Can't Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me
Alice Cooper · Take 2 [2002]
I won't close my eyes,
I can't close my eyes
It's true,
I'm doomed
'til dawn
shines through
Got too many things to do
Got friends to see,
I can't miss a thing
It's true,
I'm through
I'm screwed,
unglued
I won't close my eyes, I can't close my eyes,
I never close my eyes
You see, they're always there with funny hair,
Oh, I'm so scared
It happens to me every night
Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
They always want to take a bite
Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
And if you think this isn't real
I'll show you wounds that never heal
To them I'm just a happy meal
Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
Make the coffee black as night
Help me through the night
I know their appetite for me
I'm meat
but I'm sweet
as can be
And if I do too much booze
I begin to snooze
I hear the big old floppy shoes
It's true,
I'm stew,
unchewed
I won't close my eyes, I can't close my eyes,
I never close my eyes
See, they're always there with that funny hair,
Oh, I'm so scared
It happens to me every night
Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
They always want to take a bite
Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
And if you think this isn't real
I'll show you wounds that never heal
To them I'm just a happy meal
Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
Can't Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me
Released on Alice Cooper's 2002 album Take 2, this track exemplifies the artist's enduring commitment to theatrical horror and dark comedy. The song continues the legacy established in his earlier work, such as Billion Dollar Babies, where Cooper blended rock instrumentation with macabre storytelling and exaggerated character voices. While the production reflects modern recording standards, the core performance retains the campy, over-the-top persona that defined his career. The lyrics explore themes of fear and the absurdity of the clown archetype, delivered with the same manic energy that made him a pioneer of shock rock. It stands as a testament to his ability to reinvent his sound while maintaining the distinctive, unsettling atmosphere that fans have come to expect from his discography.