Yes, I’m a clown but I don’t wanna be/
Why can’tcha see the other side of me?
“Everybody Loves a Clown” was Gary Lewis & The Playboys’ big hit that debuted in 1965. It is a fantastic song, with a lot more depth than it is given credit for.
We first notice the upbeat tempo and major chord progression that typically signifies a ‘happy song’. In a sense it is. Lewis is keeping the tempo upbeat because he is playing the clown, and clowns don’t let others know that they are down. However, when we read the meaning of the lyrics, we can see that this is a man with a troubled heart, Just like a clown–to appear happy when deep down they are miserable.
The narrator desperately seeks the attention of a specific girl, but he only knows one way to charm people: by being a clown. That usually works well for him. He makes a lot of friends this way, but do women want to open up to a clown? At least initially, this girl doesn’t seem responsive.
Lewis implores the heavens to let this woman see that being a clown is only one side of him, and if she would just look deeper, and get to know him, she will see the real person behind the clown. Until then he doesn’t know what else to do but continue to joke around to guard his broken heart. He’s a bit lost.
Part of the reason the song gets overlooked is that it was a pop song written in the mid-60s: rock and folk had made such a huge leap during those years that pop music feels like a different art form. It feels left behind. Dylan, The Beatles, The Stones and The Beach Boys were writing a great album a year. Music was changing fast.
But if we look closer, we can see the greatness of “Everybody Loves a Clown”. Songs with similar themes are Tracks of My Tears—which was written about the same time–and Clown, by Emile Sande.
Everybody Loves a Clown Lyrics
Everybody loves a clown, so why don’t you?
Everybody laughs at the things I say and do.
They all laugh when they see me comin’,
But you don’t laugh, you just go home runnin’.
Everybody loves a clown, so why can’t you?
A clown has feelings, too.
I joke around at a party when you are there.
But you don’t laugh, you don’t look, you just don’t care.
If you wonder why this clown is cryin’,
Look a little closer, inside I’m dyin’.
It’s not easy to be in love, you see,
When you’re a clown like me’.
I don’t know how to say that I love you.
‘Cause you would smile and say “Tell a joke or two”.
Yes, I’m a clown but I don’t wanna be,
Why can’tcha see the other side of me?
Guess I’ll be the guy who plays the part,
Of a clown with a broken heart.
Dreamin’ of your love and not knowing where to start,
Dreamin’ of your love and not knowin’ where to start.
Songwriters: L. Russell / G. Lewis / T. Lesslie