Terrifiers: 10 frightening clowns on old album covers

"Everybody loves a clown," sang Gary Lewis & the Playboys in 1965, but do they really? 

It's clear that a lot of people fear clowns, judging from the popularity of clown horror films. 

The 2017 remake of Stephen King's It, with Pennywise the Dancing Clown, became the highest-grossing horror film of all time, and that's just one example. 

So many clown horror movies have been made that a clown car couldn't hold them all. Terrifier, Clown Kill, 31, Stitches, 100 Tears, Killjoy, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Insane, and the highly anticipated (by me) Clownado are just a tiny sample of what's available. 

Digging through the vinyl bins, you might occasionally be startled to find one of these jolly fellows looking back at you.

Eddie Zima & His Orchestra – Circus Polka (Dana, 1953)

The goose does most of the killing for him.

Merle Evans & His Circus Band – Circus in Town! (Decca, 1958)

 

Possibly too drunk to be dangerous.

Hank Sylvern featuring Robert Q. Lewis – The Magic World of Circuses and Clowns (Lion, 1959)

The look of contentment after a big meal of children.

Clarabelle, the Norman Paris Trio – Clowns with Jazz (Golden Crest, 1957)

"Hey kids, wanna see what's in my basement?"

Antal Dorati Conducting the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra – Petrouchka (Mercury, 1955)

"How can you kill me? I'm already dead."

Charles Mingus – The Clown (Atlantic, 1957)

On oxygen after being shot several times by the cops.

Leo Arnaud & His Orchestra – Carnival in Rio (Liberty, 1956)

With arms like that, children are never out of reach.

Jimmy Bryant – Laughing Guitar, Crying Guitar (Imperial, 1966)

He laughs when they're dead, cries when they escape.

Pinto Colvig, Alan Livingston, and Billy May – Bozo Sings (Capitol, 1948)

The last thing you see when he strangles you.

Carl Stevens & His Circus Band – Music from the Big Top (Mercury, 1956)

The scary thing here is that John C. Reilly looks exactly like this when he wears clown makeup.