Tears of a Clown
Smokey Robinson
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Oh yeah yeah yeah Now if there's a smile on my face It's only there trying to fool the public But when it comes down to fooling you Now honey that's quite a different subject But don't let my glad expression Give you the wrong impression Really I'm sad, oh I'm sadder than sad You're gone and I'm hurting so bad Like a clown I appear to be glad (sad, sad, sad, sad) Now they're some sad things known to man But ain't too much sadder than The tears of a clown when there's no one around, uh Oh yeah, baby Now if I appear to be carefree It's only to camouflage my sadness And honey to shield my pride I try To cover this hurt with a show of gladness But don't let my show convince you That I've been happy since you 'Cause I had to go (why did you go), oh I need you so (I need you so) Look I'm hurt and I want you to know (want you to know) For others I put on a show (it's just a show) Now they're some sad things known to man But ain't too much sadder than The tears of a clown when there's no one around, uh Just like Pagliacci did I try to keep my surface hid Smiling in the crowd I try But in my lonely room I cry The tears of a clown When there's no one around, oh yeah, baby Now if there's a smile on my face Don't let my glad expression Give you the wrong impression Don't let this smile I wear Make you think that I don't care 'Cause really I'm sad
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Written by: William Jr. Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Date"The Tears of a Clown" was released in the United States as a single in 1970, despite being recorded two years earlier in 1967.
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Album AppearanceInitially, the song was featured on the 1967 album "Make It Happen" by The Miracles.
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Song OriginAlthough Smokey Robinson and The Miracles had numerous hits before, "Tears of a Clown" was actually based on an instrumental track by Stevie Wonder and his producer Hank Cosby.
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Writing CreditsThe song was co-written by Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Hank Cosby.
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Chart SuccessUpon its 1970 release, the song quickly rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA and UK Singles Chart towards the end of the same year, making it the band's first UK No. 1 hit.
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Name InspirationRobinson noted that the song's name was inspired by the Italian opera Pagliacci, which is about a clown who must make his audience laugh while he weeps behind his makeup due to heartbreak.
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Last SingleGiven that it was such a huge success, "The Tears of a Clown" was the last single released by Smokey Robinson with the Miracles before he decided to pursue a solo career.
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Grammy Hall of FameIn 2002, the song was induced into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered "The Tears of a Clown," including Phil Collins and The Beat, due to its enduring popularity.
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Song MessageThe lyrics focus on maintaining a happy appearance while hiding feelings of sadness, an analogy to the life of a circus clown.
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Citation
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"Tears of a Clown Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/418946/Smokey+Robinson/Tears+of+a+Clown>.
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