Send In The Clowns

Album: Judith (1975)
Charted: 6 19
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  • Isn't it rich?
    Are we a pair?
    Me here at last on the ground,
    You in mid-air,
    Where are the clowns?

    Isn't it bliss?
    Don't you approve?
    One who keeps tearing around,
    One who can't move,
    Where are the clowns?
    There ought to be clowns?

    Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
    Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
    Making my entrance again with my usual flair
    Sure of my lines
    No one is there

    Don't you love farce?
    My fault, I fear
    I thought that you'd want what I want
    Sorry, my dear!
    But where are the clowns
    Send in the clowns
    Don't bother, they're here

    Isn't it rich?
    Isn't it queer?
    Losing my timing this late in my career
    But where are the clowns?
    There ought to be clowns
    Well, maybe next year Writer/s: Stephen Sondheim
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 25th 1973, the original production of the Steven Sondheim musical 'A Little Night Music' premiered at the Shubert Theater in New York City, the play ran for 601 performances...
    In Act II of the play Glynis Johns' character Desiree performed what would become the play's most memorable song, "Send In The Clowns"...
    Later in 1973 Frank Sinatra would be the first artist to cover the song, he recorded it for his 'Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back' album...
    Judy Collins' covered version charted twice on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; in 1975 it reached #36, and two years later in 1977 it would peak at #19.
  • Larry from AustraliaSondheim preferred the Glynis Johns version above all others. While I don't agree, that is a powerful message.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 18th 1977, Judy Collins performed "Send in the Clowns' on the syndicated TV program 'The Muppet Show'...
    At the time the song was at #36 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; five weeks later on November 20th, 1977 it peaked at #19 {for 2 weeks} and spent 16 weeks* on the Top 100...
    Two years earlier on June 15th, 1965 she first entered the Top 100 with the song; it eventually reached #36 and stayed on the chart for 11 weeks*...
    * So all tolled the song remained on the Top 100 for over a half-year {27 weeks}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 4th, 1976 Judy Collins performed "Send in the Clowns" on ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Ms. Collins will celebrate her 75th birthday this coming May 1st, 2014...
  • Thyrocyte from Bangkok, ThailandTo me, this song is quite sorrowful. I have heard that some regard this song as an anthem to regret for unwise decisions in the past. Also, it may refer to a recognition that there is no need to send in the clowns because they are already there. As above mentioned, this is a metaphor for a mistake that has already occurred and there is no use to try to correct with any means.Too late for the clowns to be sent in.

    By the way, I do like many parts of this song eg. "One who keeps tearing around,One who can't move" , "What a surprise,what a clich" and so on.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyJudy Collins released this song in 1975 and it peaked at #36; then two years later it was re-released and this time it reached #19... {In 1969 she charted with "Someday Soon", it only peaked at #55, it was such a good song I was surpized it didn't do better}

  • Sara from Silver Spring, MdShouldn't Glynis Johns be mentioned since she originated the song (she is best remembered today as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins) The show was based on Smiles of a Summer Night an Igmar Bergman film about two Swedish couples who go on a weekend on a country and there is a lot of... well Clive Barnes of the New York Times said "God God, an adult musical!". Most of the songs including this one were written in three quarter waltz time.
    There was a movie versison starring Liz Taylor directed by Harold Prince but it was rather awful because it switched locations from Sweden to Vienna. Glenn Close was to star in a Broadway revival but it never happened!
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