Composer

:

Stephen Sondheim

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1973

Average_duration

:

3:58

"Send in the Clowns" is a song composed by Stephen Sondheim for the musical "A Little Night Music". The musical premiered on Broadway on February 25, 1973, and "Send in the Clowns" was introduced in the second act by the character Desirée Armfeldt, played by Glynis Johns. The song became a hit and has since been covered by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Judy Collins. "Send in the Clowns" is a ballad with a melancholic melody and lyrics that explore the themes of love, regret, and missed opportunities. The song is written in AABA form, with each verse consisting of two A sections and a contrasting B section. The melody is characterized by its use of descending intervals, which create a sense of sadness and resignation. The lyrics of "Send in the Clowns" are often interpreted as a commentary on the fleeting nature of love and the human tendency to take things for granted. The song's title refers to the circus tradition of sending in the clowns to distract the audience from a problem or mistake. In the context of the song, the clowns represent the distractions and diversions that people use to avoid confronting their emotions and facing the consequences of their actions. Despite its popularity, "Send in the Clowns" was not originally intended to be a standalone song. Sondheim wrote it as a character piece for Desirée Armfeldt, who sings it to her former lover after he has rejected her. The song's popularity led to it being performed outside of the context of the musical, and it has since become one of Sondheim's most famous compositions. Overall, "Send in the Clowns" is a poignant and introspective song that has resonated with audiences for decades. Its timeless melody and universal themes have made it a classic of the American songbook.

More....