The Show Must Go On

Leo Sayer

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:
2009
3:38
16 
#1

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Baby, although I chose this lonely life
It seems it's strangling me now
All the wild men with big cigars and gigantic cars
They're all laughing at me now
Oh I've been used, used
I've been taken for a fool, oh what a fool
I broke all the rules, rules, yeah
But I won't let the show go on

Baby, there's an enormous crowd of people
And they're all after my blood
I wish maybe they'd tear down the walls of this theater
And let me out, let me out
Oh, I've been so blind, yeah
I've wasted time, wasted, wasted oh so much time
Walking on the wire, high wire, yeah
But I won't let the show go on

I've been so blind, oh yes, I've been so blind
Wasted my time, wasted so much time
Walking on the wire, high wire, yeah
But I won't let the show go on

Baby, I wish you'd help me escape
And help me get away
Leave me outside my address
Far away from this masquerade
I've been so used, I've been so abused
I've been a fool, I broke all the rules
I've been so used oh and abused
But I won't let the show go
Ah, but I won't let the show
Ho, I won't let the show go on

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Leo Sayer

Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer on 21 May 1948) is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s. His first seven hit singles in the United Kingdom all reached the Top 10 – a feat first registered by his one-time manager, Adam Faith. more »

3 fans

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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