All Tomorrow's Parties

Los Tres's rendition of 'All Tomorrow's Parties' delves into the poignant and melancholic life of a girl trapped in a cycle of despair and societal neglect. The song paints a vivid picture of a young woman who is perpetually preparing for 'tomorrow's parties,' yet she is always left with nothing but hand-me-downs and a sense of unfulfilled longing. The 'costume' she wears symbolizes her social status and the lack of new opportunities, as she is forced to don a dress from 'who knows where.' This imagery evokes a sense of invisibility and disposability, highlighting the girl's marginalized position in society.

The recurring question of 'what shall she do when midnight comes around' underscores the inevitability of her sorrow. Midnight, often a metaphor for the end of a cycle or a moment of reckoning, brings her back to 'Sunday's clown,' a figure representing her own despair and the futility of her efforts to change her circumstances. The clown, typically a symbol of joy and entertainment, is here inverted to signify sadness and mockery, emphasizing the girl's internal struggle and the external ridicule she faces.

The phrase 'Thursday's child is Sunday's clown' further deepens the narrative, suggesting that the girl's fate is sealed from birth. 'Thursday's child' traditionally refers to someone who has far to go, implying a journey or struggle. By becoming 'Sunday's clown,' she is depicted as someone who, despite her efforts, ends up in a state of sorrow and mockery. The 'blackened shroud' and 'hand-me-down gown' she wears to 'all tomorrow's parties' are emblematic of her perpetual mourning and the societal neglect she endures. The song, through its haunting lyrics and somber tone, serves as a powerful commentary on the cyclical nature of poverty and the emotional toll it takes on individuals, particularly women, who are often left to navigate these challenges alone.