Everybody Loves A Clown

Gary Lewis and The Playboys' song "Everybody Loves A Clown" delves into the poignant and often overlooked emotional struggles of someone who hides their true feelings behind a facade of humor and joy. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a clown who is adored by everyone for his antics and jokes, yet feels deeply misunderstood and unappreciated by the one person whose opinion matters most to him. This dichotomy between public adoration and private despair is a central theme of the song.

The clown in the song represents someone who uses humor as a defense mechanism to mask their true emotions. Despite making everyone laugh, the clown feels invisible and unimportant to the person he loves. The line "Everybody loves a clown, so why don't you?" underscores the clown's confusion and heartache, as he grapples with the fact that his efforts to bring joy to others do not translate into personal happiness or romantic fulfillment. The repeated refrain of dreaming of love and not knowing where to start highlights his sense of helplessness and longing.

The song also touches on the universal theme of unrequited love and the pain of not being seen for who you truly are. The clown's lament that "a clown has feelings too" serves as a reminder that even those who seem carefree and happy on the outside can be struggling internally. The metaphor of the clown with a broken heart is a powerful image that conveys the depth of his sorrow and the complexity of his emotions. Ultimately, "Everybody Loves A Clown" is a bittersweet exploration of the human need for genuine connection and the often hidden pain of those who bring joy to others.