Circus Envy Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Here comes that awful feeling again
Welcome the ugly animal
I hold my breath to watch you swing
My high rope acrobat ball and chain
I'm not afraid, I messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
[Chorus]
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I'm getting tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
On command
[Verse 2]
Here comes that awful feeling again
Make way for monster jealousy
The strong man kicked sand into my breakfast cereal bowl
I'd spelled your name with Oatios
He messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
[Chorus]
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I'm getting tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
On command
Here comes that awful feeling again
Welcome the ugly animal
I hold my breath to watch you swing
My high rope acrobat ball and chain
I'm not afraid, I messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
[Chorus]
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I'm getting tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
On command
[Verse 2]
Here comes that awful feeling again
Make way for monster jealousy
The strong man kicked sand into my breakfast cereal bowl
I'd spelled your name with Oatios
He messed it, messed it, messed it, messed it up
[Chorus]
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I'm getting tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
On command
[Bridge]
And you're mean, mean, mean
And you tease, tease, tease me
[Verse 3]
If I were you I'd really run from me
I'd really, really wish that I were you
When I get loose I'll climb a tree and drop a load on your head
This monster in me makes me retch
You messed it, messed it up
[Chorus]
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I am tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
On command
[Outro]
And you're mean, mean, mean
And you tease, tease, tease me
Do you smell jealousy?
Do you smell jealousy?
Jealousy
Jealousy
And you're mean, mean, mean
And you tease, tease, tease me
[Verse 3]
If I were you I'd really run from me
I'd really, really wish that I were you
When I get loose I'll climb a tree and drop a load on your head
This monster in me makes me retch
You messed it, messed it up
[Chorus]
I've got my telescope head in the haystack
I am tired of your dodgeball circus act
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
Put pepper in my coffee, I forgot to bark
On command
[Outro]
And you're mean, mean, mean
And you tease, tease, tease me
Do you smell jealousy?
Do you smell jealousy?
Jealousy
Jealousy
About
Genius Annotation
Feelings of pain, anger and envy are personified throughout the song in terms of some kind of creature or performer in a carnival. They are demeaned and reduced to a side-show next to the subjects 3 ring circus.
At an event in 2019 to celebrate the Monster 25th anniversary reissue, Michael Stipe revealed for the first time that the lyrics for both “Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars)” (1982) and “Circus Envy” (1994) are inspired by the carnival scene in David Lynch’s film The Elephant Man (1980).
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Credits
Produced By
Written By
Mastering Engineer
Engineer
Release Date
September 27, 1994
Songs That Interpolate Circus Envy
Circus Envy Remixes
Circus Envy Live Performances
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