decides to Die . It has been covered by Melora Creager of Rasputina.

In a video interview with Blender , Alison Goldfrapp stated the song was about the overabundance of women on reality television with breast implants. [4]

Official versions

  1. "Clowns" (album version) – 4:10
  2. "Clowns" (instrumental version) – 4:07
  3. "Clowns" (live from BBC Electric Proms 2008) – 4:32
  4. "Clowns" (live from Union Chapel) – 4:22

Charts

Chart (2010)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [5] 115

Related Research Articles

Orbital (band) English electronic music group

Orbital are an English electronic music duo from Otford, Kent, England, consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. The band's name is taken from Greater London's orbital motorway, the M25, which was central to the early rave scene during the early days of acid house. Additionally, the cover art on three of their albums showcase stylised atomic orbitals. Orbital have been critically and commercially successful, known particularly for their live improvisation during shows. They were initially influenced by early electro and punk rock.

Goldfrapp English electronic music duo

Goldfrapp are an English electronic music duo from London, formed in 1999. The duo consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory (synthesiser).

<i>Felt Mountain</i> 2000 studio album by Goldfrapp

Felt Mountain is the debut studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. It was released on 11 September 2000 by Mute Records. The album takes influence from a variety of music styles such as 1960s pop, cabaret, folk and electronica.

<i>Supernature</i> (Goldfrapp album) 2005 studio album by Goldfrapp

Supernature is the third studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 17 August 2005 by Mute Records. The album received generally favourable reviews, with most critics complimenting its blend of pop and electronic music. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 52,976 copies, and has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Supernature has sold one million copies worldwide.

Alison Goldfrapp English musician and record producer

Alison Margaret Elizabeth Goldfrapp is an English musician and record producer, best known as the vocalist of British electronic music duo Goldfrapp.

Goldfrapp discography

English electronic music duo Goldfrapp have released seven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, four extended plays, 25 singles, eight promotional singles, one video album and 29 music videos. The band was formed in 1999 in London, and consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory (synthesiser).

Number 1 (Goldfrapp song) 2005 singly by Goldfrapp

"Number 1" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song features a synthesiser and bass guitar arrangement and was written about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last.

Ooh La La (Goldfrapp song) 2005 single by Goldfrapp

"Ooh La La" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song consists largely of a synthesiser and guitar arrangement, and has been described as "a dirty, decadent homage to Marc Bolan". It features a sample from the 1969 song "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum.

Ride a White Horse 2006 single by Goldfrapp

"Ride a White Horse" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. The song was written by Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory and Nick Batt for Goldfrapp's third album Supernature (2005). The song was inspired by the disco era nightclub Studio 54.

Strict Machine 2003 single by Goldfrapp

"Strict Machine" is an electronic dance song written by British electronic music duo Goldfrapp and Nick Batt for Goldfrapp's second studio album, Black Cherry (2003). It was produced by Goldfrapp and describes laboratory rats in neuroscience experiments. Alison Goldfrapp read in a newspaper about experiments in which scientists stimulated rats' brains so that the rats would feel joy when following commands. She was inspired to write "Strict Machine" based on images of the experiment and "more human aspects of machines and sex and control". Actress Gwendoline Christie features on the record sleeve disguised in a rabbit mask.

Davide Rossi is an Italian violinist, string arranger, composer, conductor and a record producer, perhaps best known for having been the violinist, guitar and keytar-player for the British electronic music duo Goldfrapp from 2000 until 2013, and for his large contribution of electric violin parts and for all the string arrangements on all Coldplay's albums since Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, and The Verve's album Forth.

<i>Seventh Tree</i> 2008 studio album by Goldfrapp

Seventh Tree is the fourth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. It was released on 22 February 2008 by Mute Records. It was named after a dream Alison Goldfrapp had about a "very large tree". Taking inspiration from paganism and surreal English children's books, Goldfrapp described the album as a "sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of Supernature", their previous studio album from 2005.

The Unthanks English folk group

The Unthanks are an English folk group known for their eclectic approach in combining traditional English folk, particularly Northumbrian folk music, with other musical genres. Their debut album, Cruel Sister, was Mojo magazine's Folk Album of the Year in 2005. Of their subsequent albums, nine have received four or five-starred reviews in the British national press. Their album Mount the Air, released in 2015, won in the best album category in the 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2017 they released two albums featuring the songs and poems of Molly Drake, mother of singer-songwriter and musician Nick Drake.

Happiness (Goldfrapp song) 2008 single by Goldfrapp

"Happiness" is a song by the English duo Goldfrapp from their fourth studio album, Seventh Tree (2008). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song was released as the album's second single on 14 April 2008. It was featured in advertisements for the newly rebranded SyFy network. It reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart and remains their last top 40 hit. In Scotland, the single peaked at number 6.

Caravan Girl 2008 single by Goldfrapp

"Caravan Girl" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fourth studio album, Seventh Tree (2008). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song was released as the album's third single on 30 June 2008 and peaked at number 54 on the UK Singles Chart. In Scotland, the song reached number 6, becoming the third single from Seventh Tree to reach the top 10.

Jont Musical artist

Jont Openheart is an English singer-songwriter. First achieving prominence as a slow left-arm spinner for Middlesex County Cricket Club, he then shifted focus to poetry then to music. Mainstream attention followed after his song "Sweetheart" was featured on the soundtrack to the 2005 US comedy film Wedding Crashers and two tracks from his 2008 album Supernatural were featured in Season Five of US medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

<i>iTunes Originals – Goldfrapp</i> 2008 live album by Goldfrapp

iTunes Originals – Goldfrapp is a live album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released exclusively through iTunes by Mute Records on 30 September 2008. The album was recorded in 2008 at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. It features live recordings in addition to commentary and anecdotes from the duo.

Rocket (Goldfrapp song) 2010 single by Goldfrapp

"Rocket" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fifth studio album, Head First (2010). It was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, with additional production by Pascal Gabriel. The song was released on 8 March 2010 as the album's lead single. To promote the single, the duo performed the song on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 26 March 2010. The accompanying music video features Alison driving a truck hauling a rocket with someone entirely wrapped in duct tape who is then taped to the rocket when it is launched at the end.

Laura Mvula British recording artist, songwriter and composer

Laura Mvula is a British recording artist, songwriter, and composer. A native of Birmingham, Mvula has gained experience as a young member or leader of a cappella, jazz/neo-soul, and gospel groups and choirs. She was classically trained. In 2012, she signed with RCA Records and released an extended play, She, to critical acclaim.

<i>Tales of Us</i> 2013 studio album by Goldfrapp

Tales of Us is the sixth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 6 September 2013 by Mute Records. In June 2013, the duo embarked on the Tales of Us Tour to promote the album.

References

  1. "Free Download: Clowns/Happiness (Choral Version)". Goldfrapp.com. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
  2. "Goldfrapp". BBC. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
  3. "Goldfrapp - Clowns (Live from Union Chapel)". The Guardian . Retrieved 27 October 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
  4. "Pop Rocks: Goldfrapp Talk About Lil Wayne". YouTube .
  5. "Chart Log UK (1994–2010): Gina G – GZA". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 2 December 2020.