The Tears of a Clown

Stevie Wonder

About The Tears of a Clown

"The Tears of a Clown" is a song written by Hank Cosby, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder 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 12 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. 


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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
'Cause really I'm sad, Oh I'm sadder than sad
Well I'm hurt and I want you so bad
Like a clown I appear to be glad  ooh yeah

CHORUS:

Well they're 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 baby, oh yeah baby baby

Now if I appear to be carefree
It's only to camouflage my sadness
And honey 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
'cause I need to go, oh I need you so
Look I'm hurt and I want you to know
For others I put on a show 

CHORUS

Just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my surface hid
Smiling in the crowd I try
But in a lonely room I cry
The tears of a clown
When there's no one around, oh yeah, baby 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
'Cause really I'm sad

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Stevie Wonder

Stevland Hardaway Morris (born May 13, 1950 as Stevland Hardaway Judkins), known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, a child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century. Blind since shortly after birth, Wonder signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of eleven, and continues to perform and record for Motown to this day. more »

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Written by: William Jr. Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Credit
"The Tears of a Clown" was written by Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Hank Cosby.
Initial Release
Originally, the song was released in 1967 on the album 'Make it Happen' by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.
Chart Performance
The song didn't become a hit until it was released as a single in 1970 where it shot up to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the R&B Singles chart in the United States.
UK Success
Besides its success in the US, the song also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, making it Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' biggest hit.
Intent of Release
The song was released as a single in 1970 to maintain the group’s career momentum while they worked on their next album.
Stevie Wonder's Contribution
Stevie Wonder initially composed the music for the song, and Smokey Robinson added the lyrics to it later.
Influenced by Circus Theme
The melody of the song is inspired by a circus theme, to which Robinson added touching lyrics about a man who appears happy on the outside but is sad on the inside.
Popularity
"The Tears of a Clown" is considered one of the defining songs of Motown and has been covered by many artists, including English ska band The Beat in 1979.
Robinson's Departure
The success of the song led to a delay in Smokey Robinson's departure from The Miracles, which he announced in 1968 but didn't follow through until 1972.
Awards
It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, an honor reserved for recordings of "lasting qualitative or historical significance."
Rerelease
In 2002, a rerecorded version by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles was released on their album, "20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles."
Film Features
The song has also been featured in several films and television shows such as Platoon, The Royal Tenenbaums and Pose.
Certification
As of June 2020, the song's original version has earned an RIAA gold certification for selling over 500,000 digital copies.

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