Tears Of A Clown
- Thread starter SinisterMinisterX
- Start date
srfc
Ancient Mariner
"maketh of the man" is not really a common phrase to my knowledge, "maketh not the man" is what I would be more familiar with, so I don't know if this is a mistake in the lyrics or not. It sounds like bruce could be saying either.
I think the jist of the lyric is that the "smile" is not a true indicator of Williams real emotions
I think the jist of the lyric is that the "smile" is not a true indicator of Williams real emotions
Ranko
I'll shoot the gunner first!
I interpreted this in the sense that he was a man "made of false smiles" as opposed to actual smiles, i.e. a man who smiled falsely, so to speak, a man who was hiding his sadness most of the time behind the false smile.
You can see it in the interview on the previous page, he's talking about very serious subjects such as alcoholism and constantly using humor to describe those difficult situations.
You can see it in the interview on the previous page, he's talking about very serious subjects such as alcoholism and constantly using humor to describe those difficult situations.
The closest sayings I know of are 'manners maketh the man', (a man is judged/defined by his manners), or 'money maketh not the man' (wealth doesn't make you a good person). I'm not sure if they're trying to say RW/the protagonist was defined as the Funny Man by all because of his smile, or if the false smile summed up his entire character.
Clothes maketh the man is there as well, and maybe that's where it comes from.
You can 'wear' a smile, so that makes sense.
Brave New Pilgrim
What not to do if your bird sh#$% on you....
Anybody else think the line "Maybe it's all just for the best" is a bit weird in this song? Like they're suggesting his suicide was "for the best". Please tell me I'm just interpreting the line wrong.
Heretic
Still burning under our skies...
I guess it is a narration of the thoughts of the depressed person, which to me seems more or less accurate...
I don't think you're misinterpreting the line at all. Maiden has never shied away from social commentary, and there is a legitimate point to be made - some people think that if you are suffering from major depression, just been given a dementia diagnosis, it might be okay for you to choose to end your life.
I think that's exactly what the song is saying.
It's a phrase we often hear when someone passes after weeks of pain from terminal cancer.
A man living through decades of depression, maybe it is for the best.
CycleMotion
Nomad
Best lyrics on the album, this part is so simple but so heavy "Who motivates the motivator..."
Ranko
I'll shoot the gunner first!
Exactly. When someone who's been suffering from a very difficult illness for a long time passes away, there is a tiny bit of comfort in knowing that at least they're not suffering anymore.
Also, this particular theme is a connection between The Man of Sorrows and TOAC.
Caveman Ninja
The Titanic doesn't fit inside
Yeah, I love that line. Delivered in such a cool way.
CycleMotion
Nomad
It's also cool the way he sings it, and gives accent to words. I don't know but for me Bruce here sounds so young, relaxed, comfortable, focused and inspired.
Heretic
Still burning under our skies...
Still, I think it makes more sense to interpret all the lines in the chorus as reflections of a depressed mind that is contemplating suicide. He describes it as a cloud that lingers over the mind day after day. Beautifully, Steve uses 'tomorrow' to show how, everyday, he loses his hope that the cloud would be gone the next day. It's been there since as far as he can remember and he can't even figure out the exact reasons behind it. Frustrated and weary, he wonders if it is best to just put an end to it all.
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D
Deleted member 7164
Guest
"Who motivates the motivator"; the very line and the way it's sang is 100% Balls To Picasso.
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Sometimes mid-tempo Maiden is the best Maiden.
I love this song and I find it to contain some of the catchiest vocal melodies the band has written in a long, long time. If this isn't a single, I'll be shocked.
I love this song and I find it to contain some of the catchiest vocal melodies the band has written in a long, long time. If this isn't a single, I'll be shocked.