Goodbye Cruel World

James Darren

About Goodbye Cruel World

"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song written by Gloria Shayne Baker, who also wrote the well-known Christmas carol, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and several songs for singer Lesley Gore. The most famous recording of this song is by James Darren. With its release as a single in 1961, Darren scored his first top ten hit on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100, at number three. On the Cash Box Top 100, it spent two weeks at number two. It would prove the biggest hit of his career on this chart, as well as on the UK Singles Chart (no. 28). Darren, playing pop idol "Kip Dennis", performed the song on a late 1961 episode of The Donna Reed Show. (He had previously played a different character in a 1959 episode of the sitcom). The song's lyrics were changed to "join the Army" instead of "join the circus" to reflect his character's reason to exit the show as Shelley Fabare's "love interest" ala Elvis' zeitgeist Army stint. The song was also used in a film on Pop Art directed by Ken Russell for the BBC TV series Monitor which was aired in March 1962; its context here was the escape from the dying culture of the British Empire. 


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(Goodbye, cruel world)
(Goodbye, cruel world)

Oh, goodbye, cruel world, I'm off to join the circus
Gonna be a broken-hearted clown
Paint my face with a good-for-nothin' smile
'Cause a mean, fickle woman turned my whole world upside down

(Goodbye, cruel world)

Farewell to love, I'm off to join the circus
Gotta find a way to hide my tears
Bet I'll have them rolling in the aisle
And I'll forget that woman if it takes a hundred years

Oh, oh, oh, step right up and take a look at a fool
He's got a heart as stubborn as a mule
C'mon, everybody, he's good for a laugh
And no one could tell his heart is broken in half

Well, the joke's on me; I'm off to join the circus
Oh, Mr. Barnum, save a place for me
Shoot me out of a cannon, I don't care
Let the people point at me and stare
I'll tell the world that woman, wherever she may be
That mean, fickle woman made a cryin' clown outta me

(Goodbye, cruel world)

Shoot me out of a cannon, I don't care
Let the people point at me and stare
I'll tell the world that woman, wherever she may be
That mean, fickle woman made a cryin' clown outta me

Goodbye, cruel world

Goodbye, cruel world

Goodbye, cruel world

Goodbye, cruel world

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James Darren

James William Ercolani (born June 8, 1936), known by his stage name James Darren, is an American television and film actor, television director, and singer. more »

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Written by: GLORIA SHAYNE

Lyrics © SEPTEMBER MUSIC CORP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist
"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song by American actor and singer James Darren. Born as James William Ercolani, he changed his name to Darren at the suggestion of Columbia Pictures head, Harry Cohn.
Ranking
The song enjoyed immense popularity and peaked at number #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
Release and Composition
The song was released in 1961 and is composed in the key of B flat major.
Genre
"Goodbye Cruel World" falls under the pop genre, featuring a catchy tune and pop-inspired beats, reflecting the popular music style of the early 1960s.
Record Label
The song was released under the renowned American label, 'Colpix Records,' which was active from 1958 to 1966.
Filmography
James Darren, while being a successful singer, was also a recognized actor. However, "Goodbye Cruel World" is not part of any film or series soundtrack he starred in.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Goodbye Cruel World," due to its enduring popularity, including Gary Lewis & the Playboys in 1965.
Duration
The song has a duration of approximately two minutes and nineteen seconds.
Lyrics
This song makes use of conventional pop lyrics, giving it a light and easy to listen to quality while dealing with the theme of heartbreak.
Live Performances
Darren, throughout his career, performed "Goodbye Cruel World" at many live performances and TV shows, with one memorable performance being on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.'

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    Goodbye Cruel World

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1961

    Billboard #3


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