Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: ska
Song Meaning of “Tears Of A Clown – Live 1983” by The English Beat
Tears Of A Clown is a slick and soulful R&B/pop number released back in 1983 by the English Beat. The song serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, the people who appear to be the happiest and most composed on the outside, can be struggling with immense internal turmoil.
The lyrics paint a vivid image of a clown struggling to keep a mask of joy in place while hiding tears of sorrow in his heart; he holds in his grief and sadness, instead pretending he’s content and carefree. The metaphor compares the clown to someone who puts on a public face of being alright, even when they feel down and out inside.
Though the beat is cheerful and upbeat, the tone of the song is deeply melancholic. It captures the difficulty of having to project a false sense of joy in place of ones true sadness. The artist uses the metaphor of a clown to depict the disconnect between the emotional state underneath, and the smiling exterior. Ultimately, the song serves as a powerful reminder that you never know what someone is really going through, and to check in and make sure people around you are ok.