SMOKEY ROBINSON - THE TEARS OF A CLOWN

THE TEARS OF A CLOWN

SMOKEY ROBINSON

SONGWRITERS: STEVIE WONDER; SMOKEY ROBINSON & HANK CROSBY

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

ALBUM: MAKE IT HAPPEN

LABEL: TAMLA

GENRE: SOUL

YEAR: 1978

"The Tears of a Clown" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Hank Cosby and originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for the Tamla Records label subsidiary of Motown, first appearing on the 1967 album Make It Happen. It was re-released in the United Kingdom as a single in July 1970, and it became a #1 hit on the UK singles chart for the week ending 12th September 1970. Subsequently, Motown released "The Tears of a Clown" as a single in the United States as well, where it quickly became a #1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts.

This song is an international multi-million seller and a 2002 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee. Its success led Miracles lead singer, songwriter, and producer Smokey Robinson, who had announced plans to leave the act, to stay until 1972.

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.

Ah sadder than sad.

You're gone and I'm hurtin' so bad.

Like a clown I pretend to be glad.

Now there's some sad things known to man,

But ain't too much sadder than

The tears of a clown

When there's no one around.

Oh yeah baby

Now if I appear to be carefree,

It's only to camouflage my sadness.

In order 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

Decided to go.

Oh, I need you so.

I'm hurt and I want you to know.

But for others I put on a show.

Ooh, oh there's some sad things known to man,

But ain't too much sadder than

The tears of a clown

When there's no one around, oh yeah

Just like Pagliacci did,

I try to keep my sadness hid.

Smiling in the public eye

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

Really I'm sad

Hurtin' so bad.