Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: rock-n-roll
Song Meaning of “The Clown” by Roy Orbison
The Clown by Roy Orbison paints a picture of a broken-hearted man whose beloved has passed away, leaving him alone and in pain. The images of the lost love become entwined with those of a clown, a figure that is supposed to bring joy yet the sadness and emptiness left by the loved one’s departure has left the protagonist in a dark and morose place of grief.
The lines “Now I’m standing on a lonely corner, never thought my heart could sorrow so”, emphasize the pain he feels in having to face the memories that remain without his beloved. In the chorus, the clown motif is most prominent, with Orbison singing “Why do I have to be a clown? Laughter is just a mask I wear, my tears never show.” The clown symbolizes the outer appearance of the protagonist. He is disguising all his pain and sadness behind a facade of forced laughter, despite the fact that his heart still aches for his lost love.
As the song progresses, the protagonist literally takes on the character of the clown, wearing a suit and mask as protection from reality. He spends his days wandering, desperately searching and longing for his beloved. The last line captures the despair the protagonist feels in being unable to find solace and peace: “There’s somebody waiting, somewhere but I’ll never know.” All he can do is don the mask of the clown and hope that in time, the pain will eventually fade.