The Show Must Go On

Three Dog Night

About The Show Must Go On

"The Show Must Go On" is a song co-written by Leo Sayer and David Courtney and first recorded by Sayer. It was released in the United Kingdom in 1973, becoming Sayer's first hit record (reaching its chart peak of #2 in early 1974 in the UK). The song reached #3 on the Irish Singles Chart in January 1974, and was included on Sayer's debut album Silverbird. The song was covered by Three Dog Night, whose version was released in 1974, becoming a hit in the United States, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sung by vocalist Chuck Negron. The record reached #1 on the Cashbox pop chart, #2 on the Canadian RPM Magazine charts, and became their seventh and final Gold Record. It uses a circus theme as a metaphor for dealing with the difficulties and wrong choices of life. Early in Sayer's career, he performed it dressed and made up as a pierrot clown. The opening motif quotes Julius Fučík's "Entrance of the Gladiators" which is commonly associated with circus clowns. In Sayer's version, the last line of the chorus is "I won't let the show go on". Three Dog Night sang it as "I must let the show go on", which Sayer was reportedly not happy about. 


Year:
1983
3:37
822 

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Baby, although I chose this lonely life
It seems it's stranglin' me now
All the wild men, big cigars, gigantic car
They're all laughin' at the lie

Oh, I've been used Ooh-oh-oh-oh
I've been a fool, oh, what a fool
I broke all the rules Oh, yeah
But I must let the show go on

Baby, there's an enormous crowd of people
They're all after my blood
I wish maybe they'd tear down the walls of this theater
Let me out, let me out

Oh, I'm so blind, oh, I'm blind
I wasted time wasted, wasted, wasted time
Walkin' on the wire, high wire
But I must let the show go on

Oh, I'm so blind, oh, I'm blind
I wasted time, wasted, wasted, all too much time
Walkin' on the wire, high wire
But I must let the show go on

Baby, I wish you'd help me escape
Help me get away
Leave me outside my address
Far away from this masquerade

'Cause I've been blind, oh, so blind
I wasted time, wasted, wasted, all too much time
Walkin' on the wire, high wire
But I must let the show go
I must let the show go
I must let the show go on

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. This highly successful vocal-centric rock band formed in 1968 with a lineup consisting of Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron. The three lead singers were backed by Jimmy Greenspoon (organ), Joe Schermie (bass), Mike Allsup (guitar) and Floyd Sneed (drums). With their distinctive and sometimes extraordinary harmonic blend, the band registered an impressive 21 Billboard Top 40 hits (with three hitting number one) between 1969 and 1975. Their startling version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s ‘'It’s For You’' typified the band at their best, but it was their original arrangements of the work of lesser-known writers that brought welcome exposure and considerable royal… more »

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Written by: DAVID ALEXANDER COURTNEY, LEO SAYER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

The Leo Sayer Fact
In 1973, Leo Sayer co-wrote the song "The Show Must Go On" with David Courtney.
Three Dog Night Fact
Later in the same year, "The Show Must Go On" was covered by the band Three Dog Night.
Chart Performance Fact (Leo Sayer version
Sayer's original recording of the song didn't achieve much commercial success, reaching only #39 in the UK Singles Chart.
Chart Performance Fact (Three Dog Night version
However, the cover by Three Dog Night reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart in the U.S. in 1974.
The Leo Sayer Stage Character
Leo Sayer performed the song as a pierrot in a mask and costume, displaying a more theatrical side to his persona.
The Show Must Go On Album Fact
This song is the opening track from Leo Sayer's debut album, "Silverbird," which was released in 1973.
Three Dog Night's Final Top Hit Fact
"The Show Must Go On" was the last Top 10 hit for Three Dog Night.
Three Dog Night Variation Fact
Three Dog Night changed the lyrics slightly in their version, from "I won't let the show go on" to "I must let the show go on", which ultimately became the song's lasting message.
Three Dog Night Title Fact
Initially, Three Dog Night released the song under the title "Show Must Go On", omitting the initial "The".
Music Video Fact
The music video of Leo Sayer's "The Show Must Go On" contains a pantomime theme, showcasing Sayer's pierrot character.
Song Legacy Fact
Despite the original version not being as successful, "The Show Must Go On" has become one of Leo Sayer's most famous songs and has been covered by several artists over the years.

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    The Show Must Go On

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #4


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