I think that Steve Harris wrote a masterpiece with those lyrics. It has been written for the incredible Robin Williams… but how many clowns like him exist…??? Laughing and making people laugh just to flee (or try to hide their state of mind, their feelings) from the pain… This is, in my opinion, one of the most moving songs ever written…
With that said, Williams was really just telling dementia: "You can't fire me. I quit." He killed himself before passing the point of no return. Terry Pratchett was prepared to do the same thing, but his health abruptly failed and he never had to.
The lyrics are very touching and meaningful. "Who motivates the motivator?" always reminds of the story of Robin and his close friend Christopher Reeves.
Didn't realise the song was about Robin Williams - sort of happy that it is, it's a tribute to the person rather than just the talent. And Bruce sounds as if he was relieved to discover it wasn't autobiographical....
Steve Harris doesn't get the credit for the songwriter he is. Some of his songs are just amazing, and this is one of them. I was never one that was affected by deaths of celebrities, but Robin Williams somehow hit me, and it's because I grew up watching him. I grew up in the 80's, watching his stand up shows on HBO, watching some of his earlier movies, even as a little kid Watching Mork and Mindi on television. One of the first movies my wife and I saw together in the theaters was RV. But it was because no matter where he was, interviews, TV segments, he was always "on". He was the same person in everything, funny as hell and larger than life, and for him to die the way he did, was just very tragic because no one I think could imagine that, only to realize the last few months of his life was hell for him personally.
I saw Iron Maiden for the second time a few days ago, and I got a bit emotional when they played this song, as this is my favorite song from the album, and the funny thing is, the way Bruce did it on stage, was exactly how I imagined it in my head (right down to the hand movements that he made).
I wonder if Bruce’s studio performance of the song would have came out sounding any differently if he had known he was singing about Robin Williams while he was recording it.
You make an interesting point. I was actually quite surprised they hadn’t discussed that prior to Bruce singing, surely it would have made a difference like an actor getting into the mindset of a character.
Very interesting, I had no idea. I think this is what it is to be a creative/depressive type with that mind and to suffer for your art. A noticeably different song on the album, sticks in the memory for me.
The very first moment I heard Tears Of A Clown, I knew that it was about Robin Williams. Why? Because he was the soundtrack to my childhood, and when he died, it felt like I had lost a best friend.
I know it's an easy gag to riff on, but Maiden, despite their stupid reputation, do write some of the heaviest-hitting, emotionally connected songs in metal, or indeed anywhere. They always have a smile on their face, but they always write about war, or religious belief, or Robbin Williams and suicide, or just the feeling of flying home or spending years away from you family. Maiden are all about the high energy, high octane tune, but what they actually write and sing about are tragedies. Up the Irons.
You’re absolutely right. They portray themselves as not taking it too seriously and just having a bit of fun and a laugh but there is some incredibly deep material they have created which can really hit on an emotional level.
I was curious what the song was about. What kind of person it was portraying. Whoever that is they must be someone greater than just a silly clown. Then I came across this video and knew what it was about. So depressing to know this. I relate to it a lot myself.
