Now if there’s a smile on my face
It’s only there trying to fool the public
But when it comes down to fooling you
Now honey that’s quite a different subject
But don’t let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
Really I’m sad, oh sadder than sad
You’re gone and I’m hurting so bad
Like a clown I pretend to be glad
Now there’s some sad things known to man
But ain’t too much sadder than
the tears of a clown
When there’s no one around
Oh yeah baby, now if I appear to be carefree
It’s only to camouflage my sadness
In order to shield my pride I try
To cover this hurt with a show of gladness
But don’t let my show convince you
That I’ve been happy since you decided to go
Oh, I need you so, I’m hurt and I want you to know
But for others I put on a show
Now there’s some sad things known to man
But ain’t too much sadder than
the tears of a clown
When there’s no one around, oh yeah
Just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my sadness hid
Smiling in the public eye
But in my lonely room cry
the tears of a clown
When there’s no one around
Oh, yeah baby
Now if there’s a smile upon my face
Don’t let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
Don’t let the smile I wear
Make you think that I don’t care
Really I’m sad I’m hurting so bad
Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, “Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.” Man bursts into tears. Says “But Doctor... I am Pagliacci.” Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.
People say I’m the life of the party
‘Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I’m blue
So take a good look at my face
You’ll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you, need you
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I’m having fun
Although she may be cute, she’s just a substitute
Because you’re the permanent one
So take a good look at my face
You’ll see my smile looks out of place
Yeah, look a little bit closer and it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you, need you
Outside I’m masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown ooh yeah since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you
Baby take a good look at my face
You’ll see my smile looks out of place
Yeah just look closer, it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears baby, baby baby baby
Take a good look at my face
Yeah you’ll see my smile looks out of place
Look little bit closer, it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
Songwriters
Moore, Warren / Tarplin, Marvin / Robinson Jr., William