About the Song
Conway Twitty’s “The Clown”
Conway Twitty was one of the most successful country music singers of all time. With his smooth, rich voice and his knack for choosing great songs, he racked up a string of hits during his long career. One of his most beloved songs is “The Clown,” a ballad about a man who puts on a happy face for the world even though he’s heartbroken inside.
The song was written by Wayne Carson, Brenda Barnett, Charlie Chalmers, and Sandra Rhodes. It was released in December 1981 as the first single from Twitty’s album Southern Comfort. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, becoming Twitty’s 28th number one hit.
“The Clown” is a classic countrypolitan ballad, with a lush arrangement and Twitty’s soaring vocals. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who has lost the love of his life. He puts on a brave face for the world, but inside he’s dying of pain. He compares himself to a clown, who always has to smile even though he’s feeling sad.
The song’s message is that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel pain and sadness. Sometimes, the best way to deal with our pain is to put on a brave face and pretend that everything is okay. But it’s important to remember that we’re not alone. There are other people who are hurting too. And one day, the pain will go away.
“The Clown” is a powerful and moving song that has touched the hearts of millions of people. It’s a song about heartbreak, but it’s also a song about hope. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone in our pain, and that one day, the sun will come out again.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song was inspired by the death of Twitty’s close friend, comedian Jackie Gleason.
- The song’s lyrics were originally written for a woman, but Twitty convinced the writers to change them to a man’s perspective.
- The song was recorded in a single take.
- The song was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and winning the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.
- The song has been covered by many artists, including Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and George Strait.
“The Clown” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today. It’s a song about heartbreak, hope, and the power of the human spirit.