The band originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead guitarist Caleb Andrew Bingham, bassist Matt Snell, and drummer Jeremy Spencer. Bingham was replaced by guitarist Darrell Roberts in 2006, who was then replaced by Jason Hook in 2009. Bassist Matt Snell departed from the band in 2010, and was replaced by Chris Kael in 2011. Spencer then departed the band in 2018 due to recurring back issues, and was replaced by Charlie Engen, making rhythm guitarist Bathory the only remaining founding member of the band. In October 2020, British guitarist Andy James became the band's lead guitarist, replacing Jason Hook.
Five Finger Death Punch are the recipients of the RadioContraband Rock Radio Awards for "Indie Artist of the Year" in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They were also honored with the Radio Contraband Rock Radio Award for Album (American Capitalist) and Song of the Year ("Coming Down") in 2012 and "Video of the Year" for "Wrong Side of Heaven" in 2014.
To date, Five Finger Death Punch has released nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one extended play (EP), and 33 singles.
Welcome To The Circus
Five Finger Death Punch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to the shit show
Just another freak show
Hang your hat and hate at the door
It's a game of torture
Souls are made to order
Everything you wanted and more
You've gotta kill somebody to thrill somebody
Everybody's gotta reason to bleed
You've gotta fuck somebody to know somebody
That motherfucker ain't me
Am I the only one
That doesn't buy into the lies?
Am I the only one
That doesn't wear a disguise?
'Cause if I can't break it
And I can't change it
Then tell me, how will I know? (Tell me, how will I?)
Am I the only one
That isn't just here for the show?
Welcome to the circus
Grab your favorite stones
They came for broken bones
That's what happens when you sign on the line
There's no need for excuses
Everybody loses
Only way you'll ever win is to die
You've gotta burn somebody to learn somebody
Everybody's got a Jekyll and Hyde
You gotta curse somebody to hurt somebody
Everybody needs a reason to die
Am I the only one
That doesn't buy into the lies?
Am I the only one
That doesn't wear a disguise?
'Cause if I can't break it
And I can't change it
Then tell me, how will I know? (Tell me, how will I?)
Am I the only one
That isn't just here for the show?
Welcome to the circus
You gotta hide your face
(Sell them what they bought 'cha)
(Teach them what they taught 'cha)
You gotta hide your veins
(This is how they gut 'cha)
(Right before they cut ya)
You gotta hide your pain
(Ugly how they rule you)
(That's just how they screw you)
You gotta hide your rage
(Everyone has earned this)
(Welcome to the circus)
Tickey, tickey, tasket
Time to burn the casket
Time to burn this motherfucker down
Am I the only one
That doesn't buy into the lies?
Am I the only one
That doesn't wear a disguise? (Doesn't wear a disguise)
'Cause if I can't break it
And I can't change it
Then tell me, how will I know? (Tell me, how will I?)
Am I the only one
That isn't just here for the show? (Not just here for the)
Am I
Tell me, how will I know? (Tell me, how will I?)
Am I the only one
That isn't just here for the show?
Welcome to the circus
The song "Welcome to the Circus" by Five Finger Death Punch is a metaphor for life, comparing it to a circus with its freak shows, torture games, broken bones, and a requirement to hide one's pain and rage. The lyrics suggest that in this circus, one has to kill somebody to thrill somebody and fuck somebody to know somebody. The song speaks to those who have grown weary of the lies and disguises they see in the world. The singer questions his own existence and whether he is here just for show or if there is more to life.
The chorus repeats the questions "Am I the only one that doesn't buy into the lies?" and "Am I the only one that isn't just here for the show?" The final lines implore a rebellion, asking if it's time to burn the casket and burn down this circus. This song highlights the raw cynicism and disillusionment that many people feel in regard to society and the need for a change.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the circus
Welcome to the world of chaos and deception
Welcome to the shit show
Welcome to a place where everything is messed up
Just another freak show
This is nothing but a show featuring oddities and abnormalities
Hang your hat and hate at the door
Leave your problems outside and come in with a heart full of resentment
It's a game of torture
This is not a place to find happiness or peace, but to be tormented
Souls are made to order
This is a place where people's lives and souls are controlled by others
Everything you wanted and more
You may think you're getting everything you want, but in reality, it's much worse
You've gotta kill somebody to thrill somebody
Violence and aggression are necessary to entertain someone
Everybody's gotta reason to bleed
Everyone has a justification for hurting others or themselves
You've gotta fuck somebody to know somebody
Intimacy is the only way to truly know and understand someone
That motherfucker ain't me
I refuse to be involved in this kind of behavior
Am I the only one
Do I stand alone in my beliefs and convictions?
That doesn't buy into the lies?
I refuse to accept or believe in the falsehoods presented in this environment
That doesn't wear a disguise?
I refuse to hide my true self and conform to the norms of this place
'Cause if I can't break it
Because I cannot change the situation
And I can't change it
I cannot alter the circumstances of this world
Then tell me, how will I know? (Tell me, how will I?)
I am seeking guidance because I am lost in this environment
That isn't just here for the show?
I am not just here to be entertained, but to live with purpose
Grab your favorite stones
Get ready to attack
They came for broken bones
People will come here to hurt and destroy others
That's what happens when you sign on the line
When you agree to be part of this world, you sign up for your own destruction
There's no need for excuses
There is no justification for the horrors that occur here
Everybody loses
No one succeeds in this place
Only way you'll ever win is to die
The only escape from this world is through death
You've gotta burn somebody to learn somebody
You have to harm others to truly understand them
Everybody's got a Jekyll and Hyde
Everyone has a hidden, darker side to their personality
You gotta curse somebody to hurt somebody
You have to have a reason to harm or hurt someone
Everybody needs a reason to die
Everyone needs to have a justification for why they end their own life
You gotta hide your face
You must keep your identity and emotions hidden
(Sell them what they bought 'cha)
People will only buy what they've been taught to want
(Teach them what they taught 'cha)
Teach others what you were taught to believe
You gotta hide your veins
You must conceal your weaknesses
(This is how they gut 'cha)
That's how they take advantage of you
(Right before they cut ya)
Before they exploit you, they lure you in with promises
You gotta hide your pain
You must hide your emotional suffering
(Ugly how they rule you)
The way they control you is cruel and unjust
(That's just how they screw you)
They exploit your weaknesses to their own advantage
You gotta hide your rage
You must repress your anger
(Everyone has earned this)
Everyone is deserving of this kind of treatment
(Welcome to the circus)
Welcome to a world where everything is an act
Tickey, tickey, tasket
The time has come
Time to burn the casket
It's time to destroy this destructive environment
Time to burn this motherfucker down
It's time to destroy this corrupt and abusive world
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivan Greening, Kevin Gregory Churko, Zoltan Bathory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FiveFingerDeathPunch
Here we go!! Welcome To The Circus!
@Gfan-yi7tm
You guys have been my number 1 band for years! Pumped for the new album!
@fabiandrade927
🖤🖤
@oscaryanezzavala
Here we go again with another sick banger👍👍👍👍
@ClkCreations
YESSSSSS I needed that 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Awesome 🤘🏻❤️🔥🤘🏻
@imakhajiit
Thank You ! <3
@danielgoss6367
The official theme song of how I feel when I’m at work
@rowan1325
Same here
@justasimpleraindropintheoc2865
🍻
@harrysachz6748
It's also the theme song for the US Congress 🤡