Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: show-tunes
Song Meaning of “A Little Night Music: Send in the clowns (arr. M. Martin)” by Stephen Sondheim
This heartbreaking song from the musical “A Little Night Music” speaks of heartache, acceptance, and longing, and follows the story of a man trying to come to terms with the relationship that never was. He reflects on the past, wishing he had done something differently or that the other person had done something different, perhaps even mentioning a lack of feeling or emotion from the other party. Through these reflections, he comes to the realization that things are the way they are, and there is nothing he can do about it.
He uses the deliberate metaphor of “Send in the Clowns” to emphasize the hopelessness of the situation, to reflect the emotionally vacant nature of his relationship. The clowns are often used as a symbol of sadness, and their presence here implies that this person has hit a point of resignation or resignation accepted with a simple “there ought to be clowns.” It could also be seen as a sign of self-awareness, as he has come to understand that his role in the relationship was the joker, doomed to make jokes while the other person remains indifferent or uncaring.
Ultimately this song is about coming to a place of acceptance, a lesson many of us have needed to learn. It’s an emotionally potent song, and one that speaks to many of us in times of heartbreak and loss.